Surfing Waves

Newbie here, when i say newbie i mean i have no idea at all!

Tried surfing when i was 14, loved it! Had an issue with my ears which meant i couldn't go underwater without one filling up 9 years later all is now good. So would like to pick up from where i left off.

Would like a shortboard, i'm 5 8" 140lbs riding ability is next to nothing. Used to skateboard when i was younger if that helps..

Would really like some help on picking out a board, will be cheap though

Thanks!

It's just occurred to me that im one of those annoying newbies that come along an ask the same question without properly searching forum! Im off to the Surfing lessons for all sections

Well done on using the search function, the only annoying newbies are the ones who ask that question, and then insist on ignoring all the good advice in favour of looking "cool". What did you find in your search?

Welcome to the forum.

That's another thing I noticed! Im not new to forums so I should have known better!

I think im going to get a short board 6'2" as it's sort cheap an good enough to practise with an also get at least a 7 footer to start learning again.

Although I seem to prefer the challenge of trying to stand then actually standing

There's never a shortage of cheap second hand shortboards so there should be no reason to rush. You'll find a 9ft board much more useful, both now and in the future when you want a small wave option. 6'2 will be no use to you now whatsoever and may take a couple of years before it is. Even then you won''t want any old shortboard. You'll need a much fuller version, slightly wider/thicker than a standard one.

As for standing, that's nothing compared to the feeling of flying down an open face with a nice wall in front of you. Something you will experience a lot sooner and a lot more often with a longboard. The benefits of starting on a big board are endless - learning to read a wave (because of the much increased "face time") in my opinion being the most important. Without being able to read a wave, you will have no idea what to do and when on a shortboard even though you may have learned to get to your feet and turn every so often.

garbarrage wrote:There's never a shortage of cheap second hand shortboards.

Often being sold by newbies who ignored the advice to start longer and have become frustrated and given up.
This is a good result as the lineups remain a little less crowded by fashionable would be surfers.

Ahh i see how this section works. It's for the experienced and knowledgable who offer sound advice. I only wanted a short board as i prefer the look and feel, though i was ignorant to how difficult it would be so am happy to take the advice of those who know best.

Cheers for the advice, has helped narrow my search down. Unfortunately where i live, second hand boards are harder to come by so i will keep an eye out.

Wherry you're 23 so the odds are better for learning shorter but why not look at a compromise, something 8ftish, not a fish but a good shape with some volume, makes the paddling easier and that is an early thing you need.
If the older more experienced surfers seem a little disgruntled, it's because we often get posts further on with people wishing they had gone longer first off.

Go out have fun and hopefully recapture what you started when you were 14

I have found a board that is 7.4 with all the gear for only £100. I'm not going to commit but it does seem like it could be what i need. I will however keep an eye out as where i live is a small island so things are not so easy to find second hand.

I understand the disgruntleness, i'm a member on GolfGTI.co.uk the section i post in (I have over 4.5K posts) we get the same over and over again posts.. i've even created a FAQ that hasn't seemed to help. Of course it's always nice to have information handed to you then to search for it as sometimes it can be more generic then specific but in this case, it's generic!

My first post on here wasn't quite the same but not far off it. So don't worry.

A 7'4 will do the job. It will be harder if you're up for a challenge. Stay away from pointy-noses. They look cool but don't do the job properly. You have a link to a photo of the board you are looking at? A 9ft board will still be miles better, and I think there will come a day where you will regret not having one, after you have progressed. You will be out on a small day (too small for your short board, so you bring out the 7'4) and the guys on logs are taking all the waves.

A 7'4 is much more realistic than a 6'2, and more than possible to learn on. Drawing on my own experience, I wish I had gone long straight away.

First post Feb '08:

garbarrage wrote:hey guys n gals, surfing for 8 months. moving from a minimal to a funboard 7'9" to a 7'2" pointy thing. had it out twice so far and am just getting to grips with catching waves. however when i stand up the wave keeps passing by after a short ride. am in the whitewater getting used to the board. could this be a factor? do i need to take it out to bigger waves or is it purely a question of getting the balance right?

About a month later:

garbarrage wrote:just back from a long weekend in Sligo, had 2 days of ripples that i didnt bother with but on the last day the cleanest ground swell i've ever seen started pumping. very near head height and spilling.

surfing about 9 months and went from a minimal to a gun shaped pointy nosed 7'2" board about a month ago and have been struggling ever since. met a local legend on the beach who opened my eyes... he said to stay away from anything with a pointy nose. bigger board = more waves = more fun. (something i think i was losing sight of in my bullheaded struggle to master the shortboard).... he loaned me a 10' nose rider and i'm hooked! had the surf of my life!

anyway know nothing about longboards but gonna buy one soon. have been recommended to get one near 10' nose rider with a pin tail. any advice? any other info on longboarding anyone would like to volunteer would also be greatly appreciated.

All the boards that are for sale seem to be no bigger then 6'6" and the ones that are seem to be asking £250 - £500 and i'm just not willing to pay that. £150 at most as i'm saving to go travelling!

This is the board:

Board comes with Rhino boardbag (pictured), Gorrilla grip tail pad and leash (leash and tail pad bought last year).

The board would be good to learn on and has plently of volume for small waves.

I'm not too worried about not being able to catch waves straight away. Would just like to get in the water, get my paddle down and learn the basics again. After a month if the board is no good i can just sell it on at only £100 i wont really have anything to lose.

Any further advice would be great and certainly listened too

Pretty standard funboard. A mini-mal would be better. Like I said, it will do the job, and for £100 you can't really go wrong. You're already on the right track focusing on paddle fitness. 90% of surfing is about paddle fitness. Where you planning on travelling? If its somewhere with good consistent waves, you could get a head start.

I found from my own experience of moving down board sizes that, once you get below 8ft, you really need to give it that little bit more dedication to progress. Keep us updated anyway.

See i'm listening to your advice!

I've found this. Not a great picture i know, but may be more of what i am after..



Peter Lawson - minimal - 7'6

A little tatty but comes with a bag and leash!

that would get you out of trouble. As long as it's not damaged badly, and isn't waterlogged/delaminated that looks like a good mini-mal. I learned on a fat 7'6.

Ahh that sounds great!

This board is a great - but time to go. A few impact marks, but nothing that noticeable and certainly not structural. Used for 2 years in Jersey only. Make me a sensible offer around £150 - comes with bag and leash

Sounds like it will do what i need it for then and they claim it's only slight impact marks

Good one Wherry, that should do the job nicely, next recommendation, use it often and well!
The fun has begun.

Awesome, thanks guys! I've text the dude, lets hope it is still for sale! *excited*

Well no one has got back to me yet! Still not even entered the water Will go and rent a 7'6 this Saturday and think i should invest in some booties too!

About to go out for my first session in 10 years! Wish me luck!