riding 506 Spitfire looking for step up

I think everybody has put in some good advice here. It's difficult to know what makes a board "turn on" for somebody. There are so many variables and everybody surfs differently. I can only offer my experience which is, at 180lbs I started with a 6'0 and found the board to be a bit dead. I gave it another change with a 5'10 and it's been the best board that I've every had. I surf it in everything. I've also borrowed a friend's 5'8. It had the same liveliness and catch-ability. Maybe a bit more hold in the pocket and a bit more bog in the flats.

I've decided I will stay with a Spitfire and it's probably best to go down one more size.
This is all new to me...Can someone tell me what performance differences I may notice going from a 5'6 to a 5'4?
Again, I am 5'3, 140lbs, intermediate, surfing off and on for 5 years but a lot now & improving daily, surf SoCal in primarily knee to head high.
It seems like my 5'6 is maybe a little slow and at times hard to get around the corner. I am wondering if this a characteristic of a board 1 size too big (as people on the Forum have mentioned) and maybe a bit too much volume or if it is lack of skills on my part. Will I notice a difference with the 5'4?
I was able to pick up a 5'4 the other day at the shop and it felt good under my arm, better than my 5'6 so hopefully it will surf that way too.
I'd love to hear from anyone. Baker and csarqui...your thoughts? Thanks!

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Originally Posted by delmarsurfer

I've decided I will stay with a Spitfire and it's probably best to go down one more size.
This is all new to me...Can someone tell me what performance differences I may notice going from a 5'6 to a 5'4?
Again, I am 5'3, 140lbs, intermediate, surfing off and on for 5 years but a lot now & improving daily, surf SoCal in primarily knee to head high.
It seems like my 5'6 is maybe a little slow and at times hard to get around the corner. I am wondering if this a characteristic of a board 1 size too big (as people on the Forum have mentioned) and maybe a bit too much volume or if it is lack of skills on my part. Will I notice a difference with the 5'4?
I was able to pick up a 5'4 the other day at the shop and it felt good under my arm, better than my 5'6 so hopefully it will surf that way too.
I'd love to hear from anyone. Baker and csarqui...your thoughts? Thanks!

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...At your service!

Well Delmar i've not ridden any other board apart from my 5'6 spitfire for the last year, for me the size works perfect, I'm 5'9 and currently 65 kg. I don't think there's any doubt that the same size board is too big for you, i have a friend 20 years younger and he rides the 5'4 at the same weight as me, but if i were that age i would probably do the same. If i thought 5 years ago i would be on a 5'6 after riding 6'0's all the time...well FW make anything possible. Go for the smaller board, as with anything in life it may feel weird at first but you'll just adapt. It will cover you from knee to head high.

Have a look at this video of NOAH ERICKSON HERE on the 5'4 - a good insight of the boards performance!

Baker.

I think it's just something that you'll have to try. If you have the same disease that I do, you won't be able to get it out of your head until you get one. I know that it's difficult because the of the price tag. I usually do the craigslist swap. When the board I want comes up for sale, I jump on it, try it out, and then sell the other board. Sometimes it doesn't work out though. No promises.

Thanks. Yeah, Noah is ripping on that Spit! I love that video.
I agree on Baker's assessment on sizing and feel like I am getting close to the proper volume for my weight. Just trying to gather some more information before I make the plunge and investment.
csarqui, I must say I agree with what you said about just having to try the board. In the meantime can you (or anyone) shed any light on what performance characteristics I may notice going down a size and another 2.6L in volume?
I am assuming more manueverable...does it also make it a bit faster (assuming the wave has enough power)? I am surprised my 5'6 doesn't seem to generate more speed but maybe it's simply operator error.