Advice for buying first surfboard

[midwestsurfer]

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I need advice for picking out my first board. I have been surfing for the last 3 years on and off during vacations (Florida,Oahu, California, etc). I've rented boards from shops for all of these trips. I live in the Midwest so I only get the opportunity to surf 3x a year or so. I am 16, 5'6, 130 pounds, and very active/in shape. I'm going to college out in LA so I want a board that will be fine out there too. I'm planning a spring trip to Oahu and would like to have a board by then. I want a versatile longboard that I can use in all kinds of conditions, but am unsure of the dimensions and size. I think I'm a beginner/intermediate surfer, I can paddle, catch, ride, and manuver fine. I'm open to any advice! Thanks!!

[saltydog]

Airlines charge some exorbitant amount of money for extra luggage like surfboards not to mention being notorious for damaging them. If I were you I'd just rent during the vacation and wait on purchasing my own board until I settle in a new town.

[waikikikichan]

DO NOT bring a Long board to Oahu, especially if you're staying in Waikiki. You can rent a board with locker for around $100 for 7 days. If you bring your longboard, the plane might damage your board, then what ? If your board makes the trip fine, some hotels do not let your take it in the elevator, and you have to tip the bellman each time he gets it from "storage".

[jaffa1949]

DO NOT bring a Long board to Oahu, especially if you're staying in Waikiki. You can rent a board with locker for around $100 for 7 days. If you bring your longboard, the plane might damage your board, then what ? If your board makes the trip fine, some hotels do not let your take it in the elevator, and you have to tip the bellman each time he gets it from "storage".

That rental advice will suit me well , I plan to get to Hawaii for the Duke Kananamoku festival next year and share thanks for the gifts surfing has given me! I'll surf the south shore and my wife can ride in an outrigger!
Haven't really been back to Hawaii since 1969 , might even stay at the pink lady !

[Brian]

Out here in Huntington I've used a rental service called quivers boardshop to rent when trying to figure out my next board. I did a one month membership for 99 bucks and you can swap out boards whenever you want. They have a large selection of all kinds of craft, plenty of variety with a lot of name brand shapers. The downside is that you need your own fins and leash. I was lucky, they gave me some nice futures as all my other boards are fcs/fcs 2 and I have plenty of leashes. The other downside is that you either have to buy insurance or risk paying for dings you accrue. I didn't ding any of the boards I used though.