I posted a thread some time ago asking for help with getting my first shortboard. I'm in good hands with a local shaper as of today, thanks to all you who shared words of wisdom. My question is, with so many different new boards out there, what defines a standard shortboard (is it the sharper nose and thruster set-up)? And how do you determine the right dimensions for your body size? Is it usually a certain number of inches taller than your height with the width and thickness according to your body weight? I really want to know. It's quite obvious there are several factors here: physique, age, skill level. What is the "formula"? I ask this because... in my quest for a shortboard, I have run into so many board descriptions/reviews that state "This board should be ridden ___ inches shorter, and ___ wider than your shortboard." You can only imagine how helpless I felt each time I saw/heard this.
your "standard shortboard" is what you would ride in absolutely perfect, rippable surf. think good lowers or something similar. doesn't have to be a thruster, but it does tend to have a pulled in, somewhat pointed nose that's usually under 12". the right dimensions have a lot to do w/ what you want to do on the wave... to figure out what you should be riding in any given set of conditions, you have to first know what you want to do on the wave. someone who wants to try to rip the snot out of a small wave is not going to choose a retro fish or a mini simmons any more than someone who wants to glide or cruise is going to pick a hpsb. also, there is no "formula". it depends on all those things you listed, plus personal preference. if you take 2 people w/ the same skill set, body type, age, & goals in surfing, you will get 2 people w/ possibly vastly differing ideas on what the "right" board is for them. some people like more volume, some like less. some prefer round tails, some like squash. to my mind, the greatest thing that's becoming widely used to help determine what's right for each individual is volume. the volume of a given board, whether it's measured in cubic feet or in liters, tells me more about whether a board is the right size for me than just looking at the dimensions. being 6' tall & about 200lbs, i know that a board around 33L is going to float me, regardless of the dimensions. it could be 6'4"x19.5"x2.5" like my roberts black thumb, 6'3"x19.75"x2.625", 6'8"x19.25"x2.5, or 5'10"x20"x2.5" & as long as i know that volume # is around 33L, i can know w/ absolute certainty that the board will float me. i may not like the board, but it won't be b/c the board doesn't float enough for me. that said, 33L is where i keep my better wave boards...boards i ride when it's chest or better. smaller than that & i like a little extra float, so i bump up to 35L, give or take. sure, i could still ride boards at 33L in small surf, but i know i'm going to have to work a lot harder & probably end up more frustrated than if i go w/ higher volume.
yeah you have a hybrid shortboard which you tend to ride shorter and wider than a high performance shortboard..
Thanks for the valuable info. Yea, I've noticed some companies specifically mention the volumes of their boards. And a buddy of mine told me that I should be okay with around 30L. I'm 5'9" 168 lbs. Hopefully he's correct in his assessment.
3OL? no way. I'm 5'10'' 175-185 and all my boards are between 28.5-29.5 sorry missed the first shortboard part ....check these though for board volumes... http://cisurfboards.com/suggested_boards.php er'ybody copies a lot of his shapes anyway..should give you a good estimate if you know the type of board your looking to get shaped... or just talk to a shaper
Trust your local shaper. If he's any good he'll understand your needs design a board that's right for you to progress with. Volume is a function of rider weight and abililty level... ~Brian www.greenlightsurfsupply.com Shape Your Surfing Experience
Yes I did, Turrtle! Thanks. He is working on it right now, and if all goes as scheduled, the board should be shaped by 10/9. I've been checking his blog www.oakfoils.blogspot.com daily to see if he posted any pics of the board. Super excited.
good move - Wayne makes excellent sticks - straight up guy and follows through on his word. Post a link when he puts it on his blog Jim
