Fish vs mid length vs longboard: choosing a board for the Gold Coast
Three families of board cover most of what the Goldy throws up. Here is what each one is for, and how to pick honestly.
A fish is short, wide and fast, usually a twin, and best for speed in small to medium surf. A mid-length (roughly 6'4" to 7'6") is the most versatile one-board quiver, easy to paddle and early into waves. A longboard (nine foot and up) is about glide, trim and catching the most waves on small, clean days. On the southern Gold Coast, most people’s choice comes down to one of these three families.
They overlap more than the internet suggests. All three catch waves easily and all three are fun in average surf, which is most surf. But they reward different things. Here is how we explain it in the factory.
First, be honest about your waves
The Gold Coast has two kinds of wave that matter for this decision.
The points. Snapper, Kirra, Currumbin Alley, Burleigh. Long, running walls where a board can be set on a line and left there. Crowded, and often small and soft on the inside.
The beach breaks. Everything in between. Shorter, shiftier waves that stand up and close out, with a lot of paddling between them.
A lot of the time, both are small. Think about the surf you actually paddle out in on a normal week. That is the surf to buy for.
The fish
Short, wide and flat, with a swallow tail and usually two fins. A fish carries its speed through weak sections better than anything else its length.
Our Retro Fish is a homage to the fish outlines of the '80s and '90s. In our own words it has “classic retro charm while delivering exceptional speed down the line for more performance-based surfing.” It is made for waves from about 2ft to 6ft. The Duo is an evolution of the classic fish, a twin pin with a refined tail for an easier transition onto the rail and more control when the waves have power. It has extra thickness through the chest and a flatter entry rocker, so it comes alive in small surf. Twins have their own guide.
How short depends on how well you surf. On the Retro Fish, beginners ride it at their height or taller, intermediates 2 to 4 inches shorter and advanced surfers 2 to 6 inches shorter. Joe is six foot and rides a 5'5".
Choose a fish if:
- You already surf reasonably well and want something fast and loose for small to medium days.
- You surf beach breaks more than points.
- You want a second board next to a shortboard.
If you are still learning to angle your takeoffs, a fish can work, but size it at your height or longer, or look at a mid-length first.
The mid-length
Roughly 6'4" to 7'6", with a rounder nose than a shortboard and more curve in the tail than a longboard. The mid-length is a very versatile shape, and it is the one we would hand to most people who can only own one board.
Our current mid-length is on the mid-length page. Earlier mid-lengths Joe has built include the Rose | Mid, the board he rides himself, and the Duo | Mid, written up in the Mk.6 case study.
The Asym | Mid gives each rail its own job, for waves from 3ft to 6ft. On your heel side a pin outline gives hold through turns; on your toe side a longer, swallow-like outline keeps your speed along the face.
Choose a mid-length if:
- You want one board for nearly every day.
- You surf the points and want to get in early without riding a log.
- You are coming back to surfing, or moving on from a soft top.
- You are a shortboarder who is tired of missing waves.
The longboard
Nine foot and up, with a wide nose and a lot of foam. A longboard catches the wave before it has properly formed and turns a knee-high day into a session.
Our Nude | Longboard is a contemporary take on the classic design. It has a nose shaped for noseriding, a full rolled belly from the midpoint back to a squashed tail, and 50/50 rails that keep it lively. Joe has shown it at 9'4" x 23" x 3". It is for all conditions and for beginner to advanced surfers.
Choose a longboard if:
- You love small, clean point surf and want to walk the board.
- You want the highest wave count of anyone in the water.
- You are learning as an adult and want the most stable platform.
Think twice if you mainly surf beach breaks with a shore dump, or you have nowhere to store nine feet of board.
Side by side
| Fish | Mid-length | Longboard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our models | Retro Fish, Duo | Asym | Mid | Nude | Longboard |
| Wave size (face) | 2ft to 6ft | 3ft to 6ft | All conditions |
| Best at | Speed in weak surf | One board for everything | Glide and wave count |
| Level | Retro Fish: beginner to advanced. Duo: intermediate up | Beginner to advanced | Beginner to advanced |
| From | $1,200 | $1,400 | $1,600 |
Three questions that settle it
How many boards will you own? If the answer is one, get a mid-length. If you already have a shortboard, a fish fills the gap below it. If you already have a mid, a log or a fish makes the quiver.
Where do you surf most? Points lean toward a mid or a log. Beach breaks lean toward a fish or a shorter mid.
What do you want to feel? Speed and looseness: fish. Flow and range: mid. Glide and trim: log.
A log and a mid is a very good two-board quiver for this coast, and more than one customer has ordered exactly that (see the reviews below).
Then make it yours
Whichever outline you start with, the dimensions are drawn around you. Length, width, thickness, rails, tail and rocker can all move. Get a starting number from the volume calculator, and read what size surfboard should I get for the rest.
If you would like a nudge, the boards page has a short Help me choose tool that asks about your level and your waves and suggests a starting outline. Or do it the old way: come into the factory, stand next to a few, and talk it through with the shaper.
From our Google reviews
Love my new custom log and middy, thanks Joe and the boys at Cross, knowledgeable and friendly shapers
The best! Sorted my busted up fish right up. Highly recommend.
