My quiver consists of a 9' longboard and im looking to transition to a short board. Ive ridden shortboards a number of times as i usually borrow from friends but want to get my own. This past weekend i rode a 7'2" out in california which i had no problem balancing/catching waves on. Does anyone have any suggestions for good boards for making the transition to short board? Im 5'10" about 165 lbs so im thinking something around 6'10" or so. Id like something which i can duck dive, but not too short since as i said i mainly ride longboard up till now. Any suggestions on good brands/models or input on size, length, width much appreciated.
go smaller, look around the 5'10 to 6'0 range i would say. no need to go it to wide or think. so maybe 19 1/2 to 20 width and 2 3/16 or a bit smaller on thinkness. im 5'9 175 and i have a 5'10 20 and 2 1/2, and i love it.
Check out the Lost Plank, or Ubber Plank. These things are like long board alternatives and if you order a few inches than you are tall you still have more than enough volume for great wave catching but you can also use this for crap waves and something to play on once you transition to a true high performance shortboard. THe ...lost Plank has a ful round nose but the board works from ankle high to chest high and it turns great for such a full tmplate, perfect transiton board. I ride shortboards, and I am 5'-8" and 160lbs, I have a similar board to a Plank being shaped right now and its a 5'-6 x 21" x 2/3/8". You could ride a 5'-6" but you need more length for the transition so I recommend a 6'-1 ...plank, tons of volumne but will still turn like a shortbord http://www.lostenterprises.com/surfboards/details/the-plank
I agree he could go shorter, based on what would float him. I am 5'-8 160 and I ride a 5-5 and a 5'-9 bt i have been surfing shortboards for quite awhile. So a good tranistion board would be one that he can use on small crap waves after he progresses to a true shortboard. The plank is a perfect shortboard trainer for anyone. I have friends dropping bodyboarding and starting to surf (thank god) and they are rididng Planks with great success. Its not as sensitive as a high performcance short board but the things rip! I love rididng my buddies when we paddle out super fun!
I agree with going shorter than 6'10"... 6'2" or so in a wide fish or plank shape will be good. Dont worry about duck diving....worry about the ride. 21-22 wide and 2.5 - 2.75 thick.
Without knowing too much about you or where you surf, what Scotty said makes sense. I'd stay on the low end of his thickness range, though. A flat rockered 6'2x21.25x2.5 is plenty of volume for someone who already surfs.
You could go shorter but make sure you get something that has volume in it and has a full rail . it will be more forgiving with paddling
