Is the board I am using ok?

Question

I have never surfed before and while I'm trying it out I'm using a friends old board. It's a custom board designed to help somebody transition to a shortboard. My friend is 6'2, 180 and the board was made for those measurements. I am 6'2, 220. The board is 6'5 and is pretty much shaped like a shortboard. I am finding it really hard to stand on, my friend says it should work fine, but I wanted some second opinions. Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,

The board you have described is not for a beginner. You will spend months trying to stand on it, and may never get the the ride you are looking for. You need to look into a larger beginner board. The best boards to learn on (with out any experience) are large foam boards. You can rent these from almost any surf shop, and I recommend hiring a board for your first few rides. This way you wont hurt yourself or others! it wont break and they are easy to ride.

You first experience should be enjoyable, thus move away from the short board until you are ready. practice riding the broken waves with a soft large board as described above. Once you have mastered that, then jump onto:-

www.mesurf.com.au

This will be live end of August 2008 and will help make you a better surfer and get you out there!

Good luck.

mesurf

[e-mail]

www.mesurf.com.au

Answer 2

first time surfing?? d**n, you really should try a 8'6'' board as your learning.

  the brand NSP (New Surf Project), is a really good brand of surfboards for beginners.

Answer 3

Buy a longboard. It will provide more stability and it will paddle faster.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com

Answer 4

its pretty much going to be impossible for you to learn on someting that big being your size and never surfed before. even trying it on that board is just going to get you frustrated and you might even hurt yourself. someone 220 lbs and just learning should use a board at least 9 ft

Answer 5

i think you should move down to like a fat fish board that is around  6'2 and for you, you are going to need more room on the board so think about getting a more wider board and thicker so its better to learn on. but remember one thing, if you dont do well on your new board, dont get frustrated, confidence is key to surfing, and dont worry your just going to have to get the feel for the board before you start popping up right away. but anyway Good Luck.