Short board or not?

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

Hello everybody my name is Charlie, I am 14 years old, and I live in Manhattan Beach. I have been surfing (Or at least trying to) since I was 7 years old. I used to ride a long foam board but I have just recently started using my dad's old 7' 2" from when he was my age. I can finally catch some waves which I wasn't able to do on my old board. I wanted to ask you all if you would consider a 7' 2" to be a shortboard. If not, what would you guys consider to be a short board? Thanks in advance.

-Charlie

[drowningbitbybit]

if you would consider a 7' 2" to be a shortboard.

Hey Charlie,

Shortboard is partly a shape, partly the length.
But, for me, 7'2 is beyond shortboard even if its a shortboard shape. I reckon 6'10 is about my limit for a shortboard - once you hit 7', its definitely something else.

7'2 is more of a mini-mal - although if its an antique, it might be anything

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

Ya, I think it is probably more of a short board shape but the length is that of a long board like you said.

[IB_Surfer]

Have you been good? If so, Santa can take care of that this winter...

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

Haha, that would be nice, but I love this board. I think it is the perfect size for me to learn how to shred on, and then I'll start downsizing a bit.

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

if you would consider a 7' 2" to be a shortboard.

Hey Charlie,

Shortboard is partly a shape, partly the length.
But, for me, 7'2 is beyond shortboard even if its a shortboard shape. I reckon 6'10 is about my limit for a shortboard - once you hit 7', its definitely something else.

7'2 is more of a mini-mal - although if its an antique, it might be anything

What's a mini-mal?

[jon.biarritz]

A mini malibu. An easy board to surf, paddle and learn on, pretty rounded shape, lots of volume, usually between 7 and 8 ft long, mid-length between a shortboard and a longboard.

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

Oh cool. I just looked at some pics on google and mine looks about the same width, but mine has more of a pointed nose. Hopefully i'll be able to post a pic of it soon. I just haven't gotten around to taking the pic.

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

I'm thinking it might be a semi-gun, but I am not sure. I found this on a website that talks about semi-guns: "Semi-guns fill the gap between shortboards and guns and are basically a longer and beefier shortboard..." This kinda sounds like the kind of board I have. I am hoping to get a picture up so you guys could help me out some more. Usually when I am gonna go surfing though, I am too stoked to remember to bring my camera to take a picture! This is because my grandparents live right on the beach so I keep my board over at their house. Lol. I'll try to get a pic up A.S.A.P.

[sinistapenguin]

I started thinking about cool retro 1970s boards, then realised that you are only 14, which means I'm old enough to be your Dad

In which case it could be late 80s, early 90s which changes things. It would be good to see a pic, but I would guess it's a 'funboard' style - how many fins?

It may be a cool board, but you may find that a newer style board is more suitable - technology has moved on quite a bit. If you want to 'shred' then you could probably use something a little shorter and with less volume.

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

It has 3 fins, and fyi my dad is only 39 so it's not that old considering he bought the board when he was 15. I'll try to get a pic up A.S.A.P.

[Lucd7]

Ooooh he FYIed you sinista.
Seriously tho, a 25 year old board is still pretty old, though I was riding a 10 year old 6'5 board, and it was still pretty awesome.

[Manhattan Beach Grom]

Haha, I don't know why I took that comment so seriously. I just love the board and can't find anything wrong with it, except that I maybe need a new leash. I'll probably end up buying another board in the next 2 years anyway. Sorry it's taking me so long I haven't gone surfing for a couple days now cuz i'm working on a 5 foot halfpipe in my backyard.