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I'm thinking about getting a Channel Islands Mongrel (second one down).
http://www.surfermag.com/magazine/de...hannelislands/
I have been longboarding for a while and tried my brother's Rusty '84 last time I was in baja and liked it alot. These low rocker shortboards seem like a good thing to transition to from longboarding. Any thoughts? Probably going to try to get a big one - like 7 foot ish.
yeah, I'm not sure anymore. maybe this is more your style.
http://www.haggul.com/Product.asp?PID=283091
The above is classic...
Honestly, I dont think the mongrel would maximize your learning curve or be that fun for you. It is still going to operate like a true shortboard in that it will paddle slower, require a solid pump to generate speed, and be more prone to catch a rail (the flip side is that they are fast and responsive... I had one). To transition out of a longboard I would look more at a retro-fish (short, fat, and thick... let the jokes fly). The fish will still be forgiving, easy to paddle, and carry over the flats but will also be a hell of a lot easier to manuever. Just my $.02. Let us know what you go with....
are you talking about a retro fish as in less than 6' 0", or are you saying something like a 6' 6" or 7' 0"?
I agree, the flatter the better. but I've been making a similar transition myself, and an 80s shape thruster seems to have the characteristics a retro fish would have (less rocker, more thickness, more width), with more length and a tri-fin set up that would actually be more similar to a longboard. but I'm not sure though, just know that my '84 has worked really well.
I think a decent thruster, maybe on the big side for your weight would be fine.
I was thinking of a "larger" retro in the 6'2''-6'4'' range... I have mine set up with twin balsa fins in the back that give the board a super smooth feel... Cant go wrong with a thruster either, I just havent used mine much since I got the retro fish. For me it doesnt outperform until you get overhead surf (which this side of the pond doesnt get as often)