New surfboard for a beginner?

[STW]

Hi everyone, I started surfing about a month ago and have decided to get a new board. I have had a foam one for a couple of years (bought brand new) but never really used it until now. Since it was bought, it has spent most of its time strapped to a boat in the sun, without a bag and and has been scratched and bashed about (not intentionally). It still works ok, but the foam on the rails has been baked by the sun and grazes the back of my legs when I sit on it, and the underside is all wrinkled. It doesn't look good. Also, it is 7 ft long, which is longer than I would like. I have been looking for a new board but I have some questions. I'm 5' 8" and 62kg and want a board shorter than 6 ft. Is this a good idea for a beginner and would that be a good size for me? What type of board should I look for? should I buy new or second hand? I want a board that will last me a while and is good to use in a variety of different conditions. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance for answering. Also. if someone can explain what types of boards a good for different wave sizes and types I would really appreciate it.

[drowningbitbybit]

I'm 5' 8" and 62kg and want a board shorter than 6 ft. Is this a good idea for a beginner and would that be a good size for me?

No.
Read around the forum - there's heaps of advice - and you'll see that beginner's need volume. Lots of it. It's possible to learn on a shortboard, but much much harder, and below 6' is much much too small.

Don't think that your 7' foamie is remotely like a real board from a length/volume/floatiness point of view. Just like anyone else, you'll need to start on a board with some length and volume. A mini-mal around the 7'4 mark and 21" wide would be a good starting point.

You don't need to know about boards for different types of waves yet - you just need a board that's suitable for a beginner.

[waikikikichan]

"Also, it is 7 ft long, which is longer than I would like" - How do you know that ? Because it can't fit in your 2-door sedan ? The smaller you go, the harder it will be to catch waves. the more beginner you are the bigger your board. The more advance you become, the smaller you can go. So are you ready after only 1 month ?

" I'm 5' 8" and 62kg and want a board shorter than 6 ft." - Again, how did you come to that size conclusion ? Not from reading any posts on this forum.

Is this a good idea for a beginner and would that be a good size for me? What type of board should I look for? should I buy new or second hand? I want a board that will last me a while and is good to use in a variety of different conditions. Any suggestions? -
1) You didn't say where you surf at and the shape/conditions of the break.
2) if you're rich, buy a new short board to help our struggling surf industry. When you figure out after a couple of tries that a shortboard is wrong for beginners, then you sell it used to some advanced surfer that's poor.
3) You didn't seem to care of your last board. PU/PE glassed boards take much more damage than a molded epoxy board ( much more than a foam board )
4) You can't have it all. But just like Goldie Locks found out Not too Big, Not too Small, but Just Right. So I say a Fun Board on the bigger side of the spectrum ( 7'2" - 7'6" x 21"+ wide ) .

"if someone can explain what types of boards a good for different wave sizes and types I would really appreciate it." - Question for you, what type of car can go Off-road in the mud, Do 11 seconds at 1/4 mile track, hit 230 mph. , get really good gas mileage, carries 5 people,
and be able to put my surfboard inside ( with 4 bags of groceries ) - oh and it has to be reasonably priced.

A Long(er)board can be ridden in ankle high waves yet ridden at the Banzai Pipeline. You can noseride a long(er)board yet still pull round house cutbacks. They are heavier but usually glassed stronger and don't get heel pressures/dents as easily as shortboards. What it cant do is fit in a sedan, fit in a narrow apartment of stairwell, not allowed on certain planes, hard to put your short arms around.

When your at the level of Kelly Slater, then you can ride what he does. For now, ride whats fun. Catching waves is fun. Maneuvers can come later.