Type of surboards for a beginner?

Question

So I don't have a job this summer but have always wanted to surf. I love the ocean and the water and am a strong swimmer, waterpolo player and scuba diver.

I have heard that starting off with a shortboard (6'-6'6) is not that good.

I'm about 6 foot 2 inches, what surfboard would work for me?

I'm planning on getting lessons as well and I live next to the ocean and would go surfing a lot so the board wouldn't be a waste and if the board is good I don't mind paying for it.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I am 6' 2" and 180 lbs. I learned on a 7'6" funboard. It is a longboard design but with shortboard length. You have the flotation and stability you need but the shorter length makes it easier to handle. Great for all types of waves.

I have a 6'6" shortboard that I will only take out in good 4-6+ waves. Otherwise , paddling for smaller c**p is not worth it.

I also have a 9'2" McTavish longboard that I can take in anything. Small 2' waves up to 12'. Granted, a lonboard is hard to duck dive in big waves but to carve up & down a big wave on a longboard is heaven.

Bottom line, start with a rentall board or buy a used one. Go with a funboard of maybe 7'6" - 8' and you will be able to use it forever. I have been surfing forever and as my surfing evolved, I got shorter and longer boards.

Surfing is the greatest thing you will ever experience, next to getting barrelled that is.

Answer 2

I say long board. Thats what  i learned on and had the most fun on. Short boards are reallly hard to handle unless you really know how to surf.

Answer 3

since your just starting out a long sponge board would be the best, but just until you can stand and ride the line then you should probably get an epoxy board or a fiberglass board (try to go for epoxy--its less harmful on the environment and they're more durable)

But if you get lessons most of the time they provide the board.

Answer 4

You need a board that will float you well enough for you to take off (paddle and catch a wave). 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. You can always trade in a board and buy a new one when you are ready for a change (or keep your long board. I bought a new long board about 6/7 years ago, and, like I said, there are some days that it's the perfect board for the conditions).

There are no RULES for learning how to surf. Go to a good local surf shop and talk to the surfers there. They will give you good advice for what works in the local breaks you will be riding.

Learning to surf is more than just standing up on a surfboard. If you are going to surf, you should be a competent ocean swimmer. Not just good in a pool, but able to swim in the surf, and when the undertow and rips are strong. I have seen lots of good pool swimmers get rescued.

Once you get that far, I would recommend some surf lessons. Go to a REAL surf shop (not a bathing suit store that sells some surfboards). The folks there will rent you a board and hook you up with some lessons. If you are fairly athletic with okay balance, you will learn how to stand up fairly easily. Much more important, is for you to learn surf etiquette. A good instructor will make sure you understand the "rules" so that everybody else in the water doesn't want to kill you before you get good at surfing.

I have been surfing for 42 years, and it is the greatest stoke of all, good luck.

Answer 5

well i would would go with a long board or a fun shape board

http://www.islesurfboards.com/index.asp?

these are some good board examples

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http://www.islesurfboards.com/index.asp?...

http://www.islesurfboards.com/index.asp?...