Looking for a new Longboard

[dahlia]

Hello,

I have been surfing for about 2 years now, I do live about 45 min from the beach so i try to go as often as possible. I can finally stand up now, but it has taken me quite awhile. I think my main problem is paddling into the wave and timing when i stand up. I am not a strong paddler yet, so i think i am not getting enough momentum before i stand, and part of me wonders if i should get a longer board. Right now I have a 7'6 board, and it is a former rental so was used by beginners. I am thinking that if i get a longer board that is a little wider, i might catch waves better and really start to progress. Its very frustrating to have so much trouble cathing a wave, but part of me is like, its hard now but it is forcing me to work harder and i will get better. But i feel i need to have more fun now so i feel like i have accomplished something. I am 5'8...so if i was going to look for another board, would 8' be ok or should i go to a 9 foot board. The surf in the summer where i live isn't the greatest, so i think i would really benefit from a longer board that would help me get out of this beginner phase.

Anyone have any thoughts?

BTW I am a female. Im 26, so i can't wait to get better....i only wish i had worked up the courage to learn when i was younger! Its something i have been wanting to do since i was in middle school. I neber knew anyone who surfed when i was younger, so I'm doing this all on my own and don't have many people to ask these questions to.

[CloverBoy]

I'm in the same boat. I grew up on the beach, but being the west coast of Florida there wasn't much justification in surfing 1/2 foot waves every other week. I'm 27, 5'9", and just started surfing about 5 months ago. I started by renting a 9' board but found it more challenging to surf something a little smaller. I have a 7'6" board now and I found it difficult to balance on at first. Paddling it, sitting on it, poping up were all a little more difficult than that first few times on a 9', but it was worth it. I'm a stronger paddler now than my buddy who surfs a 6'6", I pop up just fine, and get plenty of rides. I know that eventually I want to add a longboard to my quiver, for noseriding. Just keep getting out there. It may be easier and more fun instantaniously with a 9', but think of how much more challenging it is now, and how gratifying it will be when your really getting good rides on the board you have now.

Just my 2 cents.

GL,
CB

[garbarrage]

how often is often as possible? and what is your general fitness level?

2 years is a long time to have only learned to stand recently... kudos for the determination sticking with it.... if you are really having this much difficulty and have no bad fitness issues then maybe another board could help.
hard to say what would be right for you exactly as i would have thought 7'6 would be about right (unless the board has been damaged a lot and taken in water, lost some float or something). is it particularly narrow or thin? maybe post a pic of it?

failing that, your best bet would probably be to rent a few and see what works best for you.

[RJD]

Go the whole way.

9ft (1 or 2) 22 wide max, 2 1/2 - 3 in inches thick.

Sufings hard enough without handicaping ourself and if you want to longboard get a longboard not a mini mal or funboard .

[justloafing]

Where are you located?

Do you have rentals around you? Yes I would go for a 9'0" probably around 3" thick and not a lot of rocker since the waves are not that great. As garbarrage said "2 years is a long time to have only learned to stand recently... kudos for the determination sticking with it". I echo that!! and RJD suggested not going for a minimal. I think he is right on that too. Get a longboard that can help you on those little waves.

[dahlia]

Where are you located?

Do you have rentals around you? Yes I would go for a 9'0" probably around 3" thick and not a lot of rocker since the waves are not that great. As garbarrage said "2 years is a long time to have only learned to stand recently... kudos for the determination sticking with it". I echo that!! and RJD suggested not going for a minimal. I think he is right on that too. Get a longboard that can help you on those little waves.

Well I moved away from the coast (about 45 minutes) and since the summer is very flat, I only can go maybe 3-4 times a month. The waves are good in the late fall and winter, but i didn't have the money the last two years to get a warmer wetsuit and everything else. Im also by myself so i just haven't gotten into the winter surfing. If i could go several times a week i am sure i would be a bit better. I don't have a pic of my board, but its just an island surfboards epoxy board. I am thinking i could use something a bit longer and wider....something that floats faster which would give me more time to get on my feet before the wave breaks. My problem isn't really my balance, i can get up and stand, Its just the timing of getting up....im just not fast enough yet so when i am ready to stand up, its too late and i just get knocked off.

[dahlia]

how often is often as possible? and what is your general fitness level?

2 years is a long time to have only learned to stand recently... kudos for the determination sticking with it.... if you are really having this much difficulty and have no bad fitness issues then maybe another board could help.
hard to say what would be right for you exactly as i would have thought 7'6 would be about right (unless the board has been damaged a lot and taken in water, lost some float or something). is it particularly narrow or thin? maybe post a pic of it?

failing that, your best bet would probably be to rent a few and see what works best for you.

i should have been a little more specific, i didnt mean two full years of surfing, just two summers of it....but its never every week cause the waves sometimes vanish for a few weeks at a time.

[dahlia]

I'm in the same boat. I grew up on the beach, but being the west coast of Florida there wasn't much justification in surfing 1/2 foot waves every other week. I'm 27, 5'9", and just started surfing about 5 months ago. I started by renting a 9' board but found it more challenging to surf something a little smaller. I have a 7'6" board now and I found it difficult to balance on at first. Paddling it, sitting on it, poping up were all a little more difficult than that first few times on a 9', but it was worth it. I'm a stronger paddler now than my buddy who surfs a 6'6", I pop up just fine, and get plenty of rides. I know that eventually I want to add a longboard to my quiver, for noseriding. Just keep getting out there. It may be easier and more fun instantaniously with a 9', but think of how much more challenging it is now, and how gratifying it will be when your really getting good rides on the board you have now.

Just my 2 cents.

GL,
CB

Thats why i have kept this board (also the lack of money for a new one...). But i guess i am just impatient. I think i might still use my 7'6, but maybe rent a larger board as well and try that out for a bit. Maybe it will keep my frustration down. We have good waves where i live in the fall and winter (fall especially due to the tropical storms and hurricanes), but its definitely daunting to be out in the cold water by myself, especially as a girl. I always feel safer in the summer, especially with lifeguards around.

[garbarrage]

you're right to be cautious... and if this is the most time you can put into it then a bigger board may be the right path... however i really believe if you can put a little bit more time in (hard i know... i live about 2 1/2 hours from the nearest decent break) that you should progress on the board you have..

even if you can get a week or two of everyday there is a good chance you will see a big progression in that time... (few weeks of unemployment worked wonders for me)...

.. as for going out alone... surely there are breaks near you where other people surf... just paddle out and say hi unless there is a real heavy loco ono atmosphere.. surfers look out for each other most of the time (at least where i surf).... good to have a buddy but after a while when you know your limits a little better then lone surfing sometimes becomes unavoidable.

[RJD]

Proper full on longboard will allow you to get more waves, paddle easier and get to & stay on you feet.

I have an 8ft and a 9ft board, the difference with just 1 foot more is huge.

[greypump]

Go for a bigger board with more float but ensure you can carry it under your arms first - if it is very wide and thick you need longish arms!

[Dmd*Grl]

Hey where are you located at, maybe i could check out the problem?

[dahlia]

Thanks everyone for the info. How do i know whether i should go for a 8 or a 9 foot board? Is it just a factor of trying out what works? I am 5'8' so i don't know if that matters/.

[garbarrage]

i'd be inclined to think that if an 8ft board works, a 9ft board will really work. not much of a progression down from 9' to 8'. if you get good on the 9' and want to step down to a shortboard/ hybrid it won't be much harder than stepping down from 8ft...
8ft is more of a minimal, 9ft and you're getting into proper longboard territory... why do things by halves. went from a 9'4 to a 7' thruster without much difficulty myself.

[RJD]

Problem with a minimal is you cant do longboard stuff and you cant do shortboard stuff.

They have their uses but to learn on get the 9 footer will make a huge difference. Just make sure you can cary it.

[justloafing]

Go for a bigger board with more float but ensure you can carry it under your arms first - if it is very wide and thick you need longish arms!

I know that feeling. Being a short armer. I just carry mine on my head

[RWhit]

Hello,

I have been surfing for about 2 years now, I do live about 45 min from the beach so i try to go as often as possible. I can finally stand up now, but it has taken me quite awhile. I think my main problem is paddling into the wave and timing when i stand up. I am not a strong paddler yet, so i think i am not getting enough momentum before i stand, and part of me wonders if i should get a longer board. Right now I have a 7'6 board, and it is a former rental so was used by beginners. I am thinking that if i get a longer board that is a little wider, i might catch waves better and really start to progress. Its very frustrating to have so much trouble cathing a wave, but part of me is like, its hard now but it is forcing me to work harder and i will get better. But i feel i need to have more fun now so i feel like i have accomplished something. I am 5'8...so if i was going to look for another board, would 8' be ok or should i go to a 9 foot board. The surf in the summer where i live isn't the greatest, so i think i would really benefit from a longer board that would help me get out of this beginner phase.

Anyone have any thoughts?

BTW I am a female. Im 26, so i can't wait to get better....i only wish i had worked up the courage to learn when i was younger! Its something i have been wanting to do since i was in middle school. I neber knew anyone who surfed when i was younger, so I'm doing this all on my own and don't have many people to ask these questions to.

So many similarities it's crazy.
I'm 27 and 5'9...I just bought a 9' longboard and have been happy with it. I live on the central coast and am also a solo surfer. This site has helped me tremendously and I would go on craigslist and see if you can find a 9' for cheap. Bought mine for $220 and it's in great condition. Wouldn't spend a lot of money on something you might not like. Surf here in summer isn't that great either...which means a longboard is probably the way to go since those are better for smaller waves.
Hope any of this helps.

[phillwilson]

I echo the general concensus here,

I bought my first 8' board, then tried another surfers 9.2 and liked it so much i went out and bought a 9.4 in the same month. i have held onto my 8' as i feel it might be a good way to tighten up the techneque at a later date (cos you can get away with a LOT on a wide 9+ but at this stage im happy just to be able to go out in ankle biters and still pick up waves.

[dahlia]

We had some pretty decent waves the other day and my 7'6 worked out pretty well, I actually got up and was able to move around a bit on the board. I am thinking of buying an 8'6 board to help me on days when the waves aren't so great. My balance is really good, is just catching the wave that is giving me trouble.

[Kiteboarding]

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