Surfing Waves

Hi all, I've been "surfing" on and off since I was a teenager (too many years ago). Started off bodyboarding when I was 15, rented a big heavy foamie a few times, but never really had the time to get into it seriously due to life getting in the way.

I'm wanting to try and spend a bit more time in the water now though, as I do really enjoy it when I get out.

Unfortunately I'm living in the Midlands, so it's going to be limited to a week or 2 during the summer and the odd weekend (although hopefully planning to change that in the next few years!) The nearest beaches to me are along the Cardigan bay in Wales; had some good bodyboarding sessions in Llangrannog and Borth the last couple of years.

I'm just under 6ft, 100kg, and definitely not as fit as I used to be!

I picked up a 2nd hand 7'6 PU/fibreglass board on ebay last year, but I think it was a bad choice and too small for me; couldn't catch anything on it and didn't feel very bouyant at all, so I sold it on a few months ago.

After a bit more research, I've now got a 9ft Nsp Protech longboard on the way, this should be far more suitable for my size/ability I hope?

Just after some advice on a boardbag and leash to grab for it.

The other board came with a Bulldog bag which was pretty sturdy, so I'm not averse to grabbing one of those, but they are on the more expensive side, the options I've been looking at are:

Alder/Global TwentyFour 7
Northcore Addiction
Boardshop.Co.Uk own brand
Bulldog

All around the same price, except the Bulldog which is £20 more. All appear to have fin slots, the Bulldog also has a tail gusset to give a bit more space around the fins.

Anyone experienced who can say if its worth the extra? Happy to pay if so, but not wanting to throw money away if not

Won't be needed for flights or anything, just to protect the board in storage in the attic and when on the roof rack.

For a leash, I assume I need a 9ft? Any particular brands/models to go for/avoid, or are they all of a muchness?

With regards the board, its a 2+1 fin setup, but can be run as a single fin, which would be the best for a beginner or is it just a matter of try both and see which I prefer?

Any other newbie tips are more than welcome

The 2+1 fin setup would probably give you more stability than a single fin. It just adds more drag but speed shouldn't be much of an issue in the beginner phases.
A standard leash would probably be okay until you start getting into bigger waves or eventually walking the nose. I would just avoid any coiled leashes since those are more geared toward SUP's. Any straight one should be fine and the length should be at least as long as the surfboard or slightly longer.
Not really sure about board bags.. I don't usually use them.
Hope this helps.

I have a strong epoxy board so I don't even use a board bag even when I drive over 100 miles back in UK. I actually don't like using board bag because you can feel the wind resistance when you drive over 80mph and you can definitely hear the noise it makes.

These days I just use a board sock to keep the board clean.