Do I have the right kind of board?

[Iron Lung]

I was given a 6ft 6in Natural Art board. I really want to learn how to surf, but im afraid the board may be too small to first learn on. Im about 5ft 6in, and I weigh 138. Is it possible to learn on this board, or do I need to get larger board?

[Peanut]

I thought I read somewhere that you have to learn on a board at least 1ft taller than yourself I could be wrong as I'm a complete novice myself, I'm guessing you could learn on it but it will take longer. It's all down to volume apparently, the longer, thicker and wider the board the easeir it's going to be to stand up.

[Driftingalong]

You will find it very difficult. Being in VA doesn't allow you to surf nearly as often as you would need to in order to progress on that board. I would look into getting something bigger...wide nose and fairly long (if not a longboard).

[little waves]

as boards are expensive....i wouldnt advise you to go out and blow more money if you already have the board. a larger board is definately easier to learn on - but you may be ok on the 6'6".

height isn't the only thing to look at. boards also come in different shapes. it could be narrower in the middle, and pointy at the ends, and very thin - which would make it a high performance board and dam near impossible to learn on. in that case you may be better off selling it and using the money to get a used fun board or somethng.

it could also be wider in the middle (20" +) and have a rounded and wide nose (measured 12" down from the top, 14" or so across would be nice and wide), be thick, 2 1/2" + thick will make it nice and floaty. in this case your 6'6" board may work for you.

hope that helped.

[Iron Lung]

im not exactly sure of all the measurements, but on the bottom of the board it has written... 64 x 10 5/8 x 18 1/2 x 13 1/4 x 2 5/16

Im not sure what measurement measures what on the board, but does anyone know if that is too small, or too difficult for me to learn on?

Ive gone out a couple of time already, and it is definitely hard, but I did a lot better the second day.

I skateboarded for about 5 years and I did a lot of skimboarding, so that might help a little. Im honestly not sure. Surfing is definitely very different from the 2.

[little waves]

it seems a little on the narrow side for learning, but nice and thick - give it a few goes out, and if your completely lost....go from there. I don't think in VA you would have trouble selling it to buy a longer board....or even bring it to a local shop and see if they would do a trade for you for a used fun board.

[grub]

64 x 10 5/8 x 18 1/2 x 13 1/4 x 2 5/16

18 1/2 is quite a normal width, although a longer/wider/thicker board would be more appropriate you can learn on anything if you are willing and understand that it might be a little difficult ... if you don't have the $ and want to learn, you have a board, get out there and have ago but remember it takes time
_________________

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood"

[little waves]

18 1/2 is quite a normal width

well, I didn't think it was an abnormal size - just on the narrow side for learning

[tomcat360]

In Va Beach, it's going to be rather tough, well it could be better. I have surfed a 6'3"x18 3/4x 2 7/16 for years and weigh close to 175. Until this last summer where I pulled out a longboard and gave it a whirl. I was amazed. I could actually sit out back and catch waves way before they broke. So now, I'm basically conformed to longboards, but I have an egg on the way, kinda a mix.

So it's definately possible to use it. Give it a shot first, and if it doesn't suit, then you can go trade it in. Right now the winter time swell might still be hanging around, so it could be easier than the middle of the summer.

Tell us how it goes.

[Iron Lung]

I actually like it a lot. Ive gone out about 5 times now, and although its really hard, im in love with it. I started out just catching the white water and riding in. My last session i finally went out past the breaking point, and I caught a few waves. I got worked a good bit, but im starting to get comfortable. I stood up my first time, and I was only up for a few seconds, but it was still enough to drive me to keep going.

[Driftingalong]

Uh oh...you're hooked now...

[dondiemand]

sell it and get a funboard, you'll catch more waves and stand up longer