How long of a surfboard do I need ? 5'10/175lbs

Question

I'm buying a board next week in daytona & am not sure on the length 2 get. I have snowboarded (can do the double black diamonds) for 6 years & wakeboarded (can clear the wake) for the same. Should I go as high as 6'5 or stay 6'3/6'2 range..thanks

Answer 1

If you are just starting buy a longboard. If you are already pretty good you could get like a 6'4-6'6 fish. If you are really good buy a short-board. However i would suggest a fish or longboard because in florida the waves are usually pretty small unless a hurricane or tropical storm comes. Good Luck and have fun!!

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 2

You didn't answer the magic question; How long have you been surfing? It doesn't matter how cool you are snowboarding, that has nothing to do with surfing.

If you have surfed a few times, and are relatively competent, you might be looking for a somewhat shorter board. If you are a noobie, you are generally better off with a long board (or a fun-shape/mini-mal - a truncated long board).

Also, the ocean isn't like a lake. You need to be at home with with its undertows, rips and sometimes big waves (Okay, you are going to Daytona in the summer, so big waves may not be on the menu, but...). And, unlike a snowboard or wakeboard, you have to paddle to take off and catch the wave. Once you get that far, your expertise and refined balance skills form other board sports kicks in. But not until then.

A decent surfboard can cost in excess of $500.00. So, unless you are rich, don't buy a surfboard until you are sure you want to surf, and surf often enough and well enough to make it worth the investment.

Now, supposing you have no experience at all surfing, go to a good Daytona surf shop, and ask about lessons. Take a lesson or two on a rental board, and then talk to the folks at the shop about buying one. Same thing thing goes if you have been surfing a few times. Go to a surf shop, where the industry professionals can help you pick the right board for your weight, skill level, Daytona waves and your budget.

I have been surfing since 1966, and I get my advice from the surfers at good local surf shops, who surf at the same breaks that I do. There may be lots of nice folks here on line, but the folks in the shop have the 'best Answer'.

Good luck, and have fun surfing!