Surfing Waves

She's a total beginner, had a group lesson a couple of years ago but couldn't manage to stand up (mind you she only had the opportunity at 4 waves or so). About 63-64kg (that's 141lbs), 177cm (almost 5'10").

I will be buying a board also, as a complete newbie, so we will learn together. FWIW I'll be buying something like a 8' long, 22" wide, 2.75" thick mini mal.

Suggestions?

The general principal is the same - long, mal shaped, thick, flat rocker etc. However, as she is lighter she doesnt need quite as much volume (ie size). So something around 7ft6 to 7ft10 will be about right. Keep in mind that the bigger the board the more stable (easy to learn) but they are harder to turn - exacerbated if you arent very heavy.

The NSP surf betty 7ft6 and 7ft10 might be worth considering; or have a look at them on the website and find a board similar (BTW: there is no difference between the 'surf betty' and a mini mal of the same dimensions - eg the surf betty and the standard NSP 'funboards' are identical - but the surf betty is 'prettified' - so its not for every woman. Its only a 'female' board in terms of colour, not anything else). Keep in mind the NSP is an epoxy board rather than PU, which has its pluses and minuses (lots of discussion on this if you google).

Again, something second hand is worthwhile

Great, there's an NSP 7'6" funboard for sale now. You sure it's not too small for her? I just don't want her to get frustrated.

http://www.nspsurfboards.com/funboard-76.html


I don't want to get her anything that's too small, and difficult to get waves on. However, I'm thinking about her actually getting out to the breaks as well, which I think she'd struggle with anything much bigger.

What do you guys think for her weight/height? Keep in mind she's a complete newbie, has never stood up.

I would get at least one longboard 9' or longer. A longboard is much more stable and easier to learn on. It will also speed up the learning curve. You can always trade off and having 2 similar boards will limit your options. Also if your wife gets stoked you may get to surf more, so get a longer board for her so she has more success.
Good luck!

get her a softboard, the bumps won't hurt so much so she will have more fun, my wife got knocked in the arm by the board and it was the last time she surfed LOL

I agree with tony - you may as well buy one long board (8ft6+) and another board that is 8-12 inches shorter (so maybe 7ft10) and then you each surf the boards and pick the one you want. If you think the longboard is too long, you have a shorter board to switch to (or at least use now and then).

Or, of course, buy the longer board first and see what each of you think - about right, too long etc. Then pick a second board based your responses (same length, shorter a bit, much shorter etc). But don't fall into the trap of thinking that because you are struggling on the long board (eg perling) that a shorter board will cure the problem. In fact, in almost all cases the shorter board will make the problem worse no matter what your brain may think is logical (eg: perling, or nose diving, is not caused by having a board that is too long. Making the nose shorter would appear to logically reduce nose diving, but doesnt because the length of the nose is not causing the issue).

If you know what you are doing, 90% of the time you dont need that much strength to control a board in the surf; the other 10% of time is when you get hit by a big set or are in the wrong place or whatever. And there probably isnt a huge amount of difference between an 7ft6 board and an 8ft6 board if you are in that 10%. As long as your gf is able to turtle roll and get the nose under the water - which she should at 60kg+ even on a larger board - then its a non issue.

To be honest, I think you pick a board to learn on, then buy another board to advance on or learn different skills on. Its not really a sport where you buy one board for life. If you take this view, then the first board should be long and thick and wide; then you get another board. Better to start off too big than too small.