Im lookin to learn how to surf on the east coast this summer, i'm 6'3'' but i dont want to use a long board

Question

any ideas?

Answer 1

Well Its harder to learn on a short board and with your height you should really use a longer board just to learn.  Although if your totally against the idea of a long board, there are shorter soft boards.  These are not made from fiberglass or a carbon based matter, these are good to learn how to begin.  I started last summer on my 7'5 soft board and I still get  rush, once you stand your gonna get that feeling of one.  So look into soft boards, and also practice without your board.  I was a total dork waiting for the summer I outlined my board onto my floor and practiced pop ups.  Just small things to do in the mean time so you already have the motions down.  

What part on the east coast may I add?

Answer 2

i'm no surfer, but i always thought that longboards are easier for beginners than shortboards.  plus being on the east coast the waves are smaller so i would think that a longboard would be a better choice.  why don't you wanna use on?

Answer 3

Here's a calculator that will tell you what size board you should get: http://www.aboutthebreak.com/surfboard_c...

Answer 4

This same question keeps coming up. First of all, why not learn on a longboard. They aren't 'cool enough' for you? keep reading grashopper, there seems to be a lot for you learn about surfing.

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 ( A LONGBOARD!)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. There are NO RULES that say you have to learn on a Longboard, but unless you are a very talented person, that is really the easiest way to start.

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 5

You know, I took some time off from answering questions on here because I was answering the same damned questions every day:  What sized board to I need, how do I learn to surf, etc.  I come back and not much has changed, except I lost my top contributor status (who cares).  

Look, you either want to learn to surf or your want to look cool.  If you really want to learn use a longboard, unless you have tons of free time to flounder around trying to figure out a short board.  Oh yeah, summer waves suck on the east coast so your gonna need some more time to wait for decent swell.  I used to be against longboards myself but broke down a couple of years ago and got one.  I can now surf pretty much any day I want and learning to ride a different style boards has improved my surfing all around.

There's a reason people have answered this question in more the less the same manner that last 3000 times it has been asked.

Answer 6

Well you can get a fun board. (a board that is kinda in between a short and a long board)

Bic is a good brand cause they are really easy to learn on and inexpensive. You should try to buy a used one so once you get the hang of the fun board you can get rid of it.  Then you can buy a nice short board.

Answer 7

use a fish.

Answer 8

Why don't you want to use a longboard? Personally I'm not a fan of longboards, but they have their uses. The East Coast during the summer is pretty bad, just inconsistent windswell. However, most days are longboardable, and while the waves might not be great, they're decent enough to learn on. Trying to learn on a shortboard, you're simply not going to have that many days to practice. Thats not to say its impossible, its just not a good idea. And, at you're height and probably weight, you'd need a larger shortboard than others, so it makes more sense to just start on a longboard.

The best thing for you to do is go to a local surf shop and get lessons. They'll almost definately start with you on a longboard, and once you've progressed enough, they can help you buy your first board.