Starting on a fish

[dman1260]

I've been surfing a few times and have been getting into it a lot lately. I'm not ready to buy a board yet and will keep using the rented board that i have been using for a while, but i feel like i am progressing really fast. I want to buy my own board within the next few weeks and after doing some research i feel like a fish might be a good option. I know some people are dead set on a longboard or mini-mal, but I would like something with a little better turning ability. That's where the fish comes in. I know they are much wider and thicker than your average shortboard so i feel like they would yeild the boyancy i probably need, but also the manueverabilty i will desire in the future. They will also do well in the mush from what i have read, which is something i will need in certainn parts of the year. Also, for reference, I'm not a small guy - 6'1" and 200 lbs (not fat at all, just a strong, solid build). For all you experts out there, is this a reasonable assumption or will getting a fish make learning too hard and frustrating? And if its ok, what lenght fish would you reccomend?

 

[Mooose...]

starting with a fish is actually a pretty good idea if you are progressing fast. you are right, they are more stable and are much more agile then a mini malibu. however i would recommend that you start out with a fish that is a little on the longer side, like around 6'10". that is short enough to be easily manuvered and long enough to be a little easier to get up on.

 

[the-big-lepowski]

Dude, first off, you don't have to justify your weight. As for the fish, go for it. I had a plastic bic board first, a 6'7". It was an indestructible tank, plowing over rocks, but was really only good for my first season. I got a 6'0" LOst Round nose fish after that and love it. It's extra buoyancy helps you catch more waves, the added width is better for beginner stability and my swallowtail lets me turn really well. At your size, you should defrinately get a bigger board than mine, but this design can catch knee high-waves to head and a half is about the biggest I've ridden it on. It loses a bit of performance with hurricane monster swells, but overall a great on-quiver board.