l can get up, but only for a couple of seconds on small swell. l have a second hand average board thats 6'7, im 6'1 average build, l dont wanna buy a long board, it wont fit in my car and its apain to take on a flight. l have heard good things about a fish board, any advice?, size?

you do not go enough and you need a egg/longboard. wo not fit in your car? use a roof rack and a board bag. you do not need a fish yet.

Like SD said, you can try an egg. It is your best alternative to a longboard. And you need to surf more. You wo not gain much skill surfing only 24 times a year. You stated you were average build, so l am guessing 170 lbs. The 6'7'' board is in your range. A fish is a really fun board, it is thicker and wider, giving you more stability. But unless you can invest more time in the water, buying another board will be a waste of money.

ya fish are fine to start on heres a good link--http://islesurfboards.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3863

Go hard or go home..Sorry to say but you are not getting out enough...Wo not matter what board you buy or do not buy if can not get the practice..Hey l am trying to be honest here.

we all have this drama when learning try leading with your arm in the direction you are moving and with a slight bend in your knees. for more speed lean forward on the front of your board as this evens out the weight. and yes the fish is a good board not so much in low swell but surf the point of the break down into the pipe for best results. hope this helps.

and keep at it

try riding the white wash and then move to the bigger stuff as the others said you need to get out more try get hold of a longer board

Are you serious about surfing? Well, you cannot gain much skill surfing only 24 times a year. Although the 6'7'' board is in your range, a fish is so much more fun, and because it is thicker and wider, it will give you more stability; however, it would really be a waste of money if you cannot invest more time in the water. Like Maui said, “Go hard or go home!” =P GOOD LUCK!

There r good things about both long & short boards. l ride both (one at a time , of course). In the mid sixties, like almost everybody else, l started on a longboard. l went shorter & shorter every summer, during the 'short board revolution.
You need a board that will float u well enough for u to take off (paddle & catch a wave). Most people learn best on long boards, although l have seen lots of surfers start on a short board & master it. Long boards r ideal for learners. There r also good intermediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals & some hybrids.There r no RULES for learning how to surf.
Go to a good local surf shop & talk to the surfers there. They will give u good advice for what works in the local breaks u will be riding.
Do not buy a surf board to fit ur car, buy a surfboard for the waves u ride, ur body size & skill level. It costs just as much to fly with a 9'6'' as it does a 6'7''.
A fish is a design that lets u ride a board that is a little bit shorter that u would normally ride. They tend to be a little fat & 'floaty'However, it is probably the worst to try to learn on. It is perfect for short radius turns & tends to be tough for a beginner to handle. l have a great fish, but l have been surfing just a little while now. If u r having trouble getting up, it may be practice that u need, not a new board.

l have been surfing for 42 years. l hope u do learn to surf some day, it will give u joy for life.