Surfing Waves

Ok so I've never surfed before and plan on starting probably next weekend. I have a question about what size board I should get. My friend has an 8' (or around there) Bic that he's gonna let me borrow to learn with. I'm about 6-6 350lbs. Do you think that board would be big enough to start on and how big a board should I get after I decide I'm gonna stick with it? Just lookin for some ideas before I actually go out and talk to some people.

Hi there and welcome to surfing-waves

An 8' Bic is perfect for beginning to surf on, especially if its a friends, as chances are you will 'outgrow' that board pretty quick in terms of ability. After you've picked up the basics you will have a better idea of whether, eventually, you want to move up or down in size in terms of boards. A very simplified version is the bigger the board, the easier it will be to learn on.

Have a search on this site and you will find heaps of topics on board lengths, widths, styles etc. It depends on a whole heap of factors including the types of waves you will be surfing, how regularly you will be surfing and your current fitness levels. Go with the Bic for now, you might find that you are a natural and outgrow that board in a few weeks or it might still be perfect for you in two years time. Have a search on this site, and on others and if you can, talk to as many different surfers as possible. Go and talk to people in surf shops if you can, but dont believe everything they say, remember that they are there to make money.

Good luck and happy surfing and searching

Hi

Bics and other pop-out style boards are fine for learning on and more robust that custom boards.

Given you are 6/6 & 350lb I would go fo something bigger than 8ft, say 9 to 10 feet (3metres in Bic metric speak) or even more and most importantly plenty of float (volume of board) otherwise you may find it hard to catch waves. Hire a few boards at the beach first and see what it easiest to ride before handing over your hard earned for your own board.

Enjoy the surf

Ed

best thing about bic tho, the bigger the board, the better they make them, bic has rubish shortboards, but when you get into the longboarding side of thing, they'v nicked some of the best shaped longboards in the world, and turned them into pop outs.

Blue

True on the Bic shapes for long boards - the 3m I saw had a bottom shape very similar to my Stewart hydro-hull - triple concave and all

Ed

Thanks a lot guys. I went out with some friends today and surfed. The waves were absolutely horrible (only about a foot or two high, I think my friend said) but I came close to getting up a few times. I used another friend's Bic that was about 9' long, but had almost no wax left on it. Then I tried another 10' fiberglass board that had some dings and cracks. It was tough cause the waves were so bad, but I had fun and I can't wait to get back out on a good day.

the bigger the board the easyer it is to learn, but if you want to shortboard, it will be very dificult going from a longboard to a shortboard, u'll probaly have to buy a funboard which means more money, but i dont see whats wrong with longboarding, i longboard and i love it, its so much smoother and relaxed, and if you get the right board you can still do cutbacks and off the lips, it just takes more skill.

its a matter of preference really the longboard/shortboard thing. i agree its best to start on a longboard. once you can surf you need to decide what kind of style you prefer. i find lonboards too difficult to turn so i ride shorter boards. i just find them easier to manoevre and such. i like shorter minimals too though, like 7'4. tis all down to personal preference.

i disagree, i dont think its easier to learn on a longboard, the foamy boards are the easiest for beginners, and safest. A mal may be big and stable but its also big and clunky, and picks up a lot of momentum from even small waves, which can hurt if it hits you. For a beginner who may not have much if any experience of being in the sea a foamy board is much safer. They float you up as high as a longboard and pick up waves as easy, and are much easier to manouver about. i dont see any of the local surf schools here using minimals or planks anymore, theyre so 1990s
by all means try it on your mates 8 footer, but if you want to take it up yourself you should seriously consider a foamy board as your first board, you will progress quicker on it than anything else, and it wont get dinged/smashed up, so you can always sell it on to another beginner when you move on to your next board.

Good Advice from GowerCharger.
It would be better to get at least 1 lesson with a surf school to start with. You will get the basics on safety, a nice floaty soft board, and get taught correctly. No bad habits from your mates
Have Fun