i want to get a shortboard as my first board, heres why

[Shinjap2]

i have only surfed ones, rented a longboard for 1 hour, no classes, and i catched 3 waves, but straight forward. the thing is that surfboards are way TOO EXPENSIVE and if im going to buy a board, that one is gonna be the one i ride for a long time and i knw that after a time im going to want a shortboard, I KNOW shortboards are really hard to learn on, lots of frustration comes from it. im going for a trip of 4 days with a professional surfer, one of the best of my country and hes going to teach me how to ride a shortoard, any advise?

i have some years skating and know some longboard(street) just saying, if this helps xD pls reply

[oldmansurfer]

You need to be able to paddle to learn to surf so if you practice swimming it will help to condition your arms and shoulders for the workout they will get. Doesn't matter how good the teacher is if you arms are tired.

[oldmansurfer]

Also in four days hopefully you will be able to stand up and ride a wave. On a long board you probably would but maybe not on a shortboard.

[jaffa1949]

Nope, one surf 3 waves and you've already told us what you are going to do do and why! Got a teacher who is going to teach you how to shortboard , no need for us to say anything, really

[dtc]

How much is that trip costing?

What happens when your short board snaps? Since you don't want to have to buy a second board, guess you just stop?

Boards are relatively expensive, but how much is your time and mental frustration worth?

[waikikikichan]

If the OP is from Japan, I can understand his dilemma. Short boards cost $1200-1600. Longboards cost $1800-2500 ( i've see some for $3000 ). Of course they are Al Merricks, Christensens, Takayamas. All premier brands. Sure he could buy a generics pop out, but showing up to the beach with a molded board is not "cool", and he will be look down on. In Japan everything is about image. What you surf is more important than if you can surf. So let him sit on his shortboard in the ocean not catching any waves. He is considered "cooler" than me on my longboard that I'm actually surfing on.

Professional surfers here ad "Pro" to their names. Nakamura-Pro, Yuji-Pro. That is to separate them from your everyday surfer which are look down in Japanese society as druggers and lazy.

( oh I forgot to mention on top of the expensive surfboard, toll roads costing $35+ one way, Parking at the beach for $7 per hour ( winter time is $4 ) Driving license cost $3000. Lastly wetsuits which by far the best in the world, cost $800+ ( Dry suits cost $1200+ )

[drowningbitbybit]

surfboards are way TOO EXPENSIVE

...but make really good door-stops when you buy one that you can't ride.

[BaNZ]

Professional surfers here ad "Pro" to their names. Nakamura-Pro, Yuji-Pro. That is to separate them from your everyday surfer which are look down in Japanese society as druggers and lazy.

( oh I forgot to mention on top of the expensive surfboard, toll roads costing $35+ one way, Parking at the beach for $7 per hour ( winter time is $4 ) Driving license cost $3000. Lastly wetsuits which by far the best in the world, cost $800+ ( Dry suits cost $1200+ )

I find that hilarious and ironic. How can you be a drugger / beach bum if you pay that much money to surf? You would probably need a job to cover your surfing expenses. I need to start calling you waikikiki-Pro from now on.

[jaffa1949]

We welcome anyone from any surf coast and each has its own set of cost and access factors, Dominican Republic for Shinjap welcome!
Some good waves there!

[waikikikichan]

Banz - please don't call me a Pro since I am far from being one. In Japan after you qualify through Pro trials, you need to pay your $800 membership, $300 entry per contest. Not only that but you NEED a surf board sponsor and wetsuit sponsor recognized by the JPSA. That is to block any foreign surfers that are rich. By the way, There was a Gaijin Block put into place right before I moved here. No Japan passport, no Pro license. It's because the last 10 years the JPSA longboard champion has been a foreigner. Just like in Sumo, where now all the Yokozuna ( Sumo's highest ranking ) is all foreigners from Mongolia.

[BaNZ]

Banz - please don't call me a Pro since I am far from being one. In Japan after you qualify through Pro trials, you need to pay your $800 membership, $300 entry per contest. Not only that but you NEED a surf board sponsor and wetsuit sponsor recognized by the JPSA. That is to block any foreign surfers that are rich. By the way, There was a Gaijin Block put into place right before I moved here. No Japan passport, no Pro license. It's because the last 10 years the JPSA longboard champion has been a foreigner. Just like in Sumo, where now all the Yokozuna ( Sumo's highest ranking ) is all foreigners from Mongolia.

To me anyone who entered a contest and got a trophy is Pro to me! I saw your photo and you got a medal even with your cast on. That is just crazy and unbelievable.

Do the surfers there have a mentality of any foreigners are amazing surfers? It is in Taiwan and you will be look upon and treated as a Pro.

[Jester]

You have our respect Waikikichan.
Therefore..I vote we collectively call you waikikiki-pro from now on!! That or Mr Pro Changles.

[Shinjap2]

its 100% free everything xd its a friend's dad, they live in the front of the beach,hes goinng to give me the board for 4 days after that im planning of buying the board...maybe hes going to give me a board free but if not im gonna buy one, hope i ride the short so i can buy one in those 4 days
thanks all replies if got any other advise im here to listen.

[dtc]

Just like in Sumo, where now all the Yokozuna ( Sumo's highest ranking ) is all foreigners from Mongolia.

This will date me, but when I lived in Japan, Hawaiian born 'Jesse' Takamiyama was immensely popular (I actually was at the same school as his kids and he regularly turned up for things, fairs and to pound the rice at various festivals). Anyway, I think he was the first overseas born sumo to do well and was a breath of fresh air to the fairly staid and very traditional sumo world of the time. But having one foreigner do sort of well is ok; having only foreigners do well I can understand might be hard. In sumo anyway.