Surfing Waves

I'm new to surfing and I've been using my friends 9 1/2 foot long board to learn on. I'm only 5'6" 140 lbs and was wondering what you guys recommend I start with. My friend recommended a 7'2" fun shape or a 7'6" long board. What do you guys think?

Personally, I always suggest a newb get a longboard. If you are serious about surfing, you will find it much easier and less frustrating (most quit from the frustration) than trying to learn on a shortboard.

A longboard is easier to paddle, it's easier to catch waves with, it is far more stable when your riding and they help you learn the basics of controling your ride in an easier manner than a shortboard. Think of it as driving a Mercedes instead of a Porsche. Put the Porsche in unskilled hands and the result is not usually very good. Any clod can drive a Mercedes.

True, all the younger surfers want shortboards so that they will look cool and emulate the "hot" surfers in the rags and on DVD's, what they don't realize or don't want to admit, is that learning to surf that way didn't happen overnight, and those guys probably started out on oversize boards to gain skill.

I've seen tons of surfers start out with shortboards and never really develop. They either burn out or reach their level of competency way to early. That's why all the schools use longboards.

Yeah I know that I should start on a longboard, my actual question was what size to get. What is the rule of thumb when choosing a size? I want something that I'll never want to sell and something that'll still be fun to ride on smaller days. I dont want a "beginners-only" board that will sit on my shelf as soon as I move on to a short board in the future. My buddy that is about 6' tall has the 9'6" long board but it feels way too big for me. It's fun to ride and was easy to learn on but I want something that is maybe more fit to my height weight. 5'6", 140 lbs.

Thanks for the reply

9'

I'd go 9'2" x 22 3/4" x 2 3/4"

The width and thickness of the board affect how it rides and feels just as much as the length. Your height and weight you don;t want TOO much volume or you;ll never turn it. I would imagine you also struggle to get your arm round the current one to carry it too?

Fin makes a huge difference too.

Bought this board yesterday. Haven't brought it out yet though...

https://surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3072

My first board was a 9' longboard and it works FINE with me. I', 5'8" and 128 lbs

I don't know why everyone here is suggesting such a long board. I started surfing 1.5 years ago, and I started with a 7'6 funboard. I am 6' and 185lbs, and that board was just great for me. The first three months were a bit difficult just like any new thing... but I didn't have any problem standing on it. After a year I felt that I was ready to go with a shorter board, and just got myself a 6'6. With your weight you definitly can go with a 7'6 or 7'4 funboard. Also, in my opinion, if you start with a long board such as 9', it will take you longer to get to a shortboard (because you will then feel you need something like a 7' or 7'2). With a funboard, once you learn how to ride it, it will be easier to transition to a shortboard.

Good luck...

what board to start out on depends a lot on where you'll be surfing. if your home break has some juice and you want to ride short then go for it. if you spend most of your time at a mushy beach break get a longboard. bigger board=more waves=more fun. maybe try a Bic or something like it. then when you know what you want buy a nice glass board and you'll have the Bic for your friends so they don't ding your good stick.

wizard wrote: Also, in my opinion, if you start with a long board such as 9', it will take you longer to get to a shortboard (because you will then feel you need something like a 7' or 7'2). With a funboard, once you learn how to ride it, it will be easier to transition to a shortboard.

You are assuming that beginners will always want to get shorter and shorter boards as they 'progress'

This redundant assumption seems to exist more in the UK than elsewhere

There are many expert surfers who prefer to use longboards, with good reason

RyRy wrote:I'm new to surfing and I've been using my friends 9 1/2 foot long board to learn on. I'm only 5'6" 140 lbs and was wondering what you guys recommend I start with. My friend recommended a 7'2" fun shape or a 7'6" long board. What do you guys think?

Well first of all 7' and under is a short board. 7'-8' is a funshape and 8' and above are long boards. All three catagories have a diff. feel. I'm 5'8" and 150 lb and I ride a 9'2" board. I love it. I can surf it like any short board. I had it custom made for me and what I wanted to do with it but I've also ridden stock boards with similar response. I recomend for you nothing longer than a 9'2" board. get one that is fast and turns quick. You will have alot of fun on it! FOR REAL!

RoyStewart wrote:

wizard wrote: Also, in my opinion, if you start with a long board such as 9', it will take you longer to get to a shortboard (because you will then feel you need something like a 7' or 7'2). With a funboard, once you learn how to ride it, it will be easier to transition to a shortboard.

You are assuming that beginners will always want to get shorter and shorter boards as they 'progress'

This redundant assumption seems to exist more in the UK than elsewhere

There are many expert surfers who prefer to use longboards, with good reason

Yeah Roy, I think that I may be suffering from both assumptions. I just got a 6'0 fish and a 9'6 log. My main board is a 6'8 thruster. I love them all in the right conditions. I also have a 6'8 bonzer and a 7'0 step up and soon to get a 8'+ gun.

Rocky wrote: Yeah Roy.

Stop it! Dont say his name out loud! He'll hear! He'll know!

You clearly missed out on the Roy phase... His post on this thread more or less makes sense, and doesnt give you any idea of the depths of his inanity, bordering on insanity