i want a new shortboard...

[broseph619]

ok, right now im surfing a superfish.
its 6'0 and about 22+ across

here's a picture...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x199 ... 457381.jpg

i kind of want an al merrick board just cause i hear a lot of good things about them.
i've been surfing this board for about 3 months and i had originally got it cause i was just learning how to surf, but i think i might be able to go to a more advanced board or i at least want to try.

i've heard good things about the flyer too.

im about 5'10 and weight around 140 or so.

any suggestions?

[naniekso]

try borrowing your friend's advanced board to see what you think, they will give you an idea. I love my fish but i saw its disadvantage yesterday when the front kept on getting stuck in the wave. i need a smaller head lol

[themathteacher]

Dude, at 140lbs you can go a lot smaller, if you are ready for it. Like naniekso stated, borrow a bud's board and give it a whirl.

Since you are transitioning from a big beefy board I would recommend going slightly longer than usual and buy yourself a step-up to transition:

A step-up is the next size up that you use for bigger days. At your size you are probably looking at a 6'0 to 6'1" shortboard, but a step up would be in the 6'3" range.

The reason I recommend this is that the bigger size will make it super easy to paddle and still duckdive much easier than your superfish. Once you get good with that size then go crazy small, and then keep the step-up as your big-day board.

Good luck

[Kamikazesurf]

I agree, I just went down from a 7.3 mal to a 6.4 flyer. I'm about 130lbs only. The board was great in the first few months, and catches the waist swells easier than any other SB-er in the line, as I'm so light.
But its been about 6 months now riding this board every week-end and I've run into a few problems.

1. Duckdiving is a bitch. I was never very good at it from the beginning and Flyer flotation is very good. Just cant get it down properly, or I have to be very accurate.

2. My pop-up has the wrong stance, because its such a big SB, my back defaults almost always off the kickpad, which is a bad habit I developend from the very beginning and I'm having trouble correcting it.

I will keep it for smaller days, but I'm going to go down to a 6.0 as soon as I can get a used one.

[mikepsmith1]

Surfing is a great way to enjoy the ocean, sun and waves. It can be frustrating and even dangerous for beginners who try to jump in over their heads.

Take the time to learn the sport and then enjoy years of fun in sun.

[darcy]

100% agree with MathTeacher. As long as you're honest with yourself about your abilities, I'd take his advice.

[esonscar]

6'2", 19 3/4 at 2.5 should be fine for a while and be good for all surf conditions.