First surfboard?PLEASE HELP!!

[dan-12-8]

Hi there i was just wondering if a Tiki 7ft 6 fatboy surfboard would be a good first time shortboard for me?im learning on my friends mini-mal at the moment and i want to buy my own surfboard and practice and get used to one board!i am 5 ft 11 and i weigh 12 stone & 2 pounds and getting heavier.
This is the Tiki surfboard i am thinking of getting and i was wondering if it would be any good for me!

here is the info on the board:
Length: 7'6 ft
Width: 21 1/4
Thickness: 2 7/8

i want to surf alot and i am going to newquay in the summer and i want to be able to surf decently by then! i dont want to buy a rubbish board and then have to move on and buy another board, so would this board be good for me?take in account that ive had a couple of lessons on my friends mini mal which is 7ft 4, so is this board ok for me?

[Sillysausage]

i reckon for that price get a custom for the extra few quid as quality will be much better and board will be stronger, therefore last longer

[dan-12-8]

Ok this might sound really stupid ok, but hwat is a custom?haha!can you give me a link or something?im really new to surfing and i dont no any of the terms so sorry!:P

[Sillysausage]

custom is custom made. no need for a link its just a surfboard made by a shaper for you. would cost a few extra quid but board would be better made.

although there wouldn't be much to have custom made as a complete beginner but the point i was making is to steer clear of tiki even if you get a second hand minimal as a first board, the value should hold well as they are the most popular beginner boards and you shouldn't have too much trouble selling it on when you get the basics and want to progress.

[dan-12-8]

ok and where would i be able to get that done?and why stay clear of tiki?arnt they any good?

[Sillysausage]

where do you live? KS on the forum shapes boards but other shapers around too, just search google for custom made surfboards and you will see what can be made, tail shapes, board designs, rocker etc.... really for a first board i would get a second hand minimal or something to get used to surfing and get the basics.

i've never had a tiki but hear that the glassing on them is pretty shite and as a beginner...you're going to destroy it. not sure how they ride though.

[dan-12-8]

ahh ok dude thanks a lot!thats actually helped me a lot !so thankyou very much x

[dan-12-8]

ohh and btw i live in West Wales!place called Cardigan?

[Sillysausage]

yep i know. try and make it sound like its an unknown place lol. have quite a bit of family down there.

[TheRedDarren]

Cardigan eh? any good surf spots around there? i live in Aberystwyth

[dan-12-8]

Ahh hello there !well there is some good surf down in poppit sometimes, especially in the summer!places like Newgale in fishguard then and Whitesands are like the best around here in west wales then!youve probably heard of them havnt you?

[Sillysausage]

theres loads of good reefs down by you too. a good few beaches too. far less crowded than most places these days which is a big bonus