Buying a first board

[bertyruns]

Hi,

I'm sure this topic's come up again and again! Sorry!

I'm new to surfing, had a good few hours of lessons, ie. I learnt in Bude two years ago, and surfed last Summer in Newquay, and we're going back to Newquay this year, but I reckon it's about time I invested in a board of my own. I don't want to have to keep renting them every time I go, and if I own one then I'd be more inclined to get out there (and down there - I live in Manchester...)

I think a MiniMal will be perfect, I learnt on a foamie and rented a 7'9 MiniMal last year - even managed to catch a wave once or twice... (!)

I'm 19, female and 5'5, I weight about 135-140 lbs, depending on how much exercise I've been getting haha.

The thing is, I'd prefer to get a second-hand board, monetary reasons mainly, and I've been looking around a bit but without much direction to be honest.

There was this 7'4 Spider Murphy I was a little bit interested in (£180), but the mood on these forums is that Spider Murphys are no longer the boards they used to be and are mass-produced in Asia these days.

So what I'd like some advice on, please, is what the perfect first board would be for me? Perhaps a make that I could look out for when scouring the second-hand board sites on the internet? Or if anyone's got a board to sell?

I realise that it's difficult to advise someone you've never met don't know the style of, but any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks ever so much!

Berty.

[tony g]

We find giving surf lessons, almost everybody learns to surf much quicker on a longboard than on a mini mal. You said you managed to catch a wave or two. What if you were able to catch 20 waves. Think how much quicker you could learn to surf. Besides you would have more fun because you would be riding more waves. I would suggest buying, or renting a longboard till you get it all down. You then can work your way down on board size. Longboards are also great to keep around for those small mushy days.

[surf patrol]

Hi bertyruns, welcome to Surfing Waves!
tony gives good advice on the size of the board. Longer is better for learning on, and you'll have more fun.
Buying a second hand board is a great way to go when you are starting out. Specific brands do not matter, as long as it's not a poor quality or mass produced cheapo surfboard. If you can wait, get you board when you get to Newquay. You'll be able to inspect what you are buying (essential for a second hand board in my opinion), and you'll be able to ask the advice of the surf shop employee.
Here are some pointers on buying a second hand board.