Buying a softboard or hiring it?

[S4F]

Hello, I am not sure on whether I should buy a surfboard or continue hiring and I would like some honest answers/suggestions.

Before that a little bit of context:

I am about 6ft tall and the last time I checked, my weight was about 80-82 kg (176-180 lbs). I am quite a beginner, in the sense that I have got a few lessons at beginner/advanced beginner level and practiced a bit. So, I have basic notions on how to stand on the board, to turn etc. However, I am quite inconsistent at the moment and I would like to be able to practice longer and more often, to improve that, before passing to take intermediate level lessons. However, I feel I cannot do that quick enough if I just hire the equipment. This essentially is because of 3 reasons:
1. the current hiring system allows me to have 2 slots of 2 hours per day at a fixed time. which means that, if I am available later than any of the 2 slots, I cannot hire the board. Also, If I am free for the whole day, I am limited in using my board, as there is not an option for a daily rent (like for example for the snowsport).
2. if it is a good surfing day, it is likely all the equipment has been booked and, therefore, even if I am free, I cannot surf.
3. the cost. Hiring regularly would cost me quite some money and, probably a month or 2 would buy me a decent foamie.

Therefore, I am considering buying myself a softboard to increase the amount of time I could spend practicing. The problem is that I live in a flat with limited space and I go to the beach by public transport, so anything from 6ft upwards would be unpractical for both transporting and storaging and anything below, apparently, from what I read, is not suitable for my experience level. I found a 5'6 42 L softboard on the web, but I do not want to invest money on it (as surfboard are pretty expensive ) if then I cannot practice on it.

What should I do? is it really that difficult to practice on a board shorter than 6 ft? Did any of you had the same problem? And, if so, how did you manage to solve it?

Many thanks for your answers and apologies if my English is not correct, but I am not a native speaker.

[waikikikichan]

1) What is the length / size of the board your instructor has you use during your beginner lessons ?

2) What is the length / size of the board that you rent when not on a lesson ?

[Geezer]

I’m thinking you need to stretch and think outside the box. Alternative ways to get to the beach with a bigger board? Being a bit more regimented with your schedule, learning to read surf forecasts and booking boards well in advance at a tine you will be available? Renting space at the board rental to keep your board so you can use it when you want and they are paid a rate for their service?

In the end I believe that yiu realize you need to be on a bigger board rhan public transportation will allow. So thats the issue - going smaller wont help you and bigger is not convenient. So Id forget the “no” and focus on the “yes, but…..” in looking for a solution.

[S4F]

1) What is the length / size of the board your instructor has you use during your beginner lessons ?

2) What is the length / size of the board that you rent when not on a lesson ?

1. depending on the instructor and the sea conditions, they gave me either a 9 ft or a 8 ft. Very first lessons 9', then a bit of both depending on wave size, what was available and how far they wanted to push me.

2. Again, I have rented a bit of everything, partly for the same reasons as point 1. and partly because I feel that experimenting different things is good for my growth as a surfer as it helps . I went down as far as 7 ft . When I used the 7 ft it took me about an hour or so to get used to it and adjust the balance, but at the end of the session I was able to stand on it a few times. I felt if I had a full day available I might have improved even further. To be honest, when I was able to stand on it, I preferred the 7 ft, as it felt more agile than the others above.

[S4F]

I’m thinking you need to stretch and think outside the box. Alternative ways to get to the beach with a bigger board? Being a bit more regimented with your schedule, learning to read surf forecasts and booking boards well in advance at a tine you will be available? Renting space at the board rental to keep your board so you can use it when you want and they are paid a rate for their service?

In the end I believe that yiu realize you need to be on a bigger board rhan public transportation will allow. So thats the issue - going smaller wont help you and bigger is not convenient. So Id forget the “no” and focus on the “yes, but…..” in looking for a solution.

Re the first paragraph the main problem with the surf forecast is that is very changeable, so if I book too much in advance I might find either the sea is almost flat or waves are too big for me to surf, which is the biggest issue. Current times for hiring are about 9:30 am and around 1 pm, which are unsuitable to me during week time, as they match with working hours ( I wish there was a late afternoon/evening session!). More doable during weekends, but that is also busier usually.
Not sure if it's possible renting space. This is not something they advertise, but I might try and ask.

Re the 2nd paragraph I do not quite know: I have read here and in other places that moving shorter too early is discouraged and would actually prevent me from progressing (and I trust more experienced surfers on that), but I have never tried, so I do not know if it is something that I could offset by spending more hours surfing or if it's really a big obstacle (and if that's the case, then, as you wrote, thinking out of the box is needed and any suggestion is appreciated ). The other issue would be how short I can go, as I do not want to buy anything that is physically impossible for me to use (regardless of my level of ability), as I am too heavy for that. I can work on my ability level by practicing more, but I cannot change significantly my body shape.

[waikikikichan]

Here in Japan, the limit is 2 meters for a surfboard ( and it must be in a case ).

What is the maximum length of board you can bring on the public transportation?

[jaffa1949]

As you mentioned, hiring surfboards regularly can add up in terms of cost. Consider calculating the approximate expenses you would incur over a few months of renting compared to the cost of purchasing a softboard. This can give you a better understanding of the financial aspect and whether investing in a surfboard is a more cost-effective option in the long run. However, the problem of storage, as well as transportation, is real here. I myself rent my boards because I usually travel by plane and just don't want to carry them with me for example in Dubai. I find the best renting services that are in the city I am going to and rent it.