Fish vs Funboard

[Adrenaline Fueled]

Well, I'm hopefully going for a new board soon, got a lil bit of money saved up, and was wondering what to go for. I really like the idea of getting a fish (surfboard, not pet!). I saw a few people out on the weekend on fishes, and they looked fun and speedy, but I've read that they are for advanced surfers and I'm worried that I'm not yet ready for it.
Alternatively, I've read that retro funboards are good for the beginner/intermediate surfer, and will catch almost anything, which would come in handy around here!

I'm currently riding a 7"2 mini mal popout.

Quick replies appreciated

[kitesurfer]

Retro fishes are awesome fun to ride but not the easiest of boards to ride.
Not sure what kind of board u mean when u talk of a retro fun board. U got a link to a photo of one??

KS

[Adrenaline Fueled]

I'm just going by the site descriptions , but here's what I'm trying to decide between:


.. Although there are different variations available obviously....
Hope that makes things a lil clearer....

[kitesurfer]

Ahhh reaper surfboards.
Out of those two boards i reckon the twin fin fish will be the easier to ride.
Is the retro funboard a single fin by any chance and how long is it?

KS

[northswell]

Whats the cost too, do you really want to ride an out dated mode of transport. The whole retro thing seems a little silly to me, it may be ok if your loaded and can afford another board in your quiver, or a real soul surfer, but why else would you want one?

[Adrenaline Fueled]

The costs are roughly the same, roughly £250. Hmm, aside from the whole retro thing then Northswell.... I gathered that funboards were easier to ride than fishes? And all in all, im more interested in having fun on a board than anything else. Im not about making a statment, whether it be a pro or retro. I just want whats best for me.

[fiend]

Have you thought about moving into a thruster? Don't know how tall/heavy you are, but something in the 6' to 6'7 range.

You've already got the 7'2 for less than ideal conditions so I'd personally move into something that'll feel nice on those average to good days and help you move into that next level.

My thought is to get comfortable on the thruster so that if you buy a fish in the future you'll be able to milk it on those mushy days.

All-Round Shortboard
5'10 - 6'6 £245

Max width 20" 7/8
Max thickness 2" 7/8

Reaper all-rounder shortboard is for intermediates to advanced an excellent first shortboard, slightly wider and thicker, perfect in smaller surf, very fast.

[RJD]

"is for intermediates to advanced an excellent first shortboard"

Huh?

[fiend]

Yeah, I just re-read that... I guess they consider you an intermediate surfer if you're moving into a shortboard?

[surfsc77]

get a retro fish. i want one, they look like fun and a good cross between the two options your looking at. your gonna be so happy going from a pop out to real board it wont matter what you get.

[gdude335]

i wouldnt get the funboard because your minimal is kinds like one.
i personnaly would go for a shortboard.
also, the leap istn that hard.
i leaped from a bic 7.3 that i rid for2.5 weeks everyday to a spider 6.6 shortboard, at the end of one session i was standing up and not falling down

but the fish is nice, i would recommend a thruster

[Jimi]

heh, I don't think moving to a shortboard makes you an intermediate surfer, but it'll deffo help you get better quick.

I was tossing up between fish and thruster, and am so glad I got the 6'6 thruster.

I turned out I got a genuine 1978 retro fish for $10 a month after I got my brand new thruster, and it is so much less maneuverable than the thruster that I don't think I'll ever use it... except on days that I'm afraid to damage my good board.