Surfing Waves

Hay ppl,

i would imagine this question has been posted a million times, so sorry for repeating it again, but i gotta ask!

i've always wanted to learn how to surf and recently a few mates and i finally got round to startin to learn. We had two lessons, using those foam boards for beginners, but with christmas comin up ive decided that i want to get my own board.

I've been advised to get a mini mal, but im not sure of what length i should be choosing. I live in Cornwall, near a surf spot so i'd be using it regularly.

My height is 5'4, and i weigh about 9 and a half stone (not sure what that is in lb's).

Any ideas?

Thanks alot!

xox

Anything from 7'6" - 8'0" would be good for you to learn on.
I'd advise the longer end of the scale - easier to paddle, easier to catch waves, more stable to stand up.

I'd have to say somthing around 7'2-7'4" mark with a slightly wider profile and width. Thats going to give you the stability you need to perfect the pop up.

For your hight and weight anythign bigger than that is unessesery.

PapaWoolacombe wrote:I'd have to say somthing around 7'2-7'4" mark with a slightly wider profile and width. Thats going to give you the stability you need to perfect the pop up.

For your hight and weight anythign bigger than that is unessesery.

Sorry Papa W but that is cojones.
It's too small.

I've never understood why people recommend small boards for beginners. The best way to learn to surf is to catch waves and get the feel of standing up on a board - by suggesting a small board you're just teeing them up for a miserable frustrating time surfing as they'll not paddle well, not catch waves well and barely be able to get up.

Get a the bigger board, learn to surf then flog it in 6 months and go buy a shortboard or move up to a longboard depending on the style of surfing you like.

Trust me on this - I've taught enough folk to surf in the last 15 years!

Going by their hight their being 5'4 thats relativly small. Fair enough longer equals easyer to stand on yep but incredably bulky and difercult to manage when starting out with surfing.

At the end of the day what ever someone starts on if their heart is in it they will progress. Spose its my way of thouwing people in the deep end, non of this pussyfooting about.
Before I saw the light and switched from standup i started out on a 7'2 and progressed fairly quickly cause my heart was in it. got to the stage of geting frustrated with the limitations of stand up esp on UK waves. Gave bboarding ago and loved it... closer to the wave, more versitile list goes on for me

My opinion I guess.

Its up to the individual what they want from the sport... perhaps i'm sick of being hit by stupidly large board that the owners don't know how to handle.

btw 'cojones'... not heard that in ages :D

I see Johnny's point here, infact i see both. But here's my 18 pence worth for what it is.

So your 5'4'' and 9 stone. Thats pretty light. But here goes.

Minimau - 7'6'' - 7'9'', 20 1/2'' - 21'' Width - Thickness, well talk to someone in the board shop about that.

But i reckon at your weight a minimau 7'6'' - 7'9'' should give you enough stability. But as Johnny said, don't worry about shortboards yet. I was a fool and struggled on my custom board all the way from Oz for 3 yrs!!

I used to ride a 6'6'', round tail Greg Webber Pro-Model. It was like being a novice jockey trying to control a race horse who really wanted to gallop fast! I spent most of my time swimming, so rarely managed to stand up. So a minimau is what you want, then you can go either way when you have the ability to do so.

Think of it this way, What would you rather do?

Have a custom made shortboard, look like the other really good surfers, but look like a benny when you can't do anything but fall off your toothpick?

Or, walk down the beach with a minimau, get in the water, catch more waves with less effort and manage to stand up, then be able to practice carving and turning from the drop in, and have a good time and people see that your having a good time?

Which sounds better to you?

Hay ppl,

Thanks for everyones input! Much appreciated, guys...

xox

hi again!
i've been lookin on the net for surfboards, and i've found a few on the fistral surf website, including some package deals.

if you dont mind takin a look, could you let me know if is is the right sort of thing i should be looking at:

this is a package deal: 7'6 mini mal with leash, wax, case and wetsuit-

http://www.fistralsurf.com/index.cfm?content=products&action=view&categoryid=82&productid=953&typeid=4&start=7

there are a few other boards on the site, but i figure if its a good price it would make sense to get a whole package, right?

cheers! xox