{"product_id":"tahe-5-6-paint-mini-shortboard-surfboard","title":"Tahe 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTahe 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard\u003c\/strong\u003e is a compact soft-top surfboard built for lightweight riders who want a board that feels manageable, confidence-inspiring and fun from the very first session. If you are buying for a child, smaller teenager or very light surfer, this is the smallest board in the Tahe surfboard line-up and makes a lot of sense where a full-size beginner board would simply feel too big and awkward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the kind of board that helps lighter riders learn properly. It is easier to carry, easier to paddle into position, and much less intimidating than a bigger surfboard. At the same time, it still has enough shape and volume to get riders up and riding without the board feeling like a toy. If you have come across the older \u003cstrong\u003eOxbow 5'6 China Dog\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is the same board under its newer Tahe name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere It Sits in the Tahe Range\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard sits right at the small and lightweight end of the Tahe range. It is best suited to riders up to around \u003cstrong\u003e40kg\u003c\/strong\u003e who need a properly scaled board rather than a cut-down adult shape. That is what makes it such a good option for younger surfers starting out or progressing beyond bodyboarding and foamies that feel too basic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the rider is heavier, stronger, or wants more glide and easier wave-catching in weak surf, it is usually worth stepping up. The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-6ft6-paint-maxi-shortboard\"\u003eTahe 6'6 Paint Maxi Shortboard\u003c\/a\u003e is the next logical move for riders who like the soft-board feel but need more float and stability. For bigger beginners or a more all-round surfboard that will last longer through progression, the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-7-ft-3-mini-mal-surfboard\"\u003eTahe 7'3 Mini Mal\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-7-ft-9-malibu\"\u003eTahe 7'9 Malibu\u003c\/a\u003e are the safer choices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Choose the Tahe 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProperly sized for lightweight riders\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than forcing them onto a board that is too long or too heavy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoft construction\u003c\/strong\u003e gives a more forgiving feel for early wipeouts and crowded beginner sessions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to handle out of the water\u003c\/strong\u003e which matters just as much as how a board feels on the wave\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProgression-friendly shape\u003c\/strong\u003e that still lets lighter surfers learn turning, trimming and board control\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMore durable than many cheap foam boards\u003c\/strong\u003e thanks to its reinforced EPS core, fibreglass layers and dual stringers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA sensible buy for younger surfers\u003c\/strong\u003e who need a board that helps them improve rather than just survive the white water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5'6\" \/ 169 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20.38\" \/ 52 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThickness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.18\" \/ 8.1 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVolume\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35 litres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.9 lbs \/ 3.6 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended rider weight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 90 lbs \/ 40 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShaped EPS foam core\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReinforcement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFibreglass reinforcement with dual stringers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFin setup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 x softboard fins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePackage Includes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTahe 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 x softboard fins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFin screws\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note that a leash and wax are not included, so it is worth adding a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/collections\/surf-leashes\"\u003esurf leash\u003c\/a\u003e and the right \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/collections\/surf-wax\"\u003esurf wax\u003c\/a\u003e at the same time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExplore the Range\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are comparing sizes and trying not to buy the wrong board, these are the Tahe models most worth looking at alongside the 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-6ft6-paint-maxi-shortboard\"\u003eTahe 6'6 Paint Maxi Shortboard\u003c\/a\u003e – the next step up for riders who want the same forgiving soft-board style with more volume\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-7-ft-3-mini-mal-surfboard\"\u003eTahe 7'3 Mini Mal Surfboard\u003c\/a\u003e – a much more all-round choice for bigger beginners and longer-term progression\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-7-ft-9-malibu\"\u003eTahe 7'9 Malibu\u003c\/a\u003e – maximum ease and early wave-catching for new surfers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-7-ft-egg-surfboard\"\u003eTahe 7'0 Egg Surfboard\u003c\/a\u003e – a great bridge toward more responsive surfing without going too small too soon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-7-ft-6-mini-longboard-surfboard\"\u003eTahe 7'6 Mini Longboard Surfboard\u003c\/a\u003e – for riders who want more glide, trim and a classic longboard feel in a manageable size\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHelpful Reading \u0026amp; Buying Advice\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are trying to work out which Tahe surfboard size makes the most sense, have a read of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/blogs\/news\/tahe-surfboards-uk-guide-malibu-mini-mal-egg-amp-mini-longboard\"\u003eTahe Surfboards UK Guide\u003c\/a\u003e. You can also browse our wider \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/collections\/surfboards\"\u003esurfboards collection\u003c\/a\u003e if you want to compare Tahe against other beginner-friendly surfboards and progression shapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is the Tahe 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard best for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis board is best for lightweight riders, children and smaller teenagers up to around 40kg. It is designed to give them a board that is properly sized for their weight and strength, rather than putting them on something oversized.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a good choice for an adult beginner?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor most adults, no. It is simply too small to be the easiest or most enjoyable starting point. If you are buying for an adult beginner, you will normally be much better off with something like the Tahe 7'3 Mini Mal or 7'9 Malibu.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between this and the 6'6 Paint Maxi Shortboard?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 5'6 is the smaller, lighter-rider option. The 6'6 Paint Maxi Shortboard gives you more volume, more stability and more support for heavier riders. If the surfer is close to or above 40kg, the 6'6 is usually the safer buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the same board as the old Oxbow 5'6 China Dog?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Tahe’s current 5'6 Paint Mini Shortboard is the board many people will recognise as the former Oxbow 5'6 China Dog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need anything else to get started?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, we would recommend adding a surf leash and the correct temperature wax. Those are the main essentials to get on the water safely and make the board work properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e","brand":"Tahe","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52914397020493,"sku":null,"price":174.85,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0904\/8381\/8829\/files\/tahe-5ft6-paint-mini-shortboard-p6693-24253_image.jpg?v=1764949196","url":"https:\/\/www.thesupco.com\/products\/tahe-5-6-paint-mini-shortboard-surfboard","provider":"The SUP Company","version":"1.0","type":"link"}