I'm starting surfing, help please.?

Question

I'm new to surfing and I have not bought a board yet. I'm 5'10 and was told i need to get a longboard, but how long? Also Iwas told to get a softboard for the beginers but i won't be a beginer forever and they're expensive. Any advice?

Answer 1

Don't.  Stick with the five ten and you may just have a shot at not being a loser and poser.  Go to a small uncrowded spot and teach yourself.  If anyone sees you on a giant board, especially a softboard, you will be heckled as a poser, you will get cut off, and maybe beat up.

Be like the real surfers.  Follow our way of life.  Learn without a sense of entitlement (Sorry, you DO have to work for it). and most of all ... SHRED

Answer 2

If you think a "beginner board" is expensive, might be better to take up another sport.  Generally, beginner longboards are $200 or so less then better quality custom longboards.  Good quality longboards can run $400 more, and classics are $500 plus.  As the other answer stated, best to rent until you really know what you want.

Answer 3

well why dont you just rent a longboard and when you get better buy a better one. I recommend getting one as long as you can 11 or 12 feet especially if youre just learning.

Answer 4

If you're in Hawaii, you're in luck. Few other places have the super long-ride surf. Re board length, by all means get a board at least 8' long because you will learn quicker than on a short board, and for the sake of $$$ try to get a used one that still is okay. Eventually, you may get to the point of hotdogging with a chip board, but that's down the line a few years (unless you are able to surf often - three or more times a week). Keep at it, don't quit because your arms are so sore they are falling off - that disappears after about 20 times out in the waves. I come from Hawaii, where in the very old times surfing was called "The Sport of Kings" because it originally could be done only by Hawaiian "Ali'i" (royalty). I have posted a photo in my website (www.edgarmnashbooks.com) of my riding a rogue wave at Makapu'u, about 30+ feet, on my solid redwood board. Taken in February, 1946, just after return from WWII. Good luck,,,,,,,paddle, paddle, paddle - nothing like riding a fast wave!

Answer 5

don't but anything yet. first check out the surf shops and find out what they say, better yet do a surf camp in the summer. they will supply you with a board until you figure out what you want. corkey carrol is a good one but there are tons of schools. do one its worth it!!!

Answer 6

yea, renting is good. Although my friend is kind of in the same kind of bind. Anyone who reads this question, should go read and answer mine! THANKS!

Answer 7

around 9 feet is a good long board.I wouldn't recommend a soft board, to me they are difficult to surf, all they do is go straight which can be frustrating when trying to learn. Most places that give lessons use soft boards, take a lesson and get to the point where you're not going to kill yourself then think about buying your own board, who knows maybe you'll hate it, but I doubt it.

Answer 8

the best plan is go to a surf school for a few lessons, theyll give you thw basics in water saftey and the confidence to get out there. also, you can use their foamy boards while you're learning to save buying yor own. wot eva you do, dont buy one!! if you properly get into it you wont want to use it for long!! best bet, definatly a hard board, but minimal will be better than a proper long board as they are heavy and hard to get out in big surf, whereas shortboards dont float enough and are quite instable for biginers. a mini mall, bout 7''2 is would suit you great and not too wideas girls have less wide shoulders, will make it easier to paddle. anyweay good luck and just go for it!