Recommend a Softboard for me, please

[farmerjohn]

Hi all,

Yep first post, sorry if it's been covered before but.......

Always wanted to surf and am going to give it a try this summer. I'm not looking for big action , I just want to get up on a wave, feel it and smile. Maybe make a turn in a coupla years.

I'm set on a soft board for obvious reasons. I'm 45 in decent shape, 63kg/145lbs, 172cm/5'8". I want something I can use for a long time and also that the kids can use. The oldest is 10 and average height skinnyness. From net shopping I think something like 7'6" X 20"wide looks right. How does this sound to you guys/gals? Can I get away with something 6'6" or do I need to go longer?

I'd appreciate any advice you can give and personal stories from softboard riders/learners,

Thanks,

John

[esonscar]

Get a foamy for each of your pipe-liners ..... seek them cheap second / third hand.
Then get real ones for the kids, but you stay on the softie as they will progress faster than you !
[I am joking of course !]

Hey, seriously;

Go get surf lessons for all of ya' and then see what might suit y'all .

[farmerjohn]

Thanks esconsar,

Second, third hand is just about out of the question, unfortunately.

What size board do you recommend for my height/weight/geekiness?

[esonscar]

^ Honestly, get a surf lesson and after the lesson the same day you should be able to hire a surfboard - you may then compare the softie to a hard board.

If you want a hard board straight away, go for a 6'6" to a 6'8", the 20" width as you mention being the absolute maximum width for you.

If you can get something narrower at say 19½” to 19¾” and 2 ¾” to 3" thick that would be better suited to you I reckon. Though this will not be all that easy to learn on at first you will get there and rip the waves.

And just to mention, no mater how fit you are – surfing will ache both body and pride at first !

Enjoy

[farmerjohn]

Thanks again, I'll try and get a lesson.

Any other foamy ideas folks?

[esonscar]

[edit wrong post reply !]

Come on you lot help someone out !

[billie_morini]

OK, I don't believe in soft top or foamie boards. I like to see people learn on 9ft fiberglass longboards. Foamies are strange because they have this soft surface. It takes away from the experience, control, and stability. Hundreds of thousands of people learned to surf on fiberglass longboards long before foamies were invented. It went very well for most ofthem. Yes, a foamie provides even more floatation than a longboard. But, 1) a longboard provides adequate floatation for beginners, 2) foamies are heavy as he** to carry, and 3) have a limited usefulness. I've taught a lot of people to surf and they've always done very well with a traditional fiberglass longboard.