Beginner surfer

[Gnarbogarbo]

What’s up y’all. I am new to surfing but have been skateboarding, wakebording, snowboarding, and wake surfing my whole life. I tend to pick up board sports really quick. I am 6’4 195lbs and was wandering what would be a good size and type of board. I want something that’s good to learn on but won’t get bored with quickly. Let me know what you think!
Thanks,
Alex

[oldmansurfer]

That's a tough one. First off is not to many people can handle the steep learning curve that surfing offers. Are you a swimmer? Do you bodysurf? engage in any ocean activities? Unlike all your other sports you have to paddle to even catch a wave. Unlike any of your other sports you need to understand the ocean and the waves and currents and may drown if you make a mistake. How often are you going to surf? What kind of waves do you think you will be surfing? How old are you? Younger people learn faster. I learned to surf on a 6'10" board which was good for me for a few years, however I was quite familiar with the ocean and waves and currents etc having body surfed and body boarded for years prior. I grew up in the ocean. I was a bit lighter than you when I started surfing 165 lbs. But the paddling will be a challenge. We often hear guys who are so good at whatever other board sport wanting to just jump right in and start doing airs or whatever but really you are just a beginner. Having those board sport skills will help once you can paddle and understand the ocean but till then they won't matter at all. Determination is another factor. Availability of waves to ride is another. If you plan on going to a crowded beach your learning rate will be slower. If the waves only break in the spring it will be difficult to learn because you are not surfing the rest of the year. If you go to some uncrowded place and drown that will put a major hamper in learning. It may be a little bit of an unrealistic goal. In my case I wasn't even looking for a board as it was given to me. I learned to surf because I had a surfboard already and knew the advantages of surfing over other wave riding forms.

[jaffa1949]

9ft to,9ft 6 inches longboard!

[dtc]

The ‘easiest’ part of surfing is the bit where you are standing up - after making it out the back, catching the wave and managing to pop up. From that point it’s pretty easy to cruise down the line without falling off. Probably even easier for you.

But none of your sports help you get to that easy point.

In other words, what you have done will help you in that last (but admittedly most important) 3% part of surfing. You still need all the help you can get for the first 97%.

Which is a longboard (or wavestorm)