Fish size for a beginner...???

[DavyJones]

I am a beginner surfer and have surfed only once on a friends shortboard. I caught my first wave after about 35-40 tries...actually I don't recall how many tries it took (might of been more) but I remember it was a LONG time and we were out there the WHOLE freakin day.

I have been snowboarding for 4 years now and skateboarding on/off for almost 15 years. I have 100% confidence in my muscle memory and believe I can apply the same muscle memory and concepts over to surfing. I also consider myself a fast learner who does not quit and "visually" prepares himself for anything..."think it, feel it, do it".

In my opinion...I believe I can start on a Fish as my beginner surf board rather than a longboard. The above concept is my number one reason to skip a longboard and head straight into a fish. I am also picking the fish over the long board because of size issues (car/apartment).

I am 5'4" and 155 LBS.

1) What is a good Fish size to start at based upon my stats?
2) Whats the shortest fish I can surf without it hindering my learning curve?
3) I have small fat feet compared to my height. US Mens size 7. Will this be a problem? ex. Transitioning from rail to rail.
4) Should I go modern fish or retro fish?

Thanks for the help.

[DavyJones]

Brand suggestions Please???

Been looking at LOST, Channel Islands Al Merrick, Sharpeye, Firewire, EDIT and RUSTY.

Which ones are considered high end? Low end?

I consider myself a humble person that wants to surf cuz its fun...not because its cool, gets the babes or money. In that sense...I want to support the little guys in the industry and not so much the top dawg brand...so...Which ones are "low key" brands?

Any local shops that do custom boards?

[Jimi]

Hmmm.... I appreciate the muscle memory concept, however I'm gonna just say that no matter how awesome a learner surfer you are, you are still a learner. Muscle memory is fine once you're taking a drop and standing up, but it does nothing to prepare you for the paddling balance, the wave selection, the front/back foot positioning you need, and the ability to stand on something that constantly moves and changes (a mountain doesn't close out on your head).

If you want to learn fast, get an 7 1/2 or 8ft mini-mal or at least borrow one for 6 months. If you REALLY can't get a mini mal or a log, then get the widest longest board that you can fit in your car. If you won't heed this advice, then do NOT get a retro fish. Make sure it's a thruster with a little tail rocker, and make sure it's more than 6ft...

As for your other questions - Brands are largely irrelevant in a 2nd hand board, since you need to look at the condition first and foremost.

Size of your feet isn't an issue - the board is gonna be wider than your feet are long, so no issues there.

[Jimi]

Oh, and if you're buying new, then I would highly recommend you have a chat to a local surfboard shaper (of course this depends on where you are) to suss out what to get. Buy off the local shaper to support the local business if you can afford to, and you'll get a board that is unique to you!

[IB_Surfer]

I am 5'4" and 155 LBS.

1) What is a good Fish size to start at based upon my stats?

6'3 x 21 x 2 3/4 as a begginer

2) Whats the shortest fish I can surf without it hindering my learning curve?

above, you will surf shorter once you are better, but start with a bigger size as a begginer

3) I have small fat feet compared to my height. US Mens size 7. Will this be a problem? ex. Transitioning from rail to rail.

Not at all

4) Should I go modern fish or retro fish?

Go retro as a begginer, later you can keep it as your small wave board when you buy a higher performance board

[tony g]

I would try to go and rent or demo a fish from your local shop to get an idea on how you will do on a fish. This way you will know for yourself, and can make a better informed decision before buying.

[whiskeyking]

DavyJones I'm bit bigger than you ( 6'2" 190lbs) and I ride a 5'10" Fishcuit by Al Merrick. Probably wouldn't recommend it for a beginner but it a great board for summer swell. For you I think you'd be fine with something around the 6'3" mark like themathteacher suggested. You'll learn much quicker on a larger board and you can always sell the older board for a bit of a loss. But it's worth picking up a larger board just to learn on. A good friend of mine is learning to surf and he's been trying to go out on a performance short board. Looks like a drowning cat out there.

[Seyrnahd]

If you are fit and have some board/balance experience then there is no reason why you cant start on a shorter wider board - i would avoid the retro twin fishes ( i will explain). However it is much easier to get your balance on a longer/wider template. Its actually much harder to catch a foam (whitewater) on a smaller board. That is where you start learning. Not much point in attempting real waves until you learn how to pop-up and balance. Feel free to though, but everyone i have seen from experienced skaters to snow guys just got carnaged in real waves, and one of em ended up getting rescued a case of getting to far ahead.

past board experience will help for sure. But regardless you will still be a complete beginner. the only diff is that you will have a much better concept of what to do and later that will come into play much more. Its a bit like if you are a guitarist and go to learn the flute. they are both musical instruments but their dynamic is very different.

As for board types. Fishes are somehwhat generalized these days. seems like anything wide and short is regarded as a fish. But to just throw some warning a retro style twin fish or anything twin fin will be squirly and unstable for you. Go for a tri fin. as for size i agree with what others have said.

No point in getting a custom or brand new anything. Go second hand as anything you get will take a beating untill you get things sorted.