looking for my first shortboard!

[tommmy]

I'm looking for my first shortboard.

Actually the place where I'm surfing now has not much good quality waves.
It's usually small and wide, I don't have many time to go surf.. but I want to start shortboard.

anyway, I'm considering between two boards. and I'm 143lb, 5.6ft

firewire tomo nano - 5.8ft, vol : 31.8
channel island high 5 - 6.0 ft, vol : 35.1

need your help!!!! thx!

[jaffa1949]

Tommy how experienced are you in surfing? If not very then neither board you are looking at is suitable.
With poor quality waves longer is better.
What are you riding now? Or is this to be your very first board?
The only thing that might help us advise further would be your age! The younger you are the more flexible to different options, where you are surfing might help us help you too.
Read through the surfboard advice, there are clues there for you too!

[waikikikichan]

I'm looking for my first shortboard. ....need your help!!!! thx!

Well first, we will need your help in letting us know what type/size board you are currently riding ?

Actually the place where I'm surfing now has not much good quality waves.
anyway, I'm considering between two boards.
firewire tomo nano - 5.8ft, vol : 31.8
channel island high 5 - 6.0 ft, vol : 35.1

Short boards are high performance vehicles for high performance / good quality waves. Not for small wide ( mushy ? ) waves. The Channel Islands High-5 is the more performance oriented version of the Average Joe model. Are your surfing skill that of an “average” surfer or a “beginner-intermediate” ?

[tommmy]

wow thx for your replies!!
Now I'm riding a 9.1 longboard for about 2 years. But I want to start a shortboard even though it's harder than long one, especially in low wave. (2~3ft)
I'm 30 yrs old now, and surfing in Korea. And I think my surfing skill is beginner-intermediate level now.
Because I'm looking for a used board, that's the reason why I put those 2 things on the list. If I put Average Joe on the list too, would it be the best?
thanks!

[waikikikichan]

I think my surfing skill is beginner-intermediate level now.
If I put Average Joe on the list too, would it be the best?

You are not even at the average level surfing range, so why would you get the Average Joe ? If you can’t do a backside turn on your 9’1” then you’re not ready for a 6’0”. If the waves are small wide waist high mush, then a 6’0” short board is not right either.
Why don’t you try turning a 7’6” hybrid first ? Or try borrowing a friends 6’0” ? ( but make sure there’s lifeguards to assist if you need help ).

[tommmy]

thanks. I want more dynamic board than longboard, and want to carry easier in my car. That's why I want to start a short board. I have tried smaller one about 6.8, which was more look like a longboard shape. Riding and take off wasn't that hard at that time.
hmm.. the 2 boards I listed above, first one has a round nose with more relaxed rocker, second one has more sharp nose with heavier rocker... if you recommend between these two.. which is better for shortboard begginer??

[jaffa1949]

Sadly you are going to become a disappointed groveller
, missing waves having to take steep drops ( which don't exist in mushy waves)to take off, the fish shape will be a flounder!
Choosing a surfboard should be to give you good wave catching ability and a board on which to develop your skill.
Less waves means less waves to develop your skill, the rider needs to be dynamic not the board.
Get soft racks, stay long evolve your skills and then when you ride well , then think about going short!

[waikikikichan]

I want more dynamic board than longboard,

What is not dynamic about the longboard you have ? A longboard can be ridden very dynamically by a capable rider. Don’t blame the arrow, blame the Indian.

want to carry easier in my car.

That’s a good reason. We all have limiting factors eg. size of car, size of apartment, elevator, etc. But you should measure the maximum length inside you car and try to get the biggest board possible.

if you recommend between these two.. which is better for shortboard begginer??

NEITHER

[waikikikichan]

surfing in Korea.
Because I'm looking for a used board, that's the reason why I put those 2 things on the list.

You mean there’s used Tomo Nano and High-5s for sale 2nd hand in Korea ? Why would the sellers want to get rid of such nice boards ?

[jaffa1949]

A possible reason for those sort of boards being for sale secondhand, is their lack of suitability for just barely average riders in weak surf!
Cool boards not workable for your level or surf quality!
Sorry but true!