Surf Borad "shoping"!! Please help!!!!?

Question

Okay,...So I've been surfing for a week now. Every day for 3 1/2 hours a day. I really good,...I can ride on the line,...do some tricks, and I can "pump" now. My older sister has a 3 fined short board. So do you think I could just use that instead of having to go out and buy a funboard? I've been riding a 7' funboard for the last week,...and my sister's is 7'5". I know shortboards are harder to ride.

Answer 1

I have been surfing for 42 years. Tricks are what I taught my dog to do, or what a magician does when he pulls rabbit out of a hat. Surfers do moves and maneuvers. If you are comfortable rinding your sisters board, there is no reason  not to buy one just like it. Most people start out better (easier) on a longer board, but I have seen lots of surfers start on a short board and eventually master it. THERE ARE NO RULES FOR LEARNING HOW TO SURF.

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.

Answer 2

yess, maybe not a small shortboard

but try like a 6'6 or somwhere around there

make sure it was thick rails around 2 1/2 or 2 1/4 rails soo its still sturdy enough.

if you get like a 5'11 you'll most likely get frustrated and mad.

don't rush it you'll get there.

have funn!

Answer 3

A shortboar is a tougher ride but will improve your place, and skills as well depending on your ideas of trick a shortboard will help you perform better as well as ride faster and more responsive.

Answer 4

So you've been surfing for a week? Everyday for 31/2 hours? and your really good? I'm not sure I know what "riding on the line" is, but I do know what "pumping" is and what "doing some tricks" is.

Listen kid, don't try to do any tricks you probably look rather silly doing what you think are "tricks". The best thing you can do is try to go straight or maybe thats "riding the line", as fast as you can work on the pumping, and don't try to do any tricks. Try not to wave you arms at all or stand with your legs to far apart. What I'm saying is try to surf real smooth and fast. Once you have learned to go real fast straight then try to work on doing a bottom turn. In about a year when you've mastered these most important aspects of surfing then you can work on cutbacks, off the lips, tubes and then the tricks. If you start off with a crappy style it will be very hard to make you a good surfer. Surfline.com has some great "how to" video's

At least your starting with the right size board. Stay with that for at least a couple of months more. You might have someone video u while your surfing that way you can see how u what your style is like. Once you can see that you look smooth ,(no flailing arms or weird squat style) U can move on to a new board

Good luck