Hey guys, I wonder if you could give me your points of view:

Currently I have been riding The Pulse by Webber (6'9, 21, 2 7/8, 41l). I still consider myself as a beginner (can pop up, catch the waves, duck dive, I do struggle a little with bottom turns though), I reckon I've choose the wrong board to start with even it paddles and floats me well.

I am 188cm height, 86kg. What I am looking for is the board for smaller waves 1 to 3 ft that helps me to progress in my surfing level.

What do you think about CI Pod 6'2 or 6'4? What size should I go with. Or my another option would be Dominator 6'4 or 6'6? I am little worried about 6'6 Dominator as it would have more volume and I want to be able still duckdive?
Really appreciate your inputs. Thank you.

As always go see your local shaper
I think off the rack boards are great but only if your dialed in to what board characteristics are suitable for you
This is acquired through many years in the line up
Good luck

I am heavier than you and have a 6'4" POD - paddles me a piece of cake. They are fun boards that have a decent wave range. Especially with a set of bigger fins in them. The Dominators have a nice big tail on them and surf well. I am a firm believer that you can duck dive pretty much anything with good technique. Even those big nosed beasts - just put a bit more pressure on one side of them as you sink the nose and then apply it equally once the first parts gone under.

I would think that he POD is probably better suited to what you are after in terms of wave range but the Dom might give you more joy given your level of experience. I am a firm believer that volume is your friend when you are in your early stages.

Thank you. How about Potatonator. Not sure why but I kinda have my mind set on Firewire boards even though the guys in shop would not really recommend them, well they were sort of like "yeah not bad boards" and they would try to sell me JS, or CI ones instead (im based in Sydney)

I was very close to buying a 6'4 POD because one of the shops had one on sale. One of the locals let me try his out in 3ft. It was OK but I found it a bit stiff. Handled a bit like a cut down Mal.

I ended up with a 6'6 MR Flying Fish. Best board I've ever had.

Just a wee suggestion,

There's a jolly good chance you can get a whole lot more out if the board you have by trying different fins.. Have a chat to a local shaper, and see what they suggest.. Can work a treat

As a beginner who is looking to progress I really don't think the best way is through buying a fish board and relying on extra volume to do all the work for you
This boards are grovellers to be ridden ideally in gutless waves where your normal board would struggle
Great boards in the right conditions but
Nothing wrong with a traditional thruster with plenty of volume, flat rocker and at a length maybe 3 to 4 inches taller than your height
As a beginner i think you can progress a lot faster
You will be learning to generate your own speed, efficient paddling techniques and increased fitness due to surfing a lower volumed board as opposed to a fish

The Flying Fish is not really that "fishy"

Just a bit wider than a true performance shortboard and a bit extra volume in the nose.

I think Flying Fish is just a name.

nice spot there Gwendy - you in the old hospital block?

Perfect

Well spotted Ted

The old saying goes that if a board feels too big to turn you are not yet ready for a smaller board.

Seriously, going smaller will not help you only mean less waves, less fun and ultimately slow your progression. Learn to use the rails, any board will turn.

When you have that mastered and need to turn more sharply you can reduce volume but until then stay on the bigger board.

Select to expand quote

CMC said...
The old saying goes that if a board feels too big to turn you are not yet ready for a smaller board.

Seriously, going smaller will not help you only mean less waves, less fun and ultimately slow your progression. Learn to use the rails, any board will turn.

When you have that mastered and need to turn more sharply you can reduce volume but until then stay on the bigger board.

I don't think you could get better advice than that. Well played CMC