Surfing Waves

Hoping for some recommendations on a first board for a true beginner.

I'm 46 years old, 5'9", athletic, but my flat belly days are a distant memory and I currently tip the scales at 195lbs because of a gut that is bigger than it should be.

I'm a recent transplant to San Diego, and I took my first surf lesson last weekend. I had a great time, was able to stand up for a dozen or so unsteady rides, and am eager to learn and surf more.

Prior to the lesson, I was thinking that if I had fun, I would go to Costco and pick up a $100 Gerry Lopez foamie to learn on. However, after the lesson, during which the instructor basically had me on what I believe was essentially a 9' or 10' smallish but wide stand up paddle board, I realized that the Gerry Lopez, Wavestorm, and other similar bargain "beginner" boards are probably too small for me given my weight and skill level (or total lack thereof).

(I should note, I took the lesson with my wife, and she was really struggling on what I believe was a more traditional 8' or 9' foamie. Because I was doing well on the SUP, the instructor had us switch boards for the last 15 min or so of the lesson, and using the shorter, narrower, more traditional shape was far more challenging for me).

Given that I had success on the longer, wider, SUP style board during the lesson, I've been looking into buying a more typical "surf school" type board that is wider and has more volume.

A couple options I've been looking at are:

The Storm Blade 9ft SSR Maxx (which is huge at 9'0" x 29.625" W x 4.4" T / 145L) that I can get for $450-$550ish new.

or...

The slightly narrower Surftech Blacktips, either the 9ft Wide model (9'0" x 25" x 4.25" - 118L) or the 10ft model (10'0" x 25.625" x 4.25" - 138L), which are in the $400-$500 range new.

I've also been on the lookout for used versions of all 3, but haven't found anything near me as of yet.

Additionally, I've seen a used Walden Mega Magic 10' near me on Craigslist for under $500 (10'0" x 25.0" x 4.25" - 123L), which I realize is a higher end board but seems to have the width and volume that I'm looking for, so that could also be an option.

My goal is to get something that will allow me to have fun, build my confidence, allow me to catch a lot of waves to work on my takeoffs, and help me progress the quickest.

My questions are...

1) Am I right to try to get something at least 9ft or 10ft, 24"-25" wide, and at least 105L+ of volume?

2) Is the SSR Maxx, at 29" wide and 145L of volume, absurdly big? Or is that the perfect type of board for someone like myself to learn on? (I'm guessing it is probably the closest thing to what I used during the lesson).

If I do go the ultra large route, is it possible to even turn a board that wide once I do improve, or is something that large designed to just go straight to shore, and while it could be a great beginner board, is it something I could potentially outgrow quickly?

3) If the SSR Maxx is too big, would I be better off with a Surftech or the Walden, which, while still large, are slightly narrower at 25" and, while still voluminous at 118L, 123L, and 138L respectively, are perhaps bit more maneuverable and will grow with me for a longer time?

4) Am I right to think that something that is 22" or 23" wide and 100L or less will be much harder for someone like me, who is pushing 200lbs, to learn on, and I could revisit those smaller boards in the future if/when my technique improves and confidence grows?

I have zero ambition to be carving huge turns, and my only goal at the moment is to develop a good, smooth pop up technique so that I can cruise for long distances and eventually work up to angling and surfing down the line.

I realize I may also be overthinking this, and the answer could be that any of the above will be fine, or that I should try to find a used one of any of the above for the cheapest price, etc.

Ultimately, I'd like to get something for less than $500 that will allow me to have fun, catch as many waves as possible in the beginning so I can improve, gain confidence, and not get frustrated, and still be a good board as I hopefully progress to an advanced beginner.

Thanks in advance for any advice folks could provide to a total kook.

During the lesson on the SUP. what was the percentage of the surf instructor pushing you into waves versus you paddling under your own power into waves ?

That is a good question. To be totally honest, I'm not 100% sure. I would see the wave coming, and the instructor would yell "paddle, paddle, paddle!" and I was paddling as fast as I could. So I want to say I was primarily paddling under my own power. I wasn't looking back to see if he was pushing me, and it didn't feel to me like he was, but I can't really say for sure.

I am going to look at the used 10' Walden Mega Magic soft top from Craigslist this weekend. If it looks to be in good shape, I may just go that route. Getting it used is probably cheaper than any of the "surf school" boards that I could buy new, and my thinking is it is both a good learning board for me now but also the highest end board that I've been looking at that would grow with me as I progress.

I would have leaned towards the Walden Mega Magic too. 25 inches in width is a lot. 29 inches is too much for your arms to get around to get your elbows deep enough into the water, to get a strong pull back on the paddle.

Thanks, really appreciate the feedback!

Can I ask one more thing...as someone who has never bought a board before, to say nothing of evaluating the condition of a used board, is the stain/discoloration on the deck of this board something to be concerned about? Is it a sign of a possible water leak / water damage, or just cosmetic discoloration? Is it just a matter of feeling that area with my fingers to see if it feels soft/mushy/indented to tell if that discoloration is a sign of a larger problem?

Also, should I be concerned about the indents on the rails here, or is that not a big issue?

Seller is asking $475. Walden is currently selling these new on sale for $675. My thinking is I'd go $375 or $400 max for the used board in this condition, and otherwise can just get a new one for not much more.

Yikes, tie down straps indents. Strangely I just bought a board with similar marks as I know this will be my " I don't care " board. It would be nice if you can get it for $400. Does the seller know those are selling new on sale for $675 ?

Those softops from Surftech, should be board in board construction technology. There is a hard board inside covered by a soft EVA layer.

Just remember, this board will not be your last board purchase.

Thanks, appreciate all your advice and feedback.

I think I'm going to offer the seller $350 and see what they say. Especially because a local shop just listed the same board in slightly used but even better condition for $550.

https://theboardsource.com/collections/surfboards/products/mega-magic-100

I'm going to ask for $350 or $375 at most, and I may even just go w/ the $550 since it is in better shape, has similar but much less pronounced strap damage, and I feel better buying it from a shop than a random stranger.

FWIW 195lbs isn't that big. It might feel big on you, but I'm 6'1" and 195 is a fighting weight. That said I learned as an adult at 200+ on a 9'3"x23x3" plain used and a bit waterlogged hardtop longboard and it had plenty of float and was fine.

Did you get a board?

I’m 5’10 190lbs, athletic 46yo with a belly and started 2 years ago with the mega magic. I had a 9ft. You don’t need nearly that much volume. But if you got it already you’ll find that it paddles super fast and catches little waves easily. It’s just very buoyant and hard to sink the rails in decent sized surf. But they hold their value so use it, and when you realize it’s trying to squirt out from under you, sell it and get a more typical 9’6 or 10’0.

I tried to avoid length, but length is your friend when starting out, If I was starting over and could give myself advice, I’d say get a 9’6 or 9’8, around 23.5in wide, 3.25in thick.

Have fun!