again first board advice :) plz help

[rozi]

Hi all surfers out there am looking for some advice for my first board.

Next school year i am going to exchange progam in Porto. the destination i picked because i want to surf as much as posible
I have been already in two surf camps in Zarauts and Peniche. At first one they gave a BIG Foam, and it did the job, addicting me to surfing. On third day instructor gave smaller one and the last two days of week he gave me 7'3 wahine BIC. In peniche i had foam for two days and then back to mini-malibu (7'3 or 7'9) BIC. Anyway i learn to catch almost every wave i paddle, get some diagonal rides, maybe one turn...and some great fallings

And now i want to upgrade my skills in next year. So i am 184cm=6 feet and have 81 kg= 178pounds. So which board would you recomend and size? (because of durability and price i start looking for BIC, but which one?)
I will be happy for any answers. Aloha

[garbarrage]

Sounds like you had a good selection of boards to try there. Which of the boards that you already surfed did you have the most fun on?

[rozi]

hm.. thats the hard/tricky question, it was 4 months between the camps, an the waves were diffrent, but i think the wahine was better. but is not that board for girls? i am a little bit lost.. new...

which size would you suggest? 7'3 or 7'9 i read the forum for similer problems, and they always say go for the bigger... i would do that to, but i won't have money to change boards there probably.
thank you for answer hope for one more

[garbarrage]

If it has flowers on it it might be a "girls" board but it will surf just as well no matter who is surfing it. In other words, there's no such thing as a girls board. If I were you I'd actually go for a 9ft board. BIC make very durable boards, but not great for performance. You may find something a little bit lighter easier to get better on.

[Threeo]

Just put some wax over any floral designs . There's much more to boards than just size. If you know one feels good just go with it. You'll probably be able to see/try many boards there instead of taking one with you. Try emailing or calling a local surf shop where your going and ask them what they have
Overall, just enjoy