What is a good surfboard to get a beginner?

[Crazyturtle]

I'm starting to get my first surfboard lessons and wanted to get my own. Should I start off with a soft board or a hardboard? I'm 5'2" 103 lbs 19 yr old girl
I was thinking this one but I don't know if it's right
Liquid shredder fse/eps pe soft board 6 feet
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00554UO ... ref=plSrch Or
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B012NL9B ... ref=plSrch

[saltydog]

Take those lessons with rental boards that they supply. They will know the best board for beginners. What you listed are either not the right size or downright child's toy material. After the lessons and if you still want to continue to surf (not everyone does) come back here for an advise on the next step.

[waikikikichan]

A safe sizing rule for a newbie/beginner is around 3 feet over your head. So you being 5'2", a 8'0"-8'6" should be enough float. Those are more Mini-mals/Min-tankers, but you're light so maybe don't need a true longboard which are more like 9'0"+
Moving up in skills ( and down in board size ), you can figure about 2 feet over your head. So you get into the Funboard/Hybrid/Whale (big retro fish type )range.
6'0" is way too small for you to learn on. Being it's less than 1 foot over your head. ( but better a board than no board I guess )

[Crazyturtle]

A safe sizing rule for a newbie/beginner is around 3 feet over your head. So you being 5'2", a 8'0"-8'6" should be enough float. Those are more Mini-mals/Min-tankers, but you're light so maybe don't need a true longboard which are more like 9'0"+
Moving up in skills ( and down in board size ), you can figure about 2 feet over your head. So you get into the Funboard/Hybrid/Whale (big retro fish type )range.
6'0" is way too small for you to learn on. Being it's less than 1 foot over your head. ( but better a board than no board I guess )

Thanks for replying. I've been looking into what to get and I saw that a lot of people online recommended torq mod fun 7'6" for beginners. What do you think?

[waikikikichan]

I saw that a lot of people online recommended torq mod fun 7'6" for beginners. What do you think?

Well if you are 4'6" then it will be 3 feet over your head and okay. But you are NOT 4'6". AND you are not a "beginner" anyways. Don't get to anxious and ahead of yourself. Your lesson will probably be on a soft 8'0" or 9'0". If you can master that size ( catching the wave by yourself and beginning to make simple turns ), then you can start looking at boards smaller than those.

[flo_dhbomb]

Hi Crazyturtle ! So exciting to be looking for your first board ! Wish I was doing the same. I'm a lady surfer that's the same size as you. I agree completely with the responses above. You want to focus on maximizing wave time at this point and find a board that will help you master catching waves, popping up consistently and eventually learning to make some turns. I started on 9' boards for this reason and even now years later I still surf 8' to 8'6". A short board just creates too many variables to master at the same time and the only advantage is it's easier to haul to the beach. I'm not a fan of soft tops as a first board as they are hard on the skin if you're not in a full wetsuit and they will quickly hold you back from learning. I also look for a board that is a little thinner and less wide. The longer length helps with paddling speed so you can catch waves but a lighter board is easier to carry around and turn once you get to that point. A width less than 22" fits under my arms. Hope that helps and good luck.

[saltydog]

Listen to Wikikikichan and you'll have fun while learning. I've been surfing for a year and if it weren't for the honest and truthful suggestions of this forum I wouldn't have progressed the way I did, which is still not as fast as I like but that's the way with surfing compared to most other sports. When online retailers say "beginner surfer" they don't really imply "someone who hasn't surfed EVER" more like "someone who is still learning basic maneuvers including sharper turns while navigating safely in various ocean conditions." Here is another surfboard size guideline posted by a surf school that I found it helpful. Notice it mirrors Wikikikichan's replies. http://surfcoaches.com/pick-surfboard-beginners/

[saltydog]

I realized that the table in the link I gave above says 85-110lb beginners can start with 7,2-7,10 boards. But from the video clip it seems they use boards shaped more beginner friendly than most. From my family's experience of equipping 3 beginners ranging from 95lb 5' to 160lb 5'10", 8' minimal (round, thick, and wide) would be a good place to start... after the total newbie stage which will benefit greatly from lessons and/or foam boards. Also, fit under the arm test does not apply to short limbed beginners, myself included.

[dtc]

Flo has some personal experience very close to yours; excellent post you to which you should pay close attention