when to get a shortboard?

[going2oz]

This has probably been asked before but here goes anyway -

I am presently riding a 7'8" Aloha mini mal surf board, how do you know when you have reached a level to try out a shortboard?

The issue is that we are going to live in Western Australia in January, do I sell the minimal before going a get a short board when I get there (as i have been infomed that a new board will be cheaper in Oz) or do I pay the excess baggage and take my mini mal with me?

[FishKid Wales]

Sack ther minimal in this country if you feel that youve advanced enough then get a board in oz for a fraction of the cost

[going2oz]

Sack ther minimal in this country if you feel that youve advanced enough then get a board in oz for a fraction of the cost

But what level do you need to have reached to ride a shorter board - I guess they are faster , easier to turn but 'cause of that less stable .

I was at Saunton a couple of weeks a go and got in the water 3 days in a row so got much more consistent - I can paddle out, but still need to build that up then sit on the board. I was paddling into and catching about 80% of the waves I went for - I don't know if this was just me or the fact the conditions were perfect!

Then it's a case of just cruising in turning the board along the face as I go - and trying to carve it harder and tighter on the rails - not easy with a minimal.

I could definatley cope with more speed do short boards become more stable at speed?

I can adjust my position on the minimal to change how it planes but it just feels like a cruiser - so do I hang on to it for smaller waves (not really ever ridden much more than 4-5 foot) or sell it and use the money for a shortie?

I am used to riding boards (skate boards, mountain boards, which can be pretty twitchty over rough terrain - I was an ATB instructor).

I am (5'8") 176cm and about (12 stone) 76kgs - what sort of size would you recomend?

Come on give me some help as my wife is definatley coming around to the idea!

[GowerCharger]

shortboards are not faster by desing in the small waves you are surfing, you have to work them to generate the speed, practice pumping on your minimal instead of just cruzing and it will help you in the small stuff when you get a shortboard.

Why not hire one out for a day when its a decent size (head high+) and see how you get on with it?

[Hadow]

I learnt on a short board and was up and riping in no time. Just buy 1 and get used to it. The fact that you having surfing experience is ideal anyway. What you waiting for?

[dondiemand]

my suggestion would be to get a shortboard, around 6'2", a little bit wider than normal shortboards, maybe 20", and a little bit thicker, say around 2 1/2"..this will feel like a mini mal but will let u make tighter turns..also, get a swallow tail..very helpful in bigger surf..my 2 cents.

[going2oz]

thanks for the reply's guys - I think what I will do is try to get a decent second hand short board when I get to Oz - are they really cheaper out there?

Anybody want to buy a minimal?