Surfing Waves

Hi all,

Yet another beginner longboard question BUT! I looked thru the forum and can't find much on my size.
I'm 65 kg / 174cm, 145/5'8". Fairly athletic at 50 . Just took my first longboard lesson with my 11 year old son and we loved it. I used a 9 or 9.4 GS, son on a 7 foot GS softies. We both did well I think and got many good rides, so we're hooked. My question is: Can I get away with an 8 foot softy instead of a 9 for myself? And save a hundred clams. Or should I not be a cheapskate and just get the 9? I think because of my weight I can do the 8 foot. Would appreciate any advice . thanks!!

Should be fine; an 8ft softie probably provides a similar 'float' to a 9ft hardboard. It will be a little less 'good' in terms of catching waves and a little less stable etc but shouldn't be terrible

It's more important to make sure the board itself is a good one (stringers etc)

3 feet over your head for newbie/beginners.
2 feet over your head once you begin to turn or your 2nd board.
At 5'8" that's about 8'6" to 9'0". 8'0" softie will probably float more than a 8'6" poly/PU hard board.
Question: did the instructor push you onto the majority/ all the waves during the lesson ?
How good a swimmer are you ?
What type of surf break ? Beach, Reef, Point break ?

That extra 100 bucks will be the best money you ever spent.......


.....at least it will feel that way.....

-When you paddle and try to catch your first broken wave
-When you paddle out back for the first time
-When you paddle and try to catch your first "green" wave
-When you get caught in your first rip, sweep, longshore or other current and get dragged a couple of hundred yards out of position and have to get back
-When you feel like your arms are wet spaghetti (about 20-30 minutes into your next session).


Go big!

waikikikichan wrote:3 feet over your head for newbie/beginners.
2 feet over your head once you begin to turn or your 2nd board.
At 5'8" that's about 8'6" to 9'0". 8'0" softie will probably float more than a 8'6" poly/PU hard board.
Question: did the instructor push you onto the majority/ all the waves during the lesson ?
How good a swimmer are you ?
What type of surf break ? Beach, Reef, Point break ?

Thanks for the questions and advice man,

A typhoon had just passed and the waves were about 2m , 100m from the beach and constant. We were in the 50m off the beach zone and waves were a good 3 foot. We tried as many as we could, there were too many. So yeah we were pushed into most of the waves , from soup, to real but small breaking waves? After the lesson we had two hours free time and ventured out further and caught some maybe 4 footers and got walloped and rode some till we were ragged in an hour, rashed and bleeding a bit haven't been that exhausted in a long time. I'm an ok swimmer. Son is in swim school and is a frog. its a beach break.

Thanks again!

Big H wrote:That extra 100 bucks will be the best money you ever spent.......


.....at least it will feel that way.....

-When you paddle and try to catch your first broken wave
-When you paddle out back for the first time
-When you paddle and try to catch your first "green" wave
-When you get caught in your first rip, sweep, longshore or other current and get dragged a couple of hundred yards out of position and have to get back
-When you feel like your arms are wet spaghetti (about 20-30 minutes into your next session).


Go big!

Thanks bigH,

I did like the stability of the big board. I was surprised how stable it was. I was expecting something like my sons skateboard, but it was more like the coffee table after my 4th ride. My arms were spagetti in 10 mins though
We will probly only surf 10 times per year at first, so I guess that's a good long while to master the big board, many years.

10 times per year......

Get the biggest board you can afford! Or just rent one. If I surf less than 10 times, I would rent. I'm currently surfing most weekend and I'm renting.

BaNZ wrote:10 times per year......

Get the biggest board you can afford! Or just rent one. If I surf less than 10 times, I would rent. I'm currently surfing most weekend and I'm renting.

Yep, if you're not surfing more than a few time a month, you're better off just renting, it'll pay off in the long run and maybe you can go shorter as you learn and get down to an 8ft board
Keep the stoke and protect your wallet

Momoyama wrote:yeah we were pushed into most of the waves , from soup, to real but small breaking waves? After the lesson we had two hours free time and ventured out further and caught some maybe 4 footers and got walloped and rode some till we were ragged in an hour

You didn't catch the wave. the WAVES caught you. And that's fine for a newbie on their first time out. But once YOU begin to paddle for your own waves ( and actually paddle out not walk out to the peak ), you'll realize bigger is better. That said, if you got the funds, get the 8 footer and if it doesn't work out for you, your son can use it or the inevitable cousins or relatives that want to give it a try.

Unfortunately there are no rental shops around here, I'm near the tottori,hyogo,kyoto coast . The place I took the lesson rents but is out of my way for when I want to go on my own so buying looks best at this time. I will rent the next few times this year though. The 9 footer is sounding better and better. If you know of any rental shops in north kyoto let me know waikikichan! Thanks!

Momoyama wrote: I'm near the tottori,hyogo,kyoto coast.

If you can get to the Costco Kyoto - Yawata warehouse, they might have the 8'0" Wavestorm ( or maybe you can have them, bring one in ).

A lot of people who live in Tokyo do rent their boards once they get to the beach, since not many people have cars and the trains system is so good, but max size is 2 meters ( like 6'4" with a bag ) on the train.

waikikikichan wrote:

Momoyama wrote: I'm near the tottori,hyogo,kyoto coast.

If you can get to the Costco Kyoto - Yawata warehouse, they might have the 8'0" Wavestorm ( or maybe you can have them, bring one in ).

Thanks waikikichan,

I'll give Costco a look, if they have it for 15k or so I might go for it.
I've found EPS core boards online for 25k. But that's about half the price of a decent waterproof core softie.
Money better spent on the closed cell core foam.

Thanks for all the help!