First surfboard?

Question

i was wondering is 6"8" too short for a first surfboard? i really dont want one of those huge longboards. I've used a longboard before in a surfing lesson and i found it really hard to turn around in the water and everything. i'm an experienced bodyboarder if that counts for anything....

Answer 1

ya if you have surf that size would be fine. it might just take a day or two to get up consistently. long board= easier

   short board= more fun and usable in bigger waves

Answer 2

You need a board that will float you well enough for you to take off (paddle and catch a wave). Most people learn best on long boards, although I have seen lots of surfers start on a short board and master it. Long boards are ideal for learners. There are also good internediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals and some hybrids.  Your weight has much, much more to do with choosing the right board than does your height. You can always trade in a board and buy a new one when you are ready for a change (or keep your long board. I bought a new long board about 6/7 years ago, and, like I said, there are some days that it's the perfect board for the conditions).

There are good things about both long and short boards. I ride both (one at a time , of course). In the mid sixties, like almost everybody else, I started on a longboard. I went shorter and shorter every summer, during the 'short board revolution.' I have found some days that were just too small anything but a longboard. Just riding one size board is very limiting, conditions change daily in most places.

There are no RULES for learning how to surf. Go to a good local surf shop and talk to the surfers there. They will give you good advice for what works in the local breaks you will be riding.

Answer 3

long board until you get better

then move shorter

Answer 4

Rent some boards and see which ones work for you.

Answer 5

There are a lot of factors that go into this decision.

A 6'8" board is good if you weigh less that 200 pounds.

It also depends on the type of waves you will be surfing.

If you are surfing a beach break with less than 6 foot faces this board will probably be OK.  If it is a really heavy break consider something even shorter.  The tail design is also important.  A pin tail is good for speed but, your initial turn will be slow.  Not the best if you are going to be surfing a really short wave.

The board you rode in a lesson was probably a foam behemoth.  Don't be afraid of a longboard because of that experience.  A glass longboard can be easy to paddle and capable of surfing large waves provided they do not jack up too fast.  Consider a longboard if you are learning in a location with a long distance to paddle and a clearly defined channel.  If the wave pulls up slowly or doesn't have a lot of punch, it will be much easier to learn on.

Back to the shorebreak.  If there is no channel remember that you must dive under the sets to return to the lineup.  The shorter the board the better for duck diving.

If you are a good bodyboarder and used to catching waves, you shouldn't have any trouble on a short board.

I would base my decision on your home break.  Check out what other people are riding.  Especially the rippers.  Remember to look at the break at different times of day with different tides.  Usually all of the old guys will be out on their longboards at sunrise.  The rippers will be out after school.  If its really good, everyone will be out all day.