Well a lot of the conditions surfed in here ( UK, Sarf Carst ) are onshore short crumbly wumbly brown shoulders with not a lot of power behind them ( think wind blown chop rather than swell ) so when we talk surfing, we talk 8″.6 mal/ mini mal floaters.
It’s true a lot of boards are getting shorter and wider, it’s had a great success in the windsurfing world, the width allowing the shoulders of the board to tail catch waves betterer like. That being more float put in the mid through tails section of boards. Some SUP’s are going down the 6″ x 4″ route for short crumbly chop and they’ve had a lot of success, yet they look stupid and we’ve got to get used to the look of the shape…
So it’s true width plays its part, but you’ve given us no idea where you wanna surf, so it’s difficult to advise truthfully.
One piece of advice, serious advice, is that you need to go to your break, check out what other guys are using, check out guys of similar ability, watch them, take note, then be brave and go on over and say Hi, ask to see what board they use and how they find it. Don’t believe the hype that all surfers are anal grumpy shits who spout vitriol at newbies, it’s soooo not true. Most have a heart that beats water and are keen to encourage and share.
In the windsurfing/kiting world down here it’s common for folks to chat to each other, take note of what folks are using and we all ask questions. In fact, once a question is asked it’s invariably the case that no windypuffing/kiting takes place, more a chattathon.
£500 for a board is not a lot of moolah, but moolah it is, so take your time..