Comments on: In surfing, can you ride performance fish surfboards on big-ish waves as well as small ones, if not why not?

By: Boring

Boring — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:53:59 +0000

the reason why fish are good for short/ small waves is because they have a crazy amount of speed. think about it for a sec for a small wave you don’t have much time to do what you usually want to do so id you get more speed you get more time. the limitations to performance fishes is that they float….. a little to well… need i say more

Oh that’s a positive for small waves. limited to small or plain bad waves when you cant catch them on a regular board.

Also i dont like john’s answers cause they are all automated like he pastes them from his word document then presses submit without fully understanding what the person is asking.
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By: Fred

Fred — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:33:59 +0000

Since it’s your first board, I’d think about that word "performance." Generally, for a first board you want something with lots of float that will paddle and catch waves easily. It should be wide and thick. Generally, a fish works well in smallish waves, say head high and smaller. An expert can rip big, fast waves on a fish, but for a first board it might not be the best choice.

Most beginners get a longer board, even a longboard, for their first board. Don’t get sucked into buying a performance board before you’re ready for it, like a radical fish or a potato chip thruster that would take a hot surfer to make them perform. You’ll have a lot more fun if you’re getting lots of waves and your surfing is improving than if you’re having trouble because your skill level isn’t up to the design of your board.

I’d buy a good used board at your local shop, then trade it in or get a second board when your surfing gets to the next level.

Hope this helps. Good luck.
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By: impaler19120

impaler19120 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:27:59 +0000

"FUNNER" Don't take advice from somebody who would say "FUNNER"
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By: soli deo gloria

soli deo gloria — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:06:59 +0000

a fish is usually a little wider and there for it will catch a little more air in the drop in than a a sort or gun will and that can be the making of a bad day. it also depends on your rails,rocker nose and fin set up on how it will perform, the best advice and can give you is you can catch a salmon on a trout rod but its a lot easier and funner to catch a salmon on a salmon rod if that doesn't make since to you you can pretty much surf any thing any where but it may be more dangerous or frustrating than fun and isn't that what it is all about
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By: John F

John F — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:57:59 +0000

In most cases, certain surfboard designs perform better (more easily) in certain wave conditions. There are lots of "stereotypes" set in most surfer’s minds, like, "Long boards on small waves" "fish boards in choppy waves", Performance boards on big waves" and Guns on huge stuff". Most of the time, for most surfers, these are true. But, the bottom line is that it all depends on your skill level. I have seen guys carve up thigh high waves on short boards, and other guys rip on overheads on longboards.

I ride my fish in almost everything, but is is versatile, and I have gooten old and slow. But, sometimes when I travel I, I just take my longboard, because of its versatilty too.

Okay, it’s normal to ride a fish a liitle bit shorter than the performance board you usually ride. But, what you need a surfboard that floats you well enough to paddle and catch a wave at your present skill level.

Don’t waste your time on line, we don’t know anywhere nearly enough about you, or where you surf, and we don’t have an opportunity to discuss these things with you. We aren’t your surfing buddies, we don’t necessarily surf where you or know anybody who does. Go to a good local surf shop (or a shop where ever you usually surf) and discuss your options with the folks in the shop. They can give you far better advice than anybody out here in ‘cyberspace’. And remember, unless its all you can afford, don’t buy a sweat shop made board like NSP(http://bp3.blogger.com/_hPACOtZKKko/RkST…

Or for that matter, any popout:
http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

At the shop, they will discuss what you are looking for in surfing, and what works best in local surf conditions. be concerned for size and design, but don’t get too hung up on "big name" brands, there are tons of great local shapers out there. And, every decent shop has plenty of used boards or boards on consignment for sale.

Be careful about taking on-line advice from kids who may know less about surfing than you do, and the internet phonies.

Anybody who recommends a specific size or design of a surfboard to a stranger on line is foolish. Anybody who would take that advice is MORE foolish.

Good luck with your selection. I have been surfing since 1966, and it has been a lifetime of fun for me
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