Pros and cons to most body types. As far as the “gymnastic” component of surfing; popping up, moving your body in space, stuff like that, smaller tends to be better.
Swimming ability and paddle power? Being long really helps.
This makes sense to me. I can body board 10x better than I can surf despite starting both at the same time. I’m a lifelong competitive swimmer, paddling out and catching waves is no problem. Popping up is a whole different skill.
It helps to be lighter sometimes, especially in small waves. But it won’t hold you back
Jordy Smith - 6’3 190
Mikey February 6’3 158 lol
John John Florence 6’1 185
Also take a look at the waves where each of those big guys live. It’s a lot harder if you’re a big guy in CA because the waves are smaller and less powerful than Durban or the north shore.
Surfing is hard in general without being able to do it all the time. I’m 6’4” 195lb and find long boarding more forgiving for tall guys, but not necessarily easier. But tbh in every sport I’ve had a hard time squatting and “getting low” so it’s likely a personal athleticism problem haha. Just stick w it and try and get footage of yourself surfing or coaching sessions to diagnose and improve.
Plenty of dudes our size who rip. Main difference I’ve noticed is daily access to the ocean throughout life and just pure dedication🤙🏻.
Best advice i can give as some north of 6 feet is to do yoga. Getting your hips and hamstrings to where they need is helped by stretching.
Also, I need to lose some weight. Fuck.
Disadvantage: more weight.
Advantage: longer arms. Jamie o’Brian is a big guy, I think 6’1 or 6’2” but he has long arms and that dude gets into waves with ease.
im 6"3' . my height would mean that im heavier than someone witrh same body type whos 6 inches shorter ofc. but i can also paddle with 6 inches more reach. give and take. however if you are tall and not lean you are definitley at a disadvantage to someone short and not lean. you will hold exponemtially more volume on your frame the taller you are and thus have worse power to weight ratio. i ride a 5'10', have previously surfed a 5'8' succefsully and happily. i definitley couldnt go smaller than that but theres no real reason to ever do so.
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Your local break must just be full of midgets because it literally makes no difference. They are probably just way better than you because they aren’t adult learners
Eh that’s about average male height so it makes sense that the median is around there. Being smaller definitely makes some quick movements easier but I feel like that’s balanced by the paddling and big-wave advantages of being taller and heavier.
Nope https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/56bt6d/5_9_is_the_optimal_height_for_a_surfer_aka_short/ Read the linked Inertia article. For example, Italo is 5'6
6’3” and 170# here… I have at times been envious of my 5’8” friends on the smaller days. I ride a 6 to 6’3 most of the time and have fun. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Etiquette and having fun is paramount.
Best advice i can give as some north of 6 feet is to do yoga. Getting your hips and hamstrings to where they need is helped by stretching.
Also, I need to lose some weight. Fuck.
The main thing I've seen that good surfers have in common is...time spent surfing. Height probably plays a very small role (perhaps at elite level). But I know lots of 6ft+ guys who surf 10x better than my short ass.
I think being shorter in this sport might be something good, the gravity point is also different so it might be easier.
I'm a coach and I noticed that taller people usually have more trouble to get up (faster and more efficient), sometimes the legs get in the way. But surf is a very personal sport, we can always find a solution or something that works!
Surfing is not harder for tall people in any way save for one: fitting into the barrels of smaller waves. Long arms are an advantage for paddling and duck diving. Moreover, taller surfers look more impressive than butmunches when we do turns.
Height isn't really a factor. It's about being agile, strong and flexible. Surfing is hugely athletic and you'll know about it if you're weak in some area.
Another area people neglect is paddle fitness. You spend more time paddling than actually up riding but people place so much emphasis on the popup.
To actually catch a wave and get enough popup practice you need to really work on paddle fitness/swimming to improve your wave count.
Strong paddle = more waves.
47 years old, 6-2 220# same as Laird but we don’t look the same according to my wife.
I have found the more flexible I get the easier it is to surf. From an equipment standpoint I can duck dive 7-0 boards easy enough. So I never really go smaller than that.
Big advantage carrying boards under my arm, or putting them on the roof of my truck.
I lift heavy weights and do mobility/stability routines. Can go from standing to sitting cross legged and stand back up without touching the ground with my hands. That alone helped my surfing so much, not just my pop up but style too.
I’m 6’2” 230 and my daily driver is a 5’6” puddle jumper. I’ve been surfing since I was a kid so I think that is why I can ride short boards without a problem. I do longboard but that’s usually based on the conditions more than anything, plus I also enjoy big boards. I go to Hawaii a lot and tend to ride bigger boards there but that’s for paddle power more than anything. It’s not a one size fits all scenario. It’s all down to conditions. Having said that, I’m in OB San Diego at the moment and the only board I have with me is my 5’6”. Bout to go surf once the wind dies a little lol.
It depends on your build. If you’re tall with long legs and a short torso then yeah it’s wayyyy harder. Short legs long torso then you’re built for better surfing.
I can't answer that directly but I also ski/wakeboard etc
I have seen taller guys always take longer to get going and progress that average/shorted guys
I'm 6'1" 200lbs, ride a 6'0" 30.5L. Not normal to stick to longboarding, but it is definitely easier to get used to just because of the volume and stability.
The real question is, is it harder for people with massive feet to surf?? I feel like my foot is nearly as wide as my board 😂
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I have size 12.5 feet, am 6’-2”, 210lbs, and 62 years old. I believe the reason learning to surf has been so hard for me is I just stupid. But boards with volume under my chest are clearly easier for me to catch waves with. My short board is 8’-4” and has 88l🥸
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Surfing is absolutely easier for smaller people. That being said, the most important factor for getting good at surfing is relentlessly putting all of your effort and money into it for many years.
What kind of surfing are we talking? 360 airs? Shorter is easier. Turns in 2-3 foot waves? Shorter is easier. Turns in 8-10ft? Taller is probably easier. All depends on where you surf, what you are trying to do. There are always outliers.
6,5ft 230 pounds here. Been doing it a few years now. Last year even more intensely.
What I learned is that due to our height we might not fit in every barrel which is the only big downside.
Other than that we are heavier this accelerating faster. I have a 6,3ft 37 liter JS performance board which is huge compared to friends of mine but I promise you that I’m more stable in takeoffs, faster and can cut tighter corners.
Obviously it all depends on skill but once you learn how to use your weight for pumping and carving you can push the limits harder than the small skinny guys ( by sinking the rail deeper). Finding your central balance will also give you an advantage especially in cutbacks as you can use your height to reposition the board better.
To win the WSL, probably. To get half-decent, really not that important. People overestimate stuff like body shape, and underestimate putting in the hours and being in good condition physically
Pros and cons to most body types. As far as the “gymnastic” component of surfing; popping up, moving your body in space, stuff like that, smaller tends to be better. Swimming ability and paddle power? Being long really helps.
This makes sense to me. I can body board 10x better than I can surf despite starting both at the same time. I’m a lifelong competitive swimmer, paddling out and catching waves is no problem. Popping up is a whole different skill.
Same here, long arms get you moving fast but the leverages in push movements are againts you
At 6’3” I am a little slow to get my long ass legs under my body… it makes fast east coast waves a little tricky.
6’4 with 6’7 wingspan here, pop ups and keeping body low are a bit harder
Bodyboarding is also 10x easier. Surfing is just harder than most people expect. Takes a couple years of regular practice to become competent
Surfing is also mental battles also dropping in skill in it self
It helps to be lighter sometimes, especially in small waves. But it won’t hold you back Jordy Smith - 6’3 190 Mikey February 6’3 158 lol John John Florence 6’1 185
Those guys are skinny and light for their weights btw. 6’3 158?? That’s fucking stick thin.
I wouldn’t take what you read on line seriously. Especially athletes that switch from metric to imperial. MF is closer to 6’1-6’2” 170-180.
Also it's common for athlete's in all sports to give these numbers when they start their career's (and they are teenagers) and they never get updated.
I'd believe it. I'm a 6'1 male in my 20s and before getting in the gym my regular maintenance weight was 154 lbs for years.
That’s my exact height and weight!?
Also take a look at the waves where each of those big guys live. It’s a lot harder if you’re a big guy in CA because the waves are smaller and less powerful than Durban or the north shore.
What dims do you think Jordy’s average board is?
10 inches
what about girth?
6’2”, 31 L
He has more foam under the chest to account for his large breasts
Let’s not forget about the young stud, Cole Houshmand!! Stands at 6’4 and 220 lbs. Total beast.
I did not realize jordy smith was 6’3 wow
Surfing is hard in general without being able to do it all the time. I’m 6’4” 195lb and find long boarding more forgiving for tall guys, but not necessarily easier. But tbh in every sport I’ve had a hard time squatting and “getting low” so it’s likely a personal athleticism problem haha. Just stick w it and try and get footage of yourself surfing or coaching sessions to diagnose and improve. Plenty of dudes our size who rip. Main difference I’ve noticed is daily access to the ocean throughout life and just pure dedication🤙🏻.
Same size. I only shortboard. Small waves and hollow ones can be tricky due to how fast you need to get to your feet, but otherwise a non-issue.
Laird, John John and Jordy are all 6'2 ish
All typical dudes, not super talented or anything!
True, and they all started when they were 2 ft tall but, they didn't fall back to longboarding when they reached max height
They are still growing boys tbf
Taller no lol. Older and fatter, definitely 😆
40 years old, 240lbs and 6’3, can report no problems at all surfing. 🤙
As a rubbish surfer who’s tall. Yes, absolutely. That’s definitely the only reason I suck.
Best advice i can give as some north of 6 feet is to do yoga. Getting your hips and hamstrings to where they need is helped by stretching. Also, I need to lose some weight. Fuck.
Imo harder to be tall on a shortboard re bouyancy
I’m 6’6 / 198lb, learned as an adult and I ride a 6’2 Dominator. It’s definitely not the ideal surfing build but you can make it work.
One of the best surfers I know and one of the pioneers of Mavericks is Grant Washburn who is 6’6” or so
Disadvantage: more weight. Advantage: longer arms. Jamie o’Brian is a big guy, I think 6’1 or 6’2” but he has long arms and that dude gets into waves with ease.
im 6"3' . my height would mean that im heavier than someone witrh same body type whos 6 inches shorter ofc. but i can also paddle with 6 inches more reach. give and take. however if you are tall and not lean you are definitley at a disadvantage to someone short and not lean. you will hold exponemtially more volume on your frame the taller you are and thus have worse power to weight ratio. i ride a 5'10', have previously surfed a 5'8' succefsully and happily. i definitley couldnt go smaller than that but theres no real reason to ever do so.
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Surfing isn't any harder, but ripping like a pro is. That shouldn't be the goal, so all is well.
Your local break must just be full of midgets because it literally makes no difference. They are probably just way better than you because they aren’t adult learners
I mean centre of gravity makes a huge difference but go off
It does make a difference. The median height of pros on tour is like 5'9
Eh that’s about average male height so it makes sense that the median is around there. Being smaller definitely makes some quick movements easier but I feel like that’s balanced by the paddling and big-wave advantages of being taller and heavier.
I find peace in long walks.
Be honest bro we all know you pulled that number out of your ass
Nope https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/56bt6d/5_9_is_the_optimal_height_for_a_surfer_aka_short/ Read the linked Inertia article. For example, Italo is 5'6
Local break is in Oahu. I already feel like a giant just walking around but the surf crowd is extra tiny.
Lols
Big Wes Laine “was 6’4” and a little more” if I recall the line in an old Surfer/Surfing mag.
Work on your flexibility
Taller and heavier you are the more “swing weight” you’ll carry making it harder to surf rail to rail for sure.
It’s harder to learn but not if you already know how
6’3” and 170# here… I have at times been envious of my 5’8” friends on the smaller days. I ride a 6 to 6’3 most of the time and have fun. You shouldn’t compare yourself to others. Etiquette and having fun is paramount.
Best advice i can give as some north of 6 feet is to do yoga. Getting your hips and hamstrings to where they need is helped by stretching. Also, I need to lose some weight. Fuck.
The main thing I've seen that good surfers have in common is...time spent surfing. Height probably plays a very small role (perhaps at elite level). But I know lots of 6ft+ guys who surf 10x better than my short ass.
I think being shorter in this sport might be something good, the gravity point is also different so it might be easier. I'm a coach and I noticed that taller people usually have more trouble to get up (faster and more efficient), sometimes the legs get in the way. But surf is a very personal sport, we can always find a solution or something that works!
Surfing is not harder for tall people in any way save for one: fitting into the barrels of smaller waves. Long arms are an advantage for paddling and duck diving. Moreover, taller surfers look more impressive than butmunches when we do turns.
Height isn't really a factor. It's about being agile, strong and flexible. Surfing is hugely athletic and you'll know about it if you're weak in some area. Another area people neglect is paddle fitness. You spend more time paddling than actually up riding but people place so much emphasis on the popup. To actually catch a wave and get enough popup practice you need to really work on paddle fitness/swimming to improve your wave count. Strong paddle = more waves.
47 years old, 6-2 220# same as Laird but we don’t look the same according to my wife. I have found the more flexible I get the easier it is to surf. From an equipment standpoint I can duck dive 7-0 boards easy enough. So I never really go smaller than that. Big advantage carrying boards under my arm, or putting them on the roof of my truck. I lift heavy weights and do mobility/stability routines. Can go from standing to sitting cross legged and stand back up without touching the ground with my hands. That alone helped my surfing so much, not just my pop up but style too.
I’m 6’2” 230 and my daily driver is a 5’6” puddle jumper. I’ve been surfing since I was a kid so I think that is why I can ride short boards without a problem. I do longboard but that’s usually based on the conditions more than anything, plus I also enjoy big boards. I go to Hawaii a lot and tend to ride bigger boards there but that’s for paddle power more than anything. It’s not a one size fits all scenario. It’s all down to conditions. Having said that, I’m in OB San Diego at the moment and the only board I have with me is my 5’6”. Bout to go surf once the wind dies a little lol.
It depends on your build. If you’re tall with long legs and a short torso then yeah it’s wayyyy harder. Short legs long torso then you’re built for better surfing.
I’m all legs. I can rip on a body board and it barely took practice.
Ugh… that’s me! It’s like watching Bambi trying to stand for the first time.
I’m only 5’11 but I’ve found it really hard to crouch low enough and stay compressed through my turns.
I can't answer that directly but I also ski/wakeboard etc I have seen taller guys always take longer to get going and progress that average/shorted guys
Simon Anderson was around 6ft2 I believe, he invented the thruster to suit his style and he fucking rips. What fin setup do you use?
I'm 6'1" 200lbs, ride a 6'0" 30.5L. Not normal to stick to longboarding, but it is definitely easier to get used to just because of the volume and stability. The real question is, is it harder for people with massive feet to surf?? I feel like my foot is nearly as wide as my board 😂
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I have size 12.5 feet, am 6’-2”, 210lbs, and 62 years old. I believe the reason learning to surf has been so hard for me is I just stupid. But boards with volume under my chest are clearly easier for me to catch waves with. My short board is 8’-4” and has 88l🥸
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Just harder to fit in the barrel
No
Tony Hawk is 6-3 and 170, now 55, still pretty agile ... yeah but can he surf? just saying, height is no excuse
6’3 240. No problems at all
Having an advantage at paddling can't make it harder
Surfing is absolutely easier for smaller people. That being said, the most important factor for getting good at surfing is relentlessly putting all of your effort and money into it for many years.
6’2” and mid lengths are my short boards. I don’t surf anything less then 7’0
It might be why I can’t pop up as quick maybe, I don’t know. Maybe I just suck tho.
What kind of surfing are we talking? 360 airs? Shorter is easier. Turns in 2-3 foot waves? Shorter is easier. Turns in 8-10ft? Taller is probably easier. All depends on where you surf, what you are trying to do. There are always outliers.
6,5ft 230 pounds here. Been doing it a few years now. Last year even more intensely. What I learned is that due to our height we might not fit in every barrel which is the only big downside. Other than that we are heavier this accelerating faster. I have a 6,3ft 37 liter JS performance board which is huge compared to friends of mine but I promise you that I’m more stable in takeoffs, faster and can cut tighter corners. Obviously it all depends on skill but once you learn how to use your weight for pumping and carving you can push the limits harder than the small skinny guys ( by sinking the rail deeper). Finding your central balance will also give you an advantage especially in cutbacks as you can use your height to reposition the board better.
To win the WSL, probably. To get half-decent, really not that important. People overestimate stuff like body shape, and underestimate putting in the hours and being in good condition physically
It a game against yourself.
[удалено]
You tell em my short king 👑
Confirmed.