For NJ/East Coast surfers, should I spend money on a Fish over a long board?
Question: For NJ/East Coast surfers, should I spend money on a Fish over a long board?
I’d like to get some input before I head to the surf shop. I’m in NJ, have been riding a 6’6 thruster for all size waves, recently bought a 7’6 fun shape to act as my “long board” for smaller waves. I never rode a fish shape before, but have heard they’re good for smaller waves. How small? I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone riding one in knee high waves, mostly always long-boards. Are they hard to pop-up on? I usually take off behind the wave as opposed to taking off right as it’s about to break. I’d assume on a fish this cannot be the case since the board’s so small?
For smaller days when the thruster is no good, should I be paddling out on a Fish or long board? For anyone on the east coast or in NJ, what do you ride when the waves are small?
Answer:
Answer by John F
That’s a tough question. I surf lots of different east coast breaks, and I ride all of the above (although my thruster is a 7’6″!). The ride you get from a fish is a lot looser and maybe just a little bit harder to control than either a longboard, or a funboard. Actually, since I got my fish, I have pretty much stopped riding my funboard, but I still have some fun real little ankle slapping days on my longboard. It is sort of a ‘performance’ longboard, and not ‘loggy’ at all.
I really love my fish. It’s custom made and a twin fin, so it’s not an off the rack model. It has lots of foam and a nice wide swallow tail. I ride it in some amazingly small stuff. It’s a much different ride from my longboard, but it paddles and takes off just as easily. I did rip out a fin box riding it too shallow on a tiny day, something that wouldn’t have happened cruising with my longboard. My suggestion is “go for it”. Just shop around and make sure you get one that is wide enough and fat enough for you and you’ll get the most versatile ride around.
Just one other thing, I have ridden my fish on some overhead days and it is just as good when its big. After 43 years, I think it is the most versatile board I have ever rideen.
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Read MoreWhat is the correct size fun board for me? Surfboard?
Question: What is the correct size fun board for me? Surfboard?
I recently moved to Hawai’i from California, and its been probably been 10 years since I last surfed. I would like to get back into surfing again and I have heard a “fun board” is a good way to go. I am 24 years old and am 6’5″ at 220 lbs. with size 14 feet. Just looking for a good round dimensions I should be looking at? Mahalo!
Answer:
Answer by Tyler
Meh, I’d go with at least a 9′ longboard not a funboard (longboards are more fun than funboards), but that’s just me
Go to your local surf shop and talk to the guys there about what they’d recommend for you based on where and how much you’ll be surfing
Read Moreshort board help??!!!?
Question: short board help??!!!?
I’ve been trying to pop up on a short board but when I try, my knees are on the traction pad, and since its wet its hard to pop up. When my knees are on it, my knees get “tractioned” on the traction pad, so I can’t move them forward.
How can I pop up without my knees getting “tractioned” so I can slide them up.
Anything will do (except for “get a new board”, or “just surf longboards”.
Thanks 
Answer:
Answer by naniekso
practice on land more often. It takes a while before you acctually stand on the board from your knees. Its an instinctive thing to get on your knees first. it just takes time and practice. The more pop ups you do , the better you will get at it. how short is your board by the way?