3 Reasons Why Every Surfer Needs A Fish Surfboard

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Mathias Defuse - 4 years ago

Fish as first surfboard? Allready advanced in Skimbaord. Thoughts? Great vid btw buddy ;)

pqhara - 4 years ago

Thanks for the video. I’d like to ask you to explain differences between different kinds of twin fins as well as when it’s better to use a twin, thruster or quads.

How to Rip - 4 years ago

A lot of personal preference involved with this one. I suggest trying them all and seeing what you like!

Marcus Louie Vega - 4 years ago

Im 5'9 180lbs and the smallest fish ive used with ease is a 5'10. Do you think i can jump into a 33L 5'6 fish? I will wait for your thoughts before i buy it! Thanks brother @howtorip

Marcus Louie Vega - 4 years ago

@How to Rip my home break is under a flat spell... i have more time to think about it. Thanks for the tip!

How to Rip - 4 years ago

Hey Marcus, provided the volume is slightly higher than your normal shortboard, than it shouldn't matter. Even a 5'2 fish that was 33lites would work...Does this help?

Ricardo São Simão - 4 years ago

Very confortable in my longboard, decent trimming but want to do some cut-backs and started to look for a fish.
But what about the volume? Need it to 3-6feet surf. I´m on my fourties. My height is 5.8 feet/weight 154 lb. Still fit!

How to Rip - 4 years ago

Tough to say, but perhaps 28Litres! There are lots of variables Ricardo, it is hard to say.

Daniel Boardman - 4 years ago

Great vid. I forgot how much I love my Sculpt Throwback semi-fish. Surfed macca's this arvo at around 2 foot and managed to get a couple of tail slides off the top. Cheers bro.

How to Rip - 4 years ago

Nice Dan, they certainly can spice things up in those conditions! Stoked it went well

Jason Glover - 4 years ago

dims on your gofish???

How to Rip - 4 years ago

5'3 stock dims

Dylan Carr - 4 years ago

I would love your opinion on what my first board should be. I have been borrowing a foamie for about a month now and am able to pop up and ride unbroken waves most of the time. I am 16, 5’9, and 155 pounds

How to Rip - 4 years ago

Nice work Dylan, check out our video "What Surfboard Should I Ride", that should help!

Carlo Grotti Trevisan - 4 years ago

Hi, I really like the channel but I hate fish surfboards LOL and this video confirm that isn't the board for me and my style.

Will - 5 years ago

New surfer, looking to buy first board. Able to stand up on a 6'5 tri fin in good waves. I'm 6'1. Would you recommend a fish, say a 6'4, or a bigger board for a first purchase?
Love your videos, thanks!

WorkForAvocados - 5 years ago

Will if you’re already able to stand on a 6’5 thruster, I don’t think you need to go bigger. You’d probably love a 6’2/6’3 fish with some volume! Have fun brother

10. comment for 3 Reasons Why Every Surfer Needs A Fish Surfboard

George Beesley - 5 years ago

Shocking amount of adverts boys!

Kevin Bellock - 5 years ago

also the argument why every surfer should own a longboard

Prep Has Fallen - 4 years ago

These guys are so anti-longboard it should be criminal. To be fair they didn't learn to surf as adults so it's not surprising their perspective is skewed. Most beginners cant even pop up on a mid length, let alone a fish. Also the zone of being able to catch a wave and take off on a fish and other low(er) volume boards is so much smaller as board length and volume go down.

Beginners need the largest margin for error (positioning, timing, popup, foot misplacement, accidentally stalling upon takeoff, etc) and these small boards are setting people up for massive frustration and low wave count.

djnandosan1 - 5 years ago

Wich are the dimesions of your board?

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Stock dims on the 5'3, 20 1/4, 2 3/16

Lucas Cheida - 5 years ago

i just ordered a hypto krypto replica because of your videos, can't wait to surf that!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Sounds good Lucas, let us know how they go!

Ho Stevie! - 5 years ago

Cause they funnnnnn

hotdogbeefcake - 5 years ago

What are your thoughts on fish that are 6 feet and longer? Does it maintain the same qualities of a fish at that larger size?

barend - 5 years ago

Great video! Planning to by a fish from watching it. However, what size should I choose? I'm 6'4 200 lbs and surf a 6'2 hypto krypto at a decent level. Keep the same volume, but look for something shorter? Like 5'10 twin..

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Have a chat with the shaper, etc...you are buying your new board from, but I think you are on the right track. If you know your current volume on your Hypto, you can start looking at fishes from different shapers and see what size twin that would work out. Eg: 30litres might = a 5'7 twin for someone, or a 5'5 for someone else.

germanchow1976 - 5 years ago

Yeah, I agree very much. It's good to have fish. I am very happy with mine.

Justin - 5 years ago

The majority of my learning and excelling on a shortboard came from my GoFish. Unless it's 7ft+ I never see a reason I would pull my Sci-Fi out.

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Nice work Justin, it is a fun board

Lucas Mayfield - 5 years ago

i have a 6ft fish. it’s only 2 inches shorter than me and seems to hard to turn. also it’s 21” wide and makes it hard to get that bottom turn and do a snap off the top. do i just need better technique or a smaller fish?

How to Rip - 5 years ago

It's hard to say in regards to your technique, but it sounds like it might be too big.

20. comment for 3 Reasons Why Every Surfer Needs A Fish Surfboard

Jeremy Walsh - 5 years ago

Great Videos, keep em coming!!!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks Jeremy

Dustin Sanders - 5 years ago

I just picked up my first fish! It’s a nasty old board and I can’t wait to try it out.

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Awesome, hope it goes well!

Kzycho Be - 5 years ago

Okay man I gonna have this bloody fish!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Let me know how you go!

Nick Wells - 5 years ago

I’m riding a 7’ 10 funboard and I’m pretty new to surfing. I can pop up and ride straight, learning to trim now. Should I get a fish or am I being too overzealous for my skill level?

How to Rip - 5 years ago

I would give it a few more months so that you are at a point where you can trim comfortably and make small direction changes / turns. Definitely start looking what is out there though!

Jon Horvath - 5 years ago

Can you do a puts and takes of a Fish vs a Mini-Simmons ?

Matthew Wetmore - 5 years ago

My fish has allowed me to be more confident on mushy/soft waves, focus on rail to rail surfing, making sections I would sometimes miss on a shortboard, and overall progression when the waves get good on my shorty. Mines hand shaped by a good friend/local shaper - 5'10" around 3" thick with a step deck. Ride it as a twinny and it's so dang fun. Keep up the videos y'all! Yewww!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Sounds like a fun board Matthew, nice work!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Cheers Romain, thanks for the feedback!

Hugh McKendrick - 5 years ago

This recent inovation of volume in litres for board selection for your bodyweight/ability , I find a little confusing. I would always purchased boards by length x width x thickness. My most recent purchase, 5'11" 37 lts in volume. For my ability, (resonable intermediate) and age, 61, I was assured this was ample volume. I wanted the 6' with 40 lts. Was told high volume, pushing water needlessly when padding.
The problem is I keep going back to my comfort blankets 6'2", 6'4" & 6'6" all with different volumes, the 6'2" has the most volume, a twin fin fish. Was the saleman right ( he had both the 37 & 40 lts in stock ) and I should persevere with the 5'11" ?

Hugh McKendrick - 5 years ago

@Jon Horvath The bonzer and quad were second hand purchases, so what I could find of those designs, compromises and the twin fin was new, what i thought was a small enough board for the type..

How to Rip - 5 years ago

It depends on how those boards feel, the types of waves you are surfing...It is very hard to say. Try them all and see which ones feel best in certain types of conditions.

Jon Horvath - 5 years ago

@Hugh McKendrick I tdef looks like you prefer more volume so just stick with what you like. You also seem to have a pretty large volume distribution if those nums that you calculated are correct. I prefer to have my longest board, the 6'8" step up, with a few liters extra volume 40L for paddling and then I have a 4'10" mini simmons as my groveler with the least volume 37L and one board in between.

Hugh McKendrick - 5 years ago

@Jon Horvath My body weight is 69kgs. No volume is marked on the boards so I have done the maths, 6'2" twin fin 45lts, 6'4" bonzer 46lts and 6'6" quad 37lts, the board I surf most out of the three.
The 37lts board I purchased was a Kelly Slater design Omni. Maybe the salesman was correct, given that I prefer the 6'6" @37lts
Or should I have insisted on the 6' with 40lts of volume, especially coming into Winter in the Northern Hemisphere?

Jon Horvath - 5 years ago

You didn't say what your weight is or the volume of the 6'xx" boards in your quiver? I would think the 5'11" (is it a fish or some other groveller?) would be slightly lower volume than the 6'xx".

Kyle Mc Naughton - 5 years ago

When performing a forehand cutback, why do I keep falling backwards off the board? I cannot progress from this move!

I ride the ahurricane vampire twin fin setup

Kyle Mc Naughton - 5 years ago

@KiwiInKanto Man at this point I am trying everything. I will give this a go and see what happens as this is exactly what is happening!

KiwiInKanto - 5 years ago

i suffered from this very situation i found going into my cutback i would drop my leading shoulder which would lead me to a go to hard on to the rail and end up on my back. i worked hard on keeping that shoulder up as i go thru the top turn ,i kinda tried to lead with my finger tips and not with my elbow( if that makes sense. ne hoo that really helped me to stop falling on cutbacks

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Have a look at other videos in our playlist Kyle, they should help!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Perfect timing Morgan!

30. comment for 3 Reasons Why Every Surfer Needs A Fish Surfboard

Ethan Kirby - 5 years ago

do a why you need a single fin longboard vidoe

How to Rip - 5 years ago

I need one of these first

Laughter Addict - 5 years ago

I'm 6'3" 210lbs. I ride a 6'6" CI Pod Mod all the time. Even on bigger days. Love that board 48 liters of fun

Keith Kovachi - 5 years ago

I have a 5’8” Pod Mod. Great board.

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Nice, the Ci Pod Mod is a fun board for sure.

Valentin BLANOT - 5 years ago

Great video mate couldn't agree more! It also helps you improve your style I reckon :)

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks Valentin, definitely!

Tyler Ohta - 5 years ago

Great vid! Love my keel twin fin. However, not all fish are created equal, such as retro vs modern or 2fin vs quad fish. I feel like I can surf my modern twin in all conditions. Thanks guys!

P.S.Can you do a video on Asyms?

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Yeah good point, they certainly aren't limited to small waves. We will see!

jibmoney - 5 years ago

It will be my next board, thanks.

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Good choice!

Branden Carpenter - 5 years ago

You guys have basically taught me how to surf! I’ve just started this year and following your advice and tips I’ve quickly went from a 9’ foamie to a 8’ fun board to a 6’6” Fish. Thank you so much for helping me get into this sport. It truly is life changing. Keep the videos coming!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Hey Branden, this is fantastic, nice work! That is the perfect way to progress with boards. Thank you for trusting our advice! We are so stoked to hear this, well done. Keep ripping and please keep us up to date with your progress!

Connor Pearson - 5 years ago

You could also go deeper into quad vs twin fishes and keel vs twin fin setups. I personally like quads better. Ask firewire to send you a seaside (for free) lol!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Yeah great idea Connor, I think quads allow you to surf a bit harder on these type of boards. Haha that would be nice

Chad Nix - 5 years ago

I've got a 6'0 RNF Retro Fish from Mayhem and I love it! Thanks for the tutorials guys, its been super helpful!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Sounds good Chad, thanks for your support.

Chad Atkinson - 5 years ago

Is there a reason why you emphasise the Fish rather than hybrids or grovellers?
Do you consider true Fish to only be twin fin setups?

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Good questions. The outline of the board I'm using in this video is certainly more of a 'traditional' fish outline. Hybrids are also great fun in these conditions. Grovellers have their place too, but I think hybrids and fishes offer an experience which is different again. I have surfed hybrids as thrusters and quads, both of these were great also. Best advice is to start trying as much as you can, see what setup works best for you.

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks Lashawn!

Bartez Cabrera - 5 years ago

Thanks for your videos.Helped me in progres.Right size fish is a defo "must have".

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks for your support Bartez, glad it helped!

Jaime Hagadorn - 5 years ago

Thanks Ry. I appreciate the advice. I had been debating on only going down by 1 ft to a 6'6" vs according to the charts the sizes that you mentioned seemed to be the right size for me so I was a bit nervous on what to do since it would be over a foot difference in length. I appreciate the advice. I think I will probably go with the smaller size since I am still getting the buoyancy needed. I have been recommended to a good local shaper so I will touch base with him in the next few weeks to get things rolling so I can have my board in time for Christmas.

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks Jaime, bad luck about the lack of waves this summer. Gender doesn't matter at all in regards to board selection. Factors like your height, weight, ability and the current board you ride are more important. I agree a swallow tail is a great choice for a fish, most models like this have a swallow. I would discuss this with the shaper you are going to buy a board from also, but I would think around a 6'0. A 6'1 in the same model as what I am riding comes in at almost 40litres. That would have plenty of buoyancy for you, but also give you the chance to surf a smaller board with more manoeuvrability.

KOSTAS GOULAS - 5 years ago

i prefer to surf with grovelers like puddle jumper or pukas el locco since i find easier to slide the tail

VJ ILUMINOUS - 5 years ago

Yo man! Nice video, I have a kind of a half-fish, sort of it.
In Brazil we call this fatter boards "Merrequeira" , like, a small wave is a "Merreca" In our coast, most part of summer, we have smaller waves.
I would like to know what´s your height/weight, if you dont mind. I´m buying a new board for summer and this info, and the video of course, will really help to measure (a little better) the ideal sizes for me. Thanks!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks VJ, thanks for the explanation on Merrequieras. 75kg and 175cm, the board in this video is a 5'3, 20 1/4, 2 3/16, 27.4litres. Hope that helps you find a board!

Robin Hewlett - 5 years ago

I've got a fish, I surf it as a quad, is super fast!!! So much fun!!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

What model are your riding Robin?

Jordan Anthony - 5 years ago

I've owned a number of aquariums over my lifetime. Both salt and freshwater and I completely agree with this. Having fish really provides some type of therapeutic effect which translates well into surfing. It may be just having a body of water in your home, teeming with life and prana. Really makes you feel like you're always at the sea even when you aren't. Every surfer needs fish for sure. Mahalo

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Good point!

ewanantilles - 5 years ago

Went from a 9’ foamie to 5’10” epoxy quad fish, 35L. Love it! (We have small New England waves, which is fine for me. I’m 4’8”.) I just can’t turn yet, but am working on it. I wonder if it’s like carving on a snowboard...?

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Nice work, sounds fun. I have only snowboarded once, but I felt like that was quite different to surfing.

James Hall fishing - 5 years ago

Heading to Florida for the Superbowl. Thought I might check out the surf while I'm up that a way. Maybe come back with a fish and a wetsuit. It would be a nice way to start my summer next year. Like the video. Keep making them cause I'm learning a lot.

Quick question. In your video are you describing the fish foamie or fiberglass boards?

James Hall fishing - 5 years ago

@How to Rip Thank you

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks James I'm glad they are helping.The board I was talking about is a fibreglass board, but plenty of people surf the foamie fishes and love them too. Enjoy the Superbowl!

Jordan Anthony - 5 years ago

Олег Colt_ain check your local aquarium store they'll help you out

50. comment for 3 Reasons Why Every Surfer Needs A Fish Surfboard

dfisicaro - 5 years ago

Love the videos, Aussie who started surfing in Portugal , how do you go about working out the best size for a fish board? Or better to go to a store

dfisicaro - 5 years ago

@How to Rip thanks for the suggestions, I'll get some advice when searching for my board, love your channel thx

How to Rip - 5 years ago

I think it is always best to get some advice from a shaper who can dial it in for you. In general though most people will order their fish with more volume than their standard shortboard. If you buy a stock board off the shelf, all the dimensions will be pre decided, so you choose your volume and the rest takes care of itself. Different fish models obviously have different dimensions even with the same volume...Hope that helps?

Liam Kissane - 5 years ago

You should make a vid on quad and thrusters

Liam Kissane - 5 years ago

Thx

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Hey Liam, I spoke about this in a video called "You're Riding The Wrong Surfboard Here's Why".

M. Cantu - 5 years ago

I have 6 fishes. Never going back

M. Cantu - 5 years ago

Jordan Anthony 33.8L in my fav fish. But I also have some that go all the way up to 35L and work amazing

M. Cantu - 5 years ago

How to Rip I have a 5’3 Channel Islands Fish that I am absolutely in love with. It has 33.8L of Volume but I ride even in 2ft conditions. I actually got it because of your how to learn to surf video you guys made years ago

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Which one works best?

Jordan Anthony - 5 years ago

Mauricio Cantu what size is your tank?

Jin Jung - 5 years ago

Watches HowToRip,

Now owns a Smoothstar,
Will own a fish.

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Haha nice work Jin, thanks for watching. Let us know how the fish goes for you!

Jordan Anthony - 5 years ago

Jin Jung if you have a large enough pond try for a Japanese Koi fish

Zak Valles - 5 years ago

Thanks love tg vids

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks for tuning in Zak

tobiasplatzen10 - 5 years ago

Cool Channel

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks Tobias

Zane Fisher - 5 years ago

What board did you use

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Yep it is a Firewire Go Fish

Kid Of Water - 5 years ago

It's the firewire go fish

MyGenericYTC - 5 years ago

Great vid!

Two suggestions for future vids:
1. Step-Ups
2. Big wave surfing

Keep growing the channel!
Safe travels!

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Thanks MyGenericYTC, good ideas!

Jamie Timmins - 5 years ago

Imma get a fish now

How to Rip - 5 years ago

Let us know how it goes

Jordan Anthony - 5 years ago

Jamie Timmins try a fighting fish first if you've never had a fish before they're pretty easy to take care of. Just don't be like the typical buyers and put it in a tiny bowl. They like to have space!!