some noob help

[zacstutts]

Im anxious to get a reply... sorry if this is against message board edicate, just let me know if it is. I posted this in another forum and no one was answering me. Heres my post.
Ok guys. I have been looking at surfboards forever and cannot decide what to do. I am a student at UNCW - UNC at wilmington (I hear there is another person that goes here on this board whos in the same situation) and have never surfed before. I would rather shell out money on a new board now than rent one bc I will have the opportunity to go all the time. So far I have talked to many store owners and they have all agreed I would be best with an NSP. (Virtually Indestructable, good boards). I have my eyes on a 7"2 funboard by NSP that retails at $375 new. Also, at one store, there is a 6 ft 8 BLUE funboard that retails at $288. I think it is used, but it looks virtually new. Now I know the longer board the better, but I do not want to lug a tree around all the time and would want something I could work at for a while before I master so that I could have it for a long time before getting board (haha) with it. I went to a surf store today and they had some used custom boards that I really liked for around $355 and they were 7 ft 6. I would get that one except I am very concerned with durability and know that NSP is what I would need. HOWEVER, used NSP'S are virtually impossible to find around here as it is a surfing city and a college campus. My question is this - what should I do? Get the blue? Shell out money for a new NSP? Or keep waiting and press my luck to find a used 6 ft 8 to 7 ft 2 NSP, or buy the used custom one? Also I need to knwo how much fins usually run bc some of the used boards do not come with them, and I would need to factor that when I am thinking about the total cost of the board. I am 5 ft 10, and throughout the year weigh anywhere from 150-160, with an athletic build. I have lifted weights for almost 6 yrs and am at ~6% bf, so, not that Im trying to be a dick, bc I know I sound stupid for bringing that up bc it has nothing to do with it, but my point is that I would most likely pick up surfing faster than someone who is not as active and so I could PROBABLY handle a smaller board than something around say 8 ft. ANY COMMENTS WELCOME. thanks.

[little waves]

i would say something around 7'6" - 8' would be the easiest for someone your height/weight to learn on without going overboard on size and all. you would be able to catch plenty of waves pretty early on, and it is small/light enough to move around a little. the nsp is a great board to learn on. the custom glass boards will look cool - but they will also damage very easily. while learning people often unintentionaly run a board into the sand, etc and this causes "dings" in custom fiberglass boards which can get expensive to repair, and brings down the value of the board.

that said though...the 7'6" - 8' fun board (that i reccoment as well) will be great to learn on. and if you surf very often you will get good fast. after 8-10 months you may want a more advanced board. you will have no problems selling a fun board in that area, they are a very desired board for small waves and you wont lose much. if you can find a used board, and then resell that when your done, even better.