How about me? im like 5'8 and i wanna start surfing. what board is good for me?

Question

How about me? im like 5'8 and i wanna start surfing. what board is good for me?

Answer 1

mhm are you a kid?

and gunna really commit to surfing

then maybe a medium sized longboard like an 8'0

or maybe a funboard if you eventually wanna get to shortboarding

maybe around 7'0 - 7'4

Answer 2

For some reason, it seems like somebody asks this same question at least once every ten days!

Surfing is an ocean sport. before you decide to surf, decide to know and understand the ocean. Learn to be at home with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes BIG waves. The original surfers were watermen (and women, both men and women surfed, but certain waves were reserved for royalty).

I spent almost all of my teen years, swimming, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and fishing. I even surfed in different places the Navy sent me, when it was possible.

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.' After getting out of the service, I had afew years of sporadic surfing, before I got back to surfing as much as possibly could. (I've driven 650 miles to go surfing!). I 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.

I am old, and fat and slow, so even my shortboard is 7'6". My 6'4" is a collectors' item now. Not every break has ripper, head high waves every day. A longboard is great for plenty of glide in that knee high stuff. One more reason to surf every chance I can.

Surfing is an ocean sport, to do it right, you have to be at home in the ocean, with its currents, rips, undertows and sometimes big waves. I don't just mean being good at swimming in a pool, the ocean can be very unforgiving. I have seen lots of really good pool swimmers have to get rescued. You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don't want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave. You can't do that without an ocean.

Lessons are usually the best way to start, unless you are an adolescent or young adult with lots of pals who surf who can teach you. Go to a real surf shop. The folks there can hook you up with lessons, and even rent you a board to learn on. Just work on your basics, and after you feel good, think about buying a board, but don't rush into anything.

Be careful of what you read here on line. There are lots of really well meaning young folks who have neat answers about surfing, but at 55, I tend to classify anyone under 25 as a kid. After I found this site, I figured that I could answer a few questions, and spread the 'good news' of surfing. After you learn to swim and master the ocean, get your REAL advice from a surf shop, where industry professionals earn their rent money selling surfboards. . However, if they think you are just a 'kook' tourist out to rent a board, you won't necessarily get the best attention.

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.

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer. The pros there can give you the right answers!!

Good luck. Once you try surfing (and learn the 'right way') you'll have fun for life.

Answer 3

Since I am from Florida and took up swimming at an early age,I didn't take up surfing even though it is in my backyard literally.A good board is about six to eight inches longer than your 5'8" body so, sixty-eight inches is good to buy and start on just about any wave.Since you have advertised this on a computer, why not look at some of the surfing websites and buy a magazine that has one or two of your favorite looking people that you have seen on the computer or that you might see also on a television.Swimming lessons might be appropriate, and even thought costly or more than you can afford, exactly what you need to make good use of your purchase.Another alternative is to make a road trip for your new hobby and I recommend Florida even if you get a Frommer's book and find a new town that you can eventually start surfing in if and when you think it is beneficial.

Answer 4

Your First Surfboard

You can learn to surf on whatever board you like, but some surfboards are more appropriate than others. To maximize the rate at which your surfing progresses you need to get started on the right board. You did not start your driving lessons in a Ferrari, you do not want to learn to surf in a Ferrari (you know what we mean!). So what is the anti-Ferrari in surfboard terms (confused yet?).

The Soft Surfboard

If you have ever had surfing lessons with a surf school you should already have a good idea as to which surfboard is best for the beginner. Is is a soft surfboard. Sometimes called 'Foamies', these soft boards are ideal because the soft foam construction means the boards are incredibly buoyant, enabling the beginner to catch waves easily. Their dimensions ensure that they are very stable in the water - making it much easier for the novice to stand up.

The fact that they are soft makes them an ideal board for a surf school where any injuries are minimized. A custom fibreglass surfboard can hurt if you fall onto it. (Even the fins on this design are soft to a certain degree. An ideal soft surfboard to buy for an adult would be around 8' in length. A softboard around the 6' region would suit a child.

These boards, while ideal for a single surfing lesson are perhaps not the best surfboard to buy for an adult who will be surfing regularly. Most people would quickly outgrow these boards and would be left needing a replacement pretty soon - not making it the best buy. For small children who will not progress in surfing so quickly, or for adults who only go surfing on vacation once a year they are a great buy.

The Pop-Out

A Pop-Out is a surfboard that is made on a production line and is a cheap alternative to a custom made fibreglass surfboard. The Pop-Out is made of foam covered with thick fibreglass and are practically indestructible. As a result of their construction the popout is much heavier than a softboard or a custom. The weight reduces the performance of the board, which is good from a learners point of view - the board is much steadier in the water.

The downside of these boards is that their weight means that they can pack a hefty wallop, so when using these boards you need to pay attention to where the board is going if you come off it, and be aware of other surfers and water users.

The Pop-Out is a popular choice as a beginners board, they offer more for the average surfer than the soft boards because they have a longer time span where they are still of use as a board to learn to surf on. Another great thing about the Pop-Out is that they are in demand and always have a good resale value when you have learned to surf on them and are looking to buy a board more suitable to your surfing ability - you try finding a second hand one.

Answer 5

are you still growing?

im 5'8 and have a 5'11 thin, narrow short board.