Surfing Waves

I was wondering if you guys could help me pickin out the right board for me. I have never owned a board and iam trying to get out there and learn how to surf. I do not know where to start I have tried figuring out what size board I need but there is many options. Iam 5'7 and I weight 170lbs. Should I get a board thats 8 feet or 9? Any information would help. Thanks.

It depends a lot on the surf conditions in your area, but the general rule of thumb is to get a longboard. They catch waves easily and are usually more stable and forgiving than shortboards.

My advice would be to go to a surf instructor and take a couple lessons on his/her boards, then ask to buy one off them or go buy one just like it. That way you know a board will work for you and you've already gotten used to the feel of a particular board.

If you're not down to spend money on surf lessons, go with a 9'0-9'4, about 22"-23" wide, and 2"-3" thick. The larger the overall volume, the easier it will be to catch waves as a beginner. Try going for a pop-out foam board like a liquid shedder or NSP before buying an expensive handmade epoxy or fiberglass board.

Thanks. I have been looking at many board but i dont like the 9'0 board i want something smaller. will it be possible to get possibly a 8'0 board? Would it be a little harder to learn on them?

alex3443 wrote:Thanks. I have been looking at many board but i dont like the 9'0 board i want something smaller. will it be possible to get possibly a 8'0 board? Would it be a little harder to learn on them?

May I ask why you don't like the 9"0s? I can understand because they're MASSIVE and bulky and hard to carry around, but it's worth the extra length when you're just a beginner. 8 footers are possible, but they will be trickier to learn with. The shorter the board, the more difficult it is to surf with. 8 feet is still considered a longboard. Also, look for boards with rounded noses that are consistent in length and are very wide.

Go with a 9 foot foamboard if you really want the greatest deal for someone with your experience and size. If you get a board that's too expensive or unsuitable for your body, you'll surf and look like a kook. Take a look into Liquid Shredder, Surftech, NSP, or Airborne.

As swellchaser says, the longer the board the easier in most ways to learn to surf. At 170lb you could get away with an 8ft board, not as good as a 9ft but you dont need the extra volume, its just a very nice to have (whereas if you were, say, 200lb+, I would probably say definitely 9ft at least).

In the water, in terms of handling and paddling etc, and assuming you are getting a rounded nose longboard shape, the 8ft and the 9ft will feel pretty similar as a beginner - so why not get a 9ft, as it makes things just that bit easier.

However, you can certainly learn on an 8ft if that is what you want or that is what is available (are you looking at the costco board by any chance?) It just might take a bit longer and you might get worn out from paddling a bit earlier

@swellchaser
Yea I dont like that there so big and massive. My car is kinda small so it also makes it difficult to carry. I have found a few on craiglist at a decent price. There is an 8'0 waveform foam fun board for $100. It is brand new. Would that be a good deal?
I dont mind struggling a little more to learn how surf. If I fall I will get back on it wont stop me. I just dont want a board that will sink on me or will be way to hard to maneuver.

@ Dtc
I actually didn't know that they had boards at Costco. I have been looking on craiglist. I only want a shorter board because I dont want such a massive board. Also will the 8'0 board maneuver the same as the 9'0 board?
Also I dont think I will get tired that easily and if I do I love the work out so it wont bother me. But if you guys recommend the 9'0 board I might just go with that if it a not a big maneuvering difference between the two.

The waveform board is the costco board! I think they are $99 new in the store (I dont live in the US so not sure). From all accounts, for a cheap beginner board they are pretty good. Some people will say get a 'real board' but, personally, for the first 3 or 6 months of your training (until you are semi regularly catching unbroken waves) they seem to be a reasonable choice. Being foam they are more bouyant, so an 8ft will be ok in that aspect. You will end up buying another board if (well, when) you decide to keep surfing

When we move to 'real' boards, there is obviously a difference between 8ft and 9ft in terms of manouverability, but its not huge. The difference you will notice between 9ft and 8ft is much less than between 8ft and 7ft...

However, 9ft longboards are certainly manouverable enough, just check out people like Alex Knost on youtube. Its a different kind of turning than a shortboard, but its totally doable.

In any event, as a beginner this isnt what you should be concentrating on - in due course yes, but for the first 6 months or year (depending on how often you surf) you are a long way from doing those lovely carving turns or whatever. Surfing is harder than you expect when you see all those people on the waves flying around, but most of them started 10years ago or more and surf every day

So if you want a cheap board to start off, then by all means get the waveform. You will end up buying another board in due course, but if you are fine with spending a little bit now as a tester, rather than going for the hard surfboard straight away, then give it a go. You can't have fun without a surfboard

Its certainly much easier if your board can fit in the car