Surfing Waves

Hi everyone!

This summer I'll be on vacation in California and I want to start surfing. I am thinking about buying a used longboard instead of renting one for several weeks. Currently I try to get some information about what exactly I have to look for.

I am 6.5ft tall and weigh 176lb

I really appreciate any help you can give!

Thanks!

Without trying to 'fob' you off, if you search on this forum for 'first board' or 'beginner board' you will come up with a bit of information - dig through that and if you still have questions come back.

In short, given your weight (and height, although height is a lesser concern), something around 9ft long, 22inches wide and 2 5/8 thick (give or take a bit on all those measurements) will be fine. An epoxy board will be tougher (arguably less performance but not an issue at your level) and cheaper, if you can find one second hand; but a normal PU/fibreglass board will be good as well. 3 fins or 1 fin, doesnt really matter at this stage.

Obviously the board should be in good condition. If epoxy, no cracks. If PU, no yellow/discolouration of the foam (under the fibreglass). Cracks and dings are OK, so long as they dont go through the fibreglass or have been repaired.

You will need a leg rope about the length of the board (go a bit longer rather than shorter if you cant get the exact length). So 9ft leggie or 9ft6. This might come with the board or may not.

Then you are ready to hit the waves!

If you are surfing for the very first time and dont know if you will enjoy it (unlikely as that may be) or dont know if you will be able to do it very often (eg you dont live near the beach), then you could probably get away with one of those Wave Storm boards from Costco. I have never surfed (or even seen) one, but they seem to be pretty highly regarded and under $100 and no need to trawl through second hand ads. This is not 'the best' solution, but its a perfectly fine solution if you want to muck around and try things out. You will have to buy a better board pretty quickly if you continue surfing; so judge whether it suits your circumstances.

I would suggest a few lessons as well to get you started.

Hi dtc,

Thank you very much for your help!

I already read some of the other threads in the forum... but what I was missing, was some information about the length, width and thickness of the board I would have to look for. Next time I will be more precise with my question Nevertheless thanks for the summary!

I guess for the first days (and lessons) I will rent a board and after this look for a used board!

Greetings!

No problems. Most longboards are more or less those dimensions anyway, they are pretty standard. In terms of variation:

- anywhere between 8ft4 and 9ft4 will be ok - 9ft (+/- 2 inches) is ideal, but a bit shorter is ok. A bit longer is ok as well, but it starts getting unwieldy and you dont need it for your weight

- I wouldnt go below 2 5/8 inches if you can help it, but thicker is ok. Over 3inches might be a bit too much but doesnt really matter.

- for width, 22 inches is about normal but down to 21 (but no narrower) or up to 23 (or even a touch wider or so will be fine. Wider is usually better than narrower for a beginner

the only other thing to look out for is that you dont buy a 'gun' by mistake. A gun is specifically designed for very big waves, but is often 9ft or so long and so sometimes seems like a longboard (mal). The difference is easy to spot - a gun has a narrow pointy tail and nose; a mal / longboard has a rounded nose and more rounded tail

Gun



Mal/longboard

Wow - that's very detailed!

Thanks a lot and have a nice week!