I'm 5ft1 and im lookin at a shortboard what size do i need ?

So you just got three different answers before mine so ill try and give you an all around view. First off we dont have near enough info to suggest a board for you. Weight and wave type/size would be necessary and finally we would really have to observe you surfing to see your skill level. That information coupled with how you like to ride and the type of ride you are looking for would be a good starting place. The thing is, there are soooo many types and shapes of shortboards including but not limited to: fish boards, performance fishes, performance shortboards, and hybrids that it is almost impossible to tell you what to get. For example I ride a 6'2" CI Flyer. A few months ago I had the chance to ride a 5'8" Rusty Piranha. Now you would think that the Rusty would be a lot more difficult to surf and less stable. In fact it was almost easier to surf than my 6'2" and because of its design was capable of surfing smaller waves. It was an effortless transition to this much shorter board because of its shape. My point is, that telling you to get a certain size board is ridiculous. However I understand that at first, boards can seem really overwhelming and you just want a place to start. So what I would do first is narrow some stuff down. First do you really just want a strait up thruster. Point nose, three fins, basically what you see most hot shots riding, boosting airs on, hacking, all that. Or do you want something like a performance fish which will give you more float have a faster, looser feel but still allow you to rip pretty hard. Or do you want something like the Rusty Piranha which is more of a hybrid featuring a wide nose for planning on small waves with a tapered tail to give it some grab and allow for maneuvering but still have the thickness more akin to a standard shortboard, that is too say much thinner than a fish. I would do some personal research within these realms. Look them up online, talk with surfing friends, talk with a surf shop etc. Once you pick a category then assess what type of waves you are riding and your weight/skill. Again talk with a surf shop or surfing friends to get something that is going to challenge you to get better but at the same time avoid frustrating you. At this point you should be nearing a buy. The last step once you have some boards in mind is to go to a surf shop and just pick them up. Hold them, feel the weight, the shape. Put it on the floor and feel how the height relates to your body etc. Honestly if you let yourself I think the right board will just speak to you. I know that sounds a little goofy but every board is different even with the same models. My last piece of advice is get a good brand and not a popout board like BIC, NSP, or 7S. Take your time in choosing, do what you have to to figure out the best board for you, it will be worth it.

Okay definitely don't listen to this Melanie chick. The shorter the board, the easier it is to maneuver. It depends on your skill set and weight. I'm 6' 2" and ride a 5' 9" because I'm only 145 lbs. However, I live in Hawaii and have a 6' 4" board that I use as a step up for when the waves get big, but if you don't have to worry about large waves that shouldn't be necessary. Also it isn't all about length, it has a lot to do with width and thickness as well. You can get away with a shorter board if it is wider and thicker, for example I have a 5' 4" fish that I ride that works real in smaller, mushier waves. Go to a local surf shop and ask because it really depends on your taste, weight, and most importantly, the waves you'll be surfing.

I think it honestly depends on how well you surf and can maneuver a board.. the longer the board the easier it is to maneuver, however, if the waves are big and you're a good surfer, you should get a shorter one. I'm 5'10" and have around a 6'5 shortboard... for your height and experience I would recommend anything 6'0" and under, but I think the best way to find out would be to ask someone at your local surf shop and talk to them about it for a while. Hope I helped.

Listen. AM Photo is not 100% right. But he has the right idea. Mark him "Best Answer"Don't waste time asking this question on line. Talk to your surf buddies, and the folks in the shops where you surf. Discuss your skill, and style and local conditions. We can't do that.

ok people think its all about hieght, its really not! its about weight. im 15 and i way 112 pounds and i use all kinda of sizes! my boards range from 5 ft (really hard) to 12 ft. yea 12! super long and heavy. go to a good surf shop around where u live and ask them about good beginer boards, they should be able to help u depending on ur weight. surf is not like basketball its not the height haha its all about the weight.