What's up guys.... I know there are several posts in the past already about this topic, but I'm looking for advice on getting a new, shorter board. Looking to move down from my 8'. I'm about 5'9", 195. So I hear a fish might not be a bad idea? Maybe 6'10"? Thruster? But then I hear that fish aren't the greatest in overhead surf? I'll be keeping my 8' for the mushier and smaller days. Any suggestions? Thanks.
My advice is dont sweat overhead surf if you're just trying to move down from an 8 foot board to an everyday short board. We only get it good and overhead a few times a year so pick your board by what you'll be riding it in most of the time, not the rare exception. Based on your size, if this is your first board shorter than 8 foot then yeah a full volume (20+ inch wide) 6'6" - 6'10" sounds about right. Fishy shapes are cool and make the transition to a shorter board easy cause they paddle so well. Most companies make some kind of swallow tail funshape and if you do go with seom kind of big board id stick with 3 fins.
Scotty, thanks for that info. Do you think it's tough to duck dive a 6' 6"-6'10" fish? Also, do you think a swallow tail or squash would be better in my situation on the Jersey Shore?
6'6 is possible, 6'10 you need some GOOD weight to do a substantial duck dive. i'd say swallow from what i know. any jersey guys wanna weigh in?
Depends on the with. i'm 6 1 and 180 and i mostly ride either 6 2x20 or 6 4 x 19 shortboards. a 6 4x 20 should work well for you.
Years ago when I wanted to step down from 7'6" I went to a 6'2" x 20 1/4" x 2 3/4" WRV fish. It was a rather easy transition and to this day I still use that board when it's tiny and mushy and other guys are longboarding. You're about 25 - 30 lbs more than I am so I'm guessing you would want to go up a few inches. Maybe 6'4" and you could probably still duck dive it rather easily. You'll probably be good on that board up to about a foot or so overhead.
Really? i would say to go the other way. not to contradict anyone, but a 6 4 fish seems to big for a fish, even if coming from an 8 0. I do agree with a 6 0 - 6 2 fish for a transition board (i personally used a 6 1 kg quad to transition from my 9 6 robert august and it felt really good.) I would be afraid to go shorter with a fish, than you would a thruster. and its def a great shape to transition to shorter boards.
Dilemma Hey gus, so now I'm in a dilemma about getting a new board. I'm thinking about a 6'6" X 20.5 X 2.5 squash tail. I weigh about 200, 5'9" tall. How much of a difference do you think a 6'8" X 21.25 X 2.375 swallow tail will make? I'm keeping my 8' board, so this new one is really for the days where it's chest to head. But I want to make sure that this board will float me on the smaller days as well. Any thoughts between these two options? Also, the 6'8" is a Ron Jon. Anyone know anything about these boards? Thanks.
Not meaning to jack your thread here bro but, I am 5'8" 170 and was wondering what you guys think about a 5'6 x 20 x 2 1/4 and am currently riding a 6' 1" thruster. My question: Is this too small for for my weight?
If you're getting a fish, you can use it and have fun from thigh-high up, you don't have to wait for chest to head-high to break it out (that's when you break out the shortboard)
