looking for some input on what size my standard shortboard should be. I'm 6 feet and about 175 and a intermediate surfer. appreciate the help
ya it varies for everybody. Styles, and approach can make two equal sized people ride two completely different shortboards. I for example ride a 5'7 x 19" x 2 5/16" -25.9 lts. But im also only 5'9 155-160lbs. I havent ridden a shortboard over 5'8 in a few years.
there IS a standard sb and simon anderson either invented it or popularized it. its called a squash-tail thruster, about 6/2 the norm. the reason its the 'gold standard' is that on surfings' evolutionary tree its branch is thicker. another way to look at it is when heavy competitive surfers draw kelly in a heat which board do they choose? most - not all - but most choose virtually the same thing.
I'm close to your height and weight...I had a CI proton for a long time that was incredible! Dims were 6'1"x18 5/8"x2 3/8". That board is a true hpsb....rarely rode it though in NJ as I would usually opt for something with a flatter rocker...until it was head high+.