Surfboard 6'6 for a beginner...

[annton84]

Hey dudes)) My name is Antony, I'm a beginner. Had a few surf lessons with 8' softboard, stood up easy. Bought 6'6 shortboard recently, went to the beach and couldn't stand up even for 2seconds!! Can u please advise if it is possible to learn surfing on a such board??? My weight 84kg, length 183cm.
Thanx))

[drowningbitbybit]

The answer isn't actually 'no' but a 6' 84kg beginner on a 6'6 shortboard, the answer is 99.99999% no.

[tony g]

I would get on a much bigger wider board and get the basics down good before trying to get on a shortboard. Also when coming off a longer board it is ofter best to jump to a hybrid, funboard, or even a fish before getting on a shortboard. Longboards are easier to learn on because a longer wider board is much more stable, easier to get up on, and catch the waves with.

[Toj]

Hi Anthony,
i spent 1 day on an 8ft soft board, the next day on a 8ft2 bic board. once i got home i went out and bought a Bilbo 8ft minimal, and its perfect for me. some people say that at my stage at learning to surf even that was too small, im 6ft2 and 95Kg (rugby player) but its the best thing ive ever bought. i did get a nice set of MR TFX FCS fins to give me extra drive and hold in the turns. but my recomendation would be to get a minimal. learn the basics on that. its not just about standing up on your board and going with the wave. you want to be able to surf the face of the wave. surf up and down the wave and really get to grips with it before getting a shortboard/funboard/fishtail. the next board i want to get is a nice fat boy fish tail with plenty of float and some good width and depth. you could surf a 6ft6 shortboard, but you would need some considerable wave to give you the power to keep you on the board.

Regards,

Tj