Surfing Waves

Hi guys, just discovered this forum and loving all the great advice.

I've decided to give surfing another go, after 10yrs of doing none. Perviously I was still a beginner, getting to my feet, but on a board that was too short for learning on a 6'10 fish. I'm 39yrs old, 5'11 and weigh 83kgs with good fitness. (Swim about 3km's a week).

I got back into it a few months ago, by taking 6 lessons on 8ft softboards. Since then, I've been out 3 weekends in a row riding a 7'10 NSP battered rental in beach break. Getting up on about 80% of waves and got up on a couple of green waves in 2-3ft which was epic. Have been able to turn front and back side and then straight line down the wave, til it runs out of power/ me into the shallows.

Am looking at buying a board and wondering what to go for. I've got the opportunity to buy an epoxy 8'6 mini mal which is 8'6 x 22' 3/4 x 3 1/4 for £250. Or could look around for an NSP.

What I want is something to catch as many waves as possible on. Advance my ability and water skills.

Would the 8'6 mal be more cumbersome, than going for a 7'10, or 8'2 NSP (or similar), or would it not make any difference, at my ability/level. I found the 7'10 NSP rental a lot more manouverable and easier to turn in the water, than the surfschool's 8ft softboards.

Any help or advice appreciated.

Johnny,
is it possible to try the epoxy mini mal? Epoxy boards are more "corky" than other boards and, therefore, not for everyone. To me, it's like surfing on top of the water compared to surfing as part of the water on my traditional polyester resin foam board. The length, at 8'6", would be OK; especially at this stage.
You figured this out: "Don't get a soft top barge!"
Final thought: you'll catch more waves with the longer board (could be more fun?)

Hey Billie thanks for the help. I will ask if I can try the 8'6 and see how I go on it. Here's a link to the 8'6. The one I'm considering is a second hand one with the same spec.

http://www.westbaysurfboards.co.uk/thepup/

If the second hand board is the same brand and same specifications I'd look at the condition if it's good go for it.
BTW I'd call the board an all rounder it will be a board all round just about any conditions you will encounter whilst learning,IMO a good choice

To answer your original question, an 8'6 would make it easier to catch waves than an 8'2 or 7'6. Cumbersom? Maybe, but if you want to catch wave then the bigger the better. If not sure buy used, that way if it is not what you expected you could sell it and buy another.

Good luck, and welcome back to the stoke

Hey guys, I had another look at the 8'6 x 22 1/2 x 3 1/4 yesterday and on closer inspection my only concern is that it's clearly an older version and doesn't seem to have much design technology at all ..... the bottom is completely flat, no concaves..... exactly like the bottom of a beginner foam board, so wondering if it's going to be easy to turn. The tail is a diamond tail shape which I haven't seen before. It's a hell of a lot of board and just concerned that it'll be cumbersome in the water, bearing in mind I've been renting a 7'10 NSP and getting up fine on that. Should I just hold out and keep looking for something else in the 8ft+ range.

Thanks for any input, and hope everyone has a great NY's.

If you where doing ok on the 7'10 before then just go with something comparable, if you where having problems catching waves then go bigger so you can catch them easier. You know what works for you now, just go for it.

As to concaves and what have you, unless you are a really good surfer I doubt you will know the difference between one that does and one that doesn't. The NSP, for example, has no concave, and you seem to be doing good with it.

Update....

Still not committed to buying and been renting. The 7'10 has always been rented, so I've been using a 7'6 NSP funboard rental. Been struggling to catch clean waves on the 7'6. If I sit further inside, I'm catching waves on it, but then closing out on me, so definitely need a bigger board to get up earlier. Will try and test the 8'6 and update you on how it goes.

Where are you at? Maybe we can recommend another shop, you should be trying different brands to get a better idea