Surfing Waves

Hello! I've been researching the minefield of different surfboard options, and would love some advice/opinions please on the best board to go for to suit me, there is so much choice! (: I'm beginner/novice.

I'm about 56kg, 5ft 6, I've surfed a mix of foam boards and hard boards usually around 8ft, most recently 7ft 2 which I got on well with. I've done around 25hrs or so now - I'm able to pop up and catch most waves I go for, turn and surf down the line, though have mostly been in white water, but starting to catch some green waves too, I've not attempted paddling out to the line up yet as its been huge choppy waves during my last few sessions.

I'm at the stage where I essentially really want to keep improving and want to get my own board, I would rather a hardboard than soft as seems to me they perform better and I would like it to be a board I can progress on. I don't live near the coast so I am/will be surfing around 3-4x a year, I would be happy in waves 2ft-5ft.

I've been searching online a lot today, and I'm quite keen on the Kore mini Mal (6’10 x 21 1/2″ x 2 3/4″ 49Litre)(https://www.tikisurf.co.uk/products/kor ... ite-yellow) or the Kore classic fish (6’10 x 22″ x 3″ 47 ltr) https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/kore- ... 2873.aspx/ .

Would either of these be suitable do you think? I am ready to be told I'm an idiot and they are ridiculous choices (particularly the fish...). Thanks so much for any advice you guys have to offer!!

Ellie

Hi and welcome Ellie, sounds like you have a good start and a bit of an idea regarding your first hard board……… I think the mini is better suited at this stage in your learning, howeverI would look just a little longer around 7‘2‘‘ just to fill the paddling requirements.I don‘t know about the quality of the Kore boards, we have had good reports about Torq boards that are similar in shape.

A Mini thruster option is a good board to start with a 2+1 fin system also gives you a chance to fry different fin set ups further in your progress.
Having one base board and trying different fins gives faster progress than swapping up boards too early.
One good board to build basic skills.

A thought some of the surf shops on the coast may have boards in your range that you can test ride, maybe worth a trip!
Where do you go surfing?

I think it's amazing you are improving noticeably surfing 3 to 4 times a year. Generally the bigger the board the more forgiving it is for learning but if you want to be really challenged go shorter. My advice is to move closer to the ocean.

I have a daughter who is learning and is about your size. I have a bunch of boards, so she started off on a 9’x22 eps longboard. We live near the beach so it was off and on from the time she was 6 or 7 until she was 12, me pushing her into waves and riding straight to the beach. At 12 she told me she wanted to really learn, and we started the process. She is turning 15 soon and with once a week frequency her ability suits a 7’ scorpion copy hot buttered mini mal ish board. She’s tried smaller, but decided that this board was the best fit. She can go out in fairly serious surf with it up to double overhead and can cut back both ways. Her goal is to short board. She is ready now for a 6’6” CI Pod so we’ll try that next.

Anyway, I’d recommend a wide nosed board in a mini mal shape. 6’10” might be a struggle at first but if you put time in you’ll get the hang of it.

Learn / Lesson on a board 3 feet over your head.
Once you Trim and start turn ups and turn down then get a board 2 feet over your head,
One foot over your head, you should be confident with all the "basics" and be doing cut backs and such.

Going to a 6'10" will hamper not help your learning curve.

I should have mentioned my daughter was on the 9’ board until this year. It took awhile but after she coukd do what WKK stated as basics she finally was ready fir the next step.

Cheers guys, thanks so much for all of your advice!! I've managed to find an almost new 7ft 2 mini Mal I'm gonna go and collect this weekend for a really decent price, I think that certainly seems a better option rather than going shorter at this stage.

Jaffa1949 - I'm mainly surfing in the UK down south, mostly Perranporth/Newquay way, sometimes Devon (: I would love to move down there if I could!! I'm so jealous of anyone that lives by the coast, Geezer - sounds like your daughter is doing great and so lucky to have you teaching her!

Thanks so much for all your help guys, much appreciated. Can't wait to pick up by board.

Ellie , you are under way, keep checking in we can help coach and share in your adventures, , those adventures will encourage more women to surf and strive through the learning
Post a picture of your board !!
Cheers Jaffa