i have a question on what shortboard i should buy. Im a beginner intermediate. Im 5' 9" and 140 pounds. I want a board i can learn turns and snaps on. Im willing to spend up to $300. Any suggestions?
Obviously, a new name brand shortboard is out of your price range, so you're looking for a used board. If you want to learn on a shortboard, I'd recommend a modern fish type board. Look for something that has a relaxed rocker (between 4 and 5 inches... flatter is better) in the 6'2 range. Something like 12.5x19x14.5x2.5 would give you a bit more volume and stability, but you'd still be on a "shortboard" so to speak. Check out Al Merrick's Flyer shapes. That being said, if you're just learning, I'd say the learning curve would be steeper on a 7'6 hybrid, funshape, or big boy thruster. Be sure to stay away from thin, highly rockered, pulled nosed high performance shortboards.
go to a reputable shop, talk to one of the older guys. be honest about your skill level, don't be embarrassed and take in their suggestions. I would want to learn on a board that can help me get up and stand, and learn on for a few seasons before plunking down 5-700 on a new board. Used boards are the way to go. Too many people give up and lose money on brand new boards. 300 will get you a good board. Also check out craigslist. PS--stay out of the inside section
go for 6'0 or 6'1 squash tail around 18.4 inches wide and a little thicker... that will get you going..
That RNF sounds too big for you.... that + a pretty flat rocker doesn't lend itself to learning how to do snaps and such... If your really concerned about learning to turns&snap and stuff, i would recommend getting a board with plenty of rocker... it will be slower, but it will just want to turn more.... when i was learning i found it much easier to figure out turns with a board that was well suited to doing them easily. Flatter boards are really fast, but I've found that they require a bit more finesse to be able to turn sharply.
i was on the chemistry site and i found a board that was used and is $150. Its a Chemistry 6'1 x 18 5/8 x 2 1/4 squash tail shaped by Jason Bennett. Do you think this board would be good for my size and skill level
go to your local shaper and tell him what u posted on this forum, look through the used board section.
Anacapa - its an al merrick shape. About a year and half a go I got a 6'6 for about $300. It was great for learning how to shortboard. They come in a variety of sizes here is an article on it: http://outside.away.com/outside/gear/gear.tcl?gear=Anacapa-Glider&gear_id=4456&action=showgear
