How to choose the right lenght surfboard

[ss73]

I'm looking at getting my first surfboard, and I seem to like the Naish Custom Fish, either the 5"8 or the 6"0.

I'm 185 lbs, and 6"2'.

Any suggestions?

[JerseyPride]

why do you like it? have you tried it?

[windmaker]

Choosing a board just from the length can be misleading. Width, thickness and overall shape are much more important.

I have had small 5'10''s and big 5'8''s (I weigh 65kg). You could be riding a 5'2'' fish shape in small waves/ light wind or a 7' gun in big waves/strong wind so what you want to use the board for is also very important.
Don't know the Naish boards but as a general rule a bigger board will be "harder" to use with straps (they require more up and down movement of the feet) whereas a smaller board will need more wind.

It's a fine balance and something very personnal. In any case it is better to choose a board too big than too small especially if you are new at it.

[ss73]

Thanks for your help.

I fugure I'll use the board for small waves and light wind.

The Naish boards seem to get very positive reviews, but am open to any suggestions. There are so many boards out thee to choose from...

I just don't want to get a board that I'll need to replace in a year from now.

[jan_hou]

I'm looking at getting my first surfboard, and I seem to like the Naish Custom Fish, either the 5"8 or the 6"0.

I'm 185 lbs, and 6"2'.

Any suggestions?

I had the same question as you about 3 months ago.
I am 154lb and 5'10" and later I bought a 5'7" Best surfboard because my friend wanted to sell it and it was a good price. Now I love it.

If you are choosing between the two, you should definitely choose 6'0 simply based on your weight and size.

[naishdude]

something more than a Year ago, I was looking for a board too, luckly a friend of mine is a well expierienced wave kiter who I think has tried and stood on so many directional surfboards that he might have lost count himself , but he told me , not to go too small in the beginning.

At that moment there was a Naish strapped surf 6"1 in a sale out, he adviced it, because of its easyness, and forgiveness this board has, and really I improved fast, and with its volume and size, you can use it most of the time, also in harder wind. I have 1.77m and 80kg

You can use the board, without pressure in your lines, just let your kite drift with you , as you are surfing even small waves.

The footstraps on it, I only use the front one, with my backfoot I just balance the board so it is not too deep in the water front or back... the backone is only used to make the cutback and in some onhore wind/waves
This said...I would again advice you not to go too small in the beginning, everone is paying "learn" money and may/will buy an additional smaller board afterwards.

Good luck
Frank

[Windrider]

I think the correct formula is 7.2 times the length of the span of your left hand as measured between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when fully stretched. This works for me. I have a 6-foot surfboard based on a hand span of 10 inches..... Of course, if you are using a quad instead of a thruster, then you have to divide that by 1.0746.

[loeuftok]

windrider is right but to be more accurate you have to include the square root of your feet length in the equation to define the width of the board...

[BK]

Ideally, you want to try a variety of rides, either loaners from a shop, or your buddies, before making a decision. If that is not an option for you then you should just start with your best guess and start learning. It's not like you are course racing or going for the speed record, so just grab something and figure out how to make it work. With a decent breeze you can have fun on everything from a wakeskate to a skimboard to a full on surfboard. Those are totally different rides and it is all about getting to know the board and how it reacts to your input. Like the guys are alluding to, there is no magic formula. But there are some basic guidelines so just keep doing your research and make your best guess. Here are some buying tips for surfboards which will help you understand features and benefits of different tails, rails and fin systems: http://www.unitedboardsports.com/surfboard/tips
just be aware that a typical surfboard is not going to stand up to added forces that apply in kitesurfing.