Surfing Waves

In the last 2 months I have been to Costa Rica twice and stayed at a surf camp both times. A total "tale of two vibes", but more about that in a different post. At both camps I rode a 9'6". I paddle well, catch waves well, no real issues with pop up and can turn (left and right) and ride down the line. Still a kook, but starting to understand surfing a little better.

So, the age old question that has probably been asked here a bazillion times: I am looking to buy my first board. Comfortable on the 9'6" but looking to slowly cut some length from the board without doing the "I want a short board" thing. Which, I don't. For now I am loving the longboard. Slow wide turns, brother. So, is there an advantage or disadvantage to getting a 9'?

Thanks for the help

Songdawg

Not much disadvantage, get set up for a pretty much standard 9ft say 23” wide 3” thick, have a 2+1 fin set up so you can play with. Read the fin primer here to get some insights about fins and placement.
About the turns, pretty much normal in learning curve to do wider arc turns in the early days. As you become more skill your turns will become sharper and more punchy.
You will be able ride pretty much everything, but the more extreme the breaks are more more your skills have to be honed to match.
Advice, post pictures of your intended board, we can advise on that, good board will be good for quite a few years and levels of skill.
Nicely planned midlife crisis, nothing better!

You’re only thinking in one dimension - Length. Imagine if the police are looking for a suspect who is 6 feet tall ..... and that’s it. What if the bank robber was 250lbs. ? What if he was 125lbs. ? They look totally different. You just can’t go on just one dimension such as length ( or worse just on VOLUME ). There’s some 8’6” boards that out paddle some 9’0”s. I’ve ridden a 10’0” that was easier to turn than my other 9’2”. Everyboard is different, just like humans.

Songdawg wrote:So, is there an advantage or disadvantage to getting a 9'?

Are you aware of the different types of longboards? Performance, allround and nose riders?

I think most people in your stage are best served with an allround board.

Performance longboards need bit stronger waves and are harder to paddle and nose riders can be a bit hard on takeoffs on steeper waves because of their flat rocker line.

Jaffa and Tudeo are right. I would stick with the longer wide board to start with. At least 9' 2" and 23" wide. Right now you want to work with smaller waves, and the paddling will be easier. Remember easier paddling makes for catching more waves. Good luck!