What do you think is better for me to buy? A longboard or a shortboard?

Question

Im 5'7, 120 pounds. i live in NJ. What kind of board should i get?

Answer 1

Get a longboard and you'll be able to paddle better, get into waves easier, more foregiving when you get up, and they're just mo fun if you're starting out.

When you get your timing down (how/where to paddle, where to position yourself to catch a wave, popping up clean) and feel like you want to progress your surfing then look at a shortboard.  

I've seen a lot of folks stress on what type of shortboard to get when they're still struggling on a longboard.  It will only be harder and you'll get frustrated and not therefore not have as much fun.

I was surfing at San Onofre and little kids were killing it on longboards. Stick to the log!

Answer 2

Odds are that if you are having to ask on here, you are not ready for a shortboard.  As far as usefulness goes being an East coaster you will get  more ridable days with a longboard, plus it's easier to ride.

Answer 3

You probably should get at least an 8 foot board.  As was stated earlier, it is easier to catch waves and paddle with the longboard.  Personally, I prefer the fiberglass boards over the softboards and epoxy boards.  But, that is a matter of personal preference.

Answer 4

Make sure you get a longboard to start out on. When you get better you can get a shortboard. But for now stick with the longboard. Have fun!!!

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com/

Answer 5

Get a longboard. you can ride more waves and it's a lot more fun.

Answer 6

Jack,

It all depends on how long you have been surfing, and what you are looking for in surfboard. Almost all beginners do best learning on a long board, but there are no rules about what type of board you have to use to learn to surf.

You are also fairly thin, are you still growing? Not that that should effect you too much on a longboard, it might influence what size/type of short board you want.

If you are just beginning, go take some lessons (the lessons will be probably be on a long board or fun shape). After you master the basics, try a couple different type of surfboards, before you buy anything. Read some of the old questions here, there are lots of folks who goof and buy a board that it not right for them, before they really get a handle on surfing basics. TRY before you BUY.

I ride both long and short boards (one at a time, of course) and there are good things about both. But I always bring a long board to the beach with me. There are some days (especially where I surf in NJ and SC) when the surf is just too small for anything other than a long board. I have surfed NJ since '66, and I would say that you can't go wrong with a longboard, at least to start out.

http://jchawaii.com/v6/boards.php

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