Surfing Waves

Hello. I am a beginner surfer. I tried riding longboard a couple of times, but it didn't really catch me. I know it may sound a little out, but I have this strange feeling like I feel more confident on something more manoeuvrable and small, like a shortboard.
I decided that I want to get my own board, cause the boards at the local surfboards available for loan is kinda old and dull.
Are you totally against beginners getting a shortboard as their first? And do any of you start on a shortboard?
*** I must say that when it comes to balance I feel pretty confident. I've also been Longboarding (Skateboard - on ground) for awhile now. ***
What do you think?

Well every single thread that answers your question is in the form but quick answer is up to you. Just keep in mind surfing isn't the same as skating its a lot different and you'll realize what we mean one you actually start. I don't know if I would take the dive and just buy a shortboard but it's once again up to you, keep in mind you may get frustrated and just end up selling your board because it was too hard for you to catch something on it.

What is it that makes a shortboard harder to catch waves?

Less foam so it's harder to paddle, you have to take off cost to the peak of the wave and be able to read which what it's breaking before taking off. You have to be able to generate your own speed and stay in the magical bowl that increases your ride length/speed.

I see your point. Thanks for your time

Yup anytime

how much do you weigh? We can recommend a board if you need us to

I weigh just about 69kg

Is it waaaay out to try and get down to a shortboard within a season?

I started on a good sized 7ft 4 mal and im 73kg. Ive been going every 3-4 weeks in all weathers for about 6 months. Im at the point where I can catch green waves and trim.

I had a go on a 6'8 egg and a 6'6 fish this weekend. The egg was ok but loads harder to catch wave on than my mal. Id had about 4 decent green waves that morning and got the chsnce to try a couple of smaller boards. Caught 1 half decent wave all afternoon. Loads harder!

Also depends what you mean by a short board. A funboard shape will be loads easier than a trad short thruster. If you're desperate to use a short board then get a wide thick one. From a fellow beginner though listen to these guys and get a buoyant 7ft minimum board to learn on.

How often do you surf?

The reason a big board is recommended is that when you first start out your pop up and your paddling sucks. Regardless of how good a snowboarder, skater or swimmer you are there is a big learning curve to learn surfing, so a big board make it easier to do both.

However, many some have learnged on a shortboard, it's just more frustrating and it takes longer to get results, but it can be done. So, if you are hell bent on using a shortboard start with a big one, then go down in size once better. But be warned, learning on a shortboard is not as much fun as a big board.

for 69kg, you could start with a 6'10 x 21 x 2 3/4 or there abouts, plenty of foam but still a shortboard

Okay thanks guys. I appreciate your help. I surf about ones a week, maybe more some times.
I've decided to start out on a longboard and maybe get me that instead. I'll probably just buy a cheap Epoxy longboard.

You won't regret it. Good luck!

Thank a lot!

Allow me to chime in here. I learned on a short board and it took me an entire summer to learn. That was about 25 years ago and I am no athlete. Pretty clumsy, too. That being said, I am glad I stuck with it and didn't go with a long board. It may be easier at first, but if you're the confident sort, which it seems you are, go for a short board, but just don't purchase one until you know for sure. No need to go out and spend money yet. Rent or borrow until you are confident you can handle it and you'll like it.

Besides, short boarders get all the chics.

Bali Surf wrote: but just don't purchase one until you know for sure. No need to go out and spend money yet.

Or get a cheap one, plenty of good cheap ones on Craigslist, that way if you don't like it you can put it back in the market.

Thanks for the tips guys. I wanna try to ride a shortboard soon, to see the difference between that and a longboard

Tigerbite wrote:Is it waaaay out to try and get down to a shortboard within a season?

I did haha in like 3 weeks!

Awesome Tazza. Was it difficult?

As a beginner surfer, you need to be catching tons and tons of small waves. Wave count is your friend, and you need to learn to surf and trim small outside green waves. You wont be able to surf sizeable waves for awhile, at least two years. That being said, a bigger board is easier for catching smaller waves. A bigger board will make paddling into smaller waves much easier and begin to allow you to ride the face. My advice is to start on a bigger board. Maybe not a long board, but a mini mal or funboard shape would be ideal. You need to learn to crawl before you learn to walk. If you want to be super frustrated and not get any stoke, then starton a shortboard.