WHAT I AM LEARNING ON

[kiarragrant]

WHAT do you think? IT IS 5'11 IN LENGTH

[Laguna]

The kind of board you should avoid starting on! Can't say much from a small pic and knowing its 5'11. Whats the full dimensions and how old are you , what do you weigh, how tall are you, are you a fit swimmer, have you surfed before, will you be surfing a lot???

[kiarragrant]

i am 15yrs old and 5'5, 104pnds. I am really fit and a good swimmer.

[drowningbitbybit]

Going pro this summer then?

[kiarragrant]

Very funny

[Laguna]

Even though you are 15, dont weigh that much and your 5'5 I would still recommend learning on a board thats atleast 7 foot for you. That board is fine for your height and weight...etc but not really suitable for your ability if you havent surfed before.
If you decide to learn on that board you will just find everything a lot harder.

[kiarragrant]

Ok i try that

[Laguna]

try what? using the shortboard pictured?

[Laguna]

I'd get a longboard or mini mal if I was you

[kiarragrant]

try a long board

[kiarragrant]

I will probably end up trying to killmyself on this acouple times then after that go for the long board or mini mal.

[Laguna]

You can always rent a few different boards and see what you get on with best

[kiarragrant]

OK that sounds better.

[Brian]

you look pretty mad with those stickers..

i woudlnt even bother taking that out until you can paddle, sit and stand up on a mini-mal

[FormosanSurfer]

Its better to learn on a longboard. That said, I learned on a shortboard. It was painful but i managed it.

[dondiemand]

it took me almost a year to ride a 5'11", started wiht a 7' 4", but now, i can do some turns, so it was worth it..u have to learn to crawl before u learn to walk, u know..i think it's a line from an Aerosmith song

[mylow]

i started surfing when i was 11 on a 8ft soft top n i was glad i did, i would have been about 5ft or shorter. don't start on a short board. i agree, start on a long board on mini mal. and on something quite buoyant and wide so that it's easy to balance

[lowrider_93]

-it all depends if u got natural talent

[bluesnowcone]

lowriders spot on, if your the rite age and youve got natural tallent you can learn on anything, but i would still advise learning to surf on a board over 7'

[rich r]

Ugh.

I have to run to the other side of the room.

I can't disagree more with the "must learn on something bigger than 7 foot" mantra.

Especially for younger groms, I think a shortboard is a great way to learn.

If you're 20-something, or older and just learning, then sure, I would say grab a log and have at it.

But if you're a super motivated pre teen or teen, then grab a toothpick and have at it.

That being said, have at it smartly - take a couple lessons first. Then go out on your own. when you're feeling like you've maxed out your knowledge from the lessons and feel you have a few things that need fixing, go to your surf shop, talk to the guys there and take a couple more lessons. (of course, I recommend that path for anyone just learning, young or old, long or shortboard).

If you learn on a short it is WAY easier to go up to a longboard than the other way around. Plus, all the kids want to do is rip like Slater and Irons, and they can't do that if they're 5'5" riding some beast.

As for 'natural talent', the only talent you need is some semblence of balance. If you can't walk straight without falling down, don't bother surfing. If you can stand on one leg without a problem, then you should give it a go.