I'm a beginner surfer, how do I choose a board?

Question

I have taken surfing lessons and feel confident surfing on my own now. Should I get a longboard, shortboard, or funboard? What are the pros and cons of each? Does surfing location play a difference in what board you choose (I'll be at Wrightsville Beach, NC)? Please help!

Answer 1

Start with a fun board.  7-8' in size and something at least 21" wide.  It's the happy medium between a shortboard and longboard.  If you decide to go with a longboard (it's easier overall)  then it will be that much harder to transition to a shortboard later.  It all depends on what you ultimately want to end up riding.  

A funboard will be big enough to float you well, paddle well, catch waves well, and won't be overly big so you can learn to turn.  It's all about quantity of waves when learning to surf but not necessarily quality.  Quality waves do help of course but when you're learning - the more waves you catch per session the faster you'll learn the basics.

btw, location doesn't matter much when you're learning to surf.  I doubt you'll be paddling out someplace that you can't handle - and if  you do, try surfing someplace easier.  Chances are you won't need to worry about what equipment to ride based on conditions and location for quite a while.

Just remember - more waves = faster learning.

Good luck.

Answer 2

i would say a fun board, because there is a little more stability, if you do get a fun board, i would get a longer and wider board because you are a beginner