board best for a 7 year old beginner

[nakedrhino]

We plan on getting our son a board & wetsuit for christmas.

We are having a hard time figuring out which board we should get. Mini Mal or Funboard.

What length. My husband wants to get an 8ft but I think we should get something no bigger than 7ft.

He is 60lbs & 49in.
He took some lessons earlier this summer and fell in love with surfing. It's all he can talk about.
We live two hours away from the ocean. We go about 6 times a year, a week at a time. The most we'd go is probably 15 times a year. Not a lot.

We have 3 boys so far. Our 7 year old being the oldest. Durability, something that'll last is a must.

[dtc]

Have you thought about a softboard? (or are you thinking of a softboard)

Few 7 yrs olds can control an 8ft board in surf (none, I reckon could control a board in even medium white water). Few can control a 7ft board either, but if its a softboard then it probably doesnt matter as much. Plus you can use them around other people without injuring anyone badly.

If you are talking about a softboard, then 7ft should be fine in a minimal style. Sure when he is 12 he may wants a bigger board (as he gets heavier) or may not (as he gets better - or might want a 'proprer' board); but generally you cant buy something for a 7yr old that will still be the right size for a 12 year old.

Or you can get, say, a wavestorm board (8ft) and recognise that he will require a fair bit of assisted for a few years