What kind of surfboard is the best kind for a beginner?

Question

Coming up this summer, I'm going to probably start learning how to surf and I was wondering what kind of boards are the best for beginners. I heard that a 6 foot 2 - 6 foot 4 board would be the best for me (Im about 5 foot 7 - 5 foot 8 right now and I weigh about 120 lbs) I was wondering what style board should I get though, I heard of sponge top boards, soft top boards (mostly roxy ones) fiberglass, etc. What one would be the safest and best one for a beginners?

Answer 1

Although you may think you want to learn on short board this will take MUCH more time to learn on.  Go long and wide and used.  If you want more details just browse around the section of already answered questions this gets asked every week.

Answer 2

It's not good to start on a shortboard, especially a fibreglass one.  They can't ride white water which means that you will find it hard to practise.  Go for surfing lessons or ask a person you know that already surfs to teach you.  When you do eventually buy a board, buy a board that floats when you sit on it.  Once you have learnt to angle yourself on a wave properly, then go looking for your fibreglass boards - or shortboards in general.  It just makes it so much easier.

Answer 3

go for the long board ( 9 footer), you won't regret it.

Answer 4

If you live near a CostCo, they have 8foot foam boards for $100 that would be a great, cheap way to start learning

Answer 5

No dont go the short board route if your just learning. If you dont want to go all out with a 9 ft longboard then go for a 7'6. You can learn on a short board but it will be very challenging and WILL take much longer than a longer board. Ill put it this way I surfed a 9 ft then transitioned to a 7'6 I have tried a 6'2 and I cant ride it yet. Its been almost a year and I am only 5'2 tall.

Answer 6

For a beginner, try a long training board, which is made of foam. It's harder to balance on, but safer for beginners. Once you can do that then you can move onto a fiberglass board