Surfing Waves

Hey all!
So I've been surfing for the past few years, however I live where there isn't much surf. So, whenever we feel like catching some waves, we're forced to take a 2 hour car ride, rent a board, and hit the water.
This will be the first summer that I can legally drive - so, I am expecting much more time in the water. I've decided to start the process of purchasing my own board, and I've narrowed it down to either a hybrid or a fun board. I have a very slight frame (I am a girl, around 5'7'' and 110lbs) so I'm hesitant with the fun boards yet unsure of my own capabilities when it comes to the hybrids...can someone please give me some advice??? if someone could also throw in a few of their favorite brands that would be fantastic, thank you!

How good are you is probably the basic question and what type of boards have you been used to surfing?

A funboard will cover learners/low intermediates as well as being good for any skill level, so its usually the safe choice. A hybrid probably isn't quite as good for learners, its more of a second board (the board you progress to after getting a good grasp of basic skills), but if you are surfing a lot then it might be fine. Although you are all keen to take a 4 hour round trip at the moment, you may find that the desire wears off after a while and it goes from once a week to once a fortnight to once a month...

I don't think a funboard should be a problem with your size, you just get a shorter one. You could probably look at around 7ft - 7ft6 or so. The 'better' you are, the shorter you can go. Even under 7ft if you feel comfortable

In the past years, I've transitioned from a soft top (around 8') to rentals that ranged from 7'6 down to 6'6'' - all funboards. I've only had the chance to get my hands on a hybrid once or twice, both times around 6'8'' with just standard epoxy.
Should I wait to get a hybrid then? Perhaps just settle for a shorter funboard until I move (for college, where I am attending has some pretty decent & constant surf)?
And do would you recommend any brands that are on the cheaper side? thank you so much!

How did you go on the 6ft6? that will give you an idea of a good length to aim for - at 180lb I have no real idea what a good length is for someone at 110lb! If you found it ok, then you know that 6ft6 - 6ft10 is a good choice (assuming you get a similar type of board); if it was too hard then maybe around 7ft.

To be honest, there isn't a huge difference between a funboard and a similar length hybrid - both are fairly stable, both can turn, both paddle ok, both can catch waves easier than smaller boards. But a funboard will do all of that just a bit easier than a hybrid, in general terms. Its a design more suited to the learner or the casual surfer, will give you more confidence, will catch you more waves (the absolute key at your stage of development) and will be easier to paddle as you build up your surf fitness. There are no real downsides to using a funboard - I have a minimal (funboard) and surf it in most conditions, so am a bit biased I guess; but its much easier to have fun on it than my 'hybrid' (its not quite a hybrid but close) because of the wave catching benefits.

The cheapest board is a second hand board. No harm in buying one, almost everyone starts off with a second hand one. Most surf shops have a second hand range, and there is craigslist or whatever is the local thing around your area. For new boards, the NSP funboards are a good choice, although not the absolute cheapest; or you can probably find a cheap chinese made board online. These wont be high quality or necessarily built well, but should be fine for 6-12 months (at least) and can be the board until you get a good second board such as the hybrid. If you are looking second hand, then check out the NSP online and look for something with similar dimensions; and google up some articles on what to look for/avoid in a second hand board.

I'm looking at the torq 7'6 mod fun at the mo! That and a hybrid/slayer from westbay.. They might be what you like too!

http://www.torq-surfboards.com/fun-76.html#slide-2
http://www.westbaysurfboards.co.uk/hbnslayer/

I've tried those 7'6 toq mod fun boards and they're great fun! not too long, enough rocker and a rounded tail + super strong construction

Hey thanks for the input benjl, I'm hearing good things everywhere I go and it seems to tick all the boxes for my next step down 'proper' board..not too like my current one, a liiiiiittle more lively and with a slight angle on the nose so I'll grow into it for a long while I reckon. Itching to buy a new board! even though I'm happy progressive on my current one and don't really need it ..yet!!

Yeah, it's got a bit of tail rocker for steeper waves and a V contour to aid in turning and getting on rail. I tried a rented beat up one in bali on kuta beach last year (3ft fat waves) and it was amazingly fun.

I actually brought the 6'6 fish version with the 5 fin option for myself last year and that is a blast too! not sure what your weight is but it works in as little as 1ft for me, not as much float as the 7'6 clearly but also a tonne of fun- especially with quads

I'm around 12-13 stone, think that's 168-182lbs (don't know metric sorry) and 6'2ish so I'm on an 8'4 at mo but when I eventually go shorter I'm thinking 7'6 as I've ridden one before and could still ride it, not massively well but that was a while back and I don't want a board the same as what I have now, I'll keep the two for different conditions and progress onto the shorter board, might take a while but I know it's where I'm going with my surfing so planning ahead!