I want to buy a surf board, any suggestions?

Question

I would love links, but it's okay if you don't have links.

IDK if this stuff is usefull?!?

Height: 5'2" (height from 2 yrs ago)

Weight: 130

Answer 1

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.

your first board doesn't need to be profesionaly shaped. you may not even like surfing.

some links-http://www.islesurfboards.com/index.asp?...

craigs list (select area, than go to for sale and in that go to sporting)http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us

Answer 2

You need to learn on a longboard. Learning to surf was a very long and painful process for me. I thought that since I was always the best at every sport, then this should come to me naturally. Not the case, I was quickly humbled.

I tried to learn by going straight out there and acting like I had done it before. I was worried about how I looked. So after washing out a few times, I became self conscious and then it wasn't real fun. I kept this up for weeks, until I finally learned to stand up CONSISTENTLY the same way, every time, on all different kinds of waves. This is not the way to learn, at least not to me.

If I had it all to do over again, I would have mastered paddeling first. I would have practiced paddeling in short, speedy bursts for 5 or 10 seconds at a time. You'll be suprised how you can throw yourself off balance (while paddeling) by not being familiar to these explosive bursts needed to catch a wave.

Then, I would have mastered wave riding, without worrying about standing up. You've known how to stand on a board your whole life, but later you'll have to learn how to stand on a floating object moving quickly on top of water. No, first I would have learned how to ride the face of the wave, and not the whitewater (most beginners ride straight in towards the beach on the break water, which could be fun, but isn't as fun as the face of the wave). I rode a thousand waves through whitewater, in two feet deep seas... when I got tired of that, I had no clue how to suddenly surf on the waves the way everybody else was. You can also use a bodyboard and flippers to get the feel of this, just don't let anyone see you doing it!

Finally, I would have learned to stand on the waves, very patiently, the same way every time. I would have strengthened my core muscles and developed balance at the gym instead of trying to get a "beach body". Core muscles (abs, thighs, back) balance you and are the foundation of wuick explosive movements, such as paddeling and springing up on the board. Work these... You'll look great and surfing will become even more relaxing and fun for you. You don't need a six pack. You can have a big ole' gut, as long as your core muscles are strong and conditioned.

I went about the sport the wrong way 10 years ago (I was 15). Now I'm pretty good, but I had a lot of days that seemed more like work than play while I was learning. Don't make the same mistakes. Of course Kelly Slater probably surfed the first wave he ever tried on an ironing board, but you're not him...

Answer 3

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.

Take the time to check out the links, especially surfingforlife.

http://www.surfingforlife.com/history.ht...

http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

http://360guide.info/surfing/surfboard-t...

Answer 4

Here's a surfboard calculator that will tell you what size board you'll need:

http://www.aboutthebreak.com/surfboard_c...

Answer 5

Something along this line would be good

http://www.amazon.com/BZ-8-Foot-Classic-...

but i would go to a surf shop

        -no shipping

        -better advise

        -often cheaper

Answer 6

Listen to John F, he said it right and nearly everyone else here is a kook.

Answer 7

I would recommend getting a rusty surfboard. They're beast!

Answer 8

Depends how much you're willing to spend and how serious you are with sticking with it.

I personally don't like softboards, so I'd recommend going the funboard route. Easy to paddle, and enough stability for a beginner to stand up on. Anything 7'-8' would work at your weight(assuming you're a beginner surfer).

Answer 9

get a long board

Answer 10

yeah if you're starting get any softboard like 7 feet. or if you've surfed a little, get a funshapes from "blue" (which i think is a ron jon brand).

Answer 11

Mia, let me tell you...if you buy a board before you know how to really ride, you may just be wasting your money. You may not like the style you got. and surfboards ain't cheap sista, you know what I'm telling ya!??

I suggest you either talk some friends into letting you ride theirs or maybe even rent a couple different ones at the local shop. After that....you'll know what you want.

When you end up buying, hopefully you buy from a local shaper. Their boards are custom for your needs and they are usually cheaper than those off the rack. Have fun

Answer 12

at all depends what kind you want

if you want a longboard dont get anything longer than like  feet for you

short board...i would say like 6-0 or so

i would get an epoxy because there awesome

they dont ding and there extremely durable

there really boyant and just fun to ride

good luck

Answer 13

if you want a short board i would say about 5'6

if you want a long board 8'0

if you want a fish 5'5

or you could get a soft top