Surfing Waves

I am a hefty 290 lbs, 5' 10" and I really want to surf. I've taken a few lessons on some long boards years back before my wife said rentals cost too much, so I'm thinking if I have my own board I would get to use it more. I am guessing a longboard, but don't have any ideas on sizes I should be looking at. Suggestions?

I am up in New England, so waves are usually 2 - 3 foot beach breaks. I am not looking to get fancy, just to have some fun.

Thanks,
Dacs

In surfing measures where bodyweight factors heavily into board choice, you're heavy. 200lbs is heavy for a surfer, so an extra 90 is up there; in short as a beginner and at your weight you need a longboard, and a big sized one at that.

Personally, I would start a diet with the goal of learning to surf as one of the motivators....on dry land you can start slowly and build up the routines as you improve your fitness and drop weight. Surfing it's really more or less all in; you aren't going to get good returns without a minimum competency level of fitness and the less you weigh the better your board will float you.

Why not rent a board for a day, the biggest one you can find and then go out for a paddle to see what it's all about? Even better, take an intro lesson from one of the shops and have them set you up with what they recommend.

I also should mention that one of the facets of my job is putting people on diets, so don't take it personally....professional interest on my part and I love being part of the process when the pounds melt away and hearing the stories of how lives have changed.

As Big H says, surfing equipment is generally designed for lighter people. However, do not despair - there are boards for you. I think a longboard is a given, at least 9ft and preferable 9ft6. Wide and - most importantly - thick. Thickness has the biggest 'bang for the buck' flotation. Basically board flotation is related to 'volume', so you will need a (relatively) very high volume board. Particularly as the waves you are surfing wont be all that powerful.

To be honest, boards like this dont generally pop up in the second hand columns too often so you may need to search around or be prepared to buy new (expensive). Two boards that spring to mind as being suitable are

- 9ft6 Walden mega magic (9'6'' x 24 1/2'x 4'' = 112 ltr!) or probably even the 9ft version (98l)

- Bic Super magnum (9'4" x 27.5" x 3.75 = 118 litres). Yes, 27.5 wide (for those more experienced people reading). This is a huge board, really, but despite its extreme width (few surfboards are over 23 inches), I've heard from people that paddling isnt really an issue. Its a very stable board because of its width; you wont be doing 180 topside snaps with it, but thats a few years off anyway

The Bic, new, will be much cheaper than the Walden

(by the way, just in case you arent aware, when talking dimensions, they are listed as height x width x thickness, all in inches)

Thats not far away from some smaller SUP dims....those do show up used.

At that weight, I assume you will struggle with Power, Flexibilit, Mobility and overall endurance.Once you stood a few times on a board you will want to continue and that will provide a big motivation to get fit. I thought was reasonably fit when I started surfing last year, but it was more in terms of what a normal desk warrior perceives as fitness (3x10km running and 2 x1km swimming per week). While i could run a marathon, upper body strength and overall flexibility was not very good and I started to work on that after my first surf session. Despite not being able to surf as much as I would like and still being a crappy beginner, the daily exercise helps me feel better, too.

But losing weight takes time, so buying a thick and wide board probably makes sense. For that purpose I like the 9.4 BIC - very durable, cheap and easy to sell once you get better and lighter.

where in New England are you?

If close to NH you should check out the surf store by the wall in North Hampton, Cinnamon Rainbows, they have a good reputation and should be able to recommend a good used board.

Big H wrote:Thats not far away from some smaller SUP dims....those do show up used.

I was going to suggest an SUP as a surfboard, but the OP is only 5'10" so they might not be comfortable prone paddling a SUP which are generally wider than longboards.

Thanks all. I have dropped 28 pounds and surfing is a huge motivator. I body surf/boogie board a lot, but really want to step up. Endurance is good, I am a cyclist and swimmer, and have always been a big guy, "lean" for me is about 225 or so (that was my Army weight as a paratrooper). A long board is what I want to ride anyway, but now I know what to look for, and to stay away from.

I will check Cinnamon Rainbow. I am up at Hampton a lot during the summers. I rode a few years ago up at Summer Sessions and they were good too.

Oldie wrote:
But losing weight takes time, so buying a thick and wide board probably makes sense. For that purpose I like the 9.4 BIC - very durable, cheap and easy to sell once you get better and lighter.

This is the first post I've seen where a Bic was recommended. There's an 8'2" Peter Pan tri-fin model (looks like an 8'4 Magnum to me) for sale for $250 near me, but I'm guessing that is too small from what I've read. I don't want to throw money away, so is the Bic worth the money? Is this too small a board? I can only find the 8'4" specs online;
Data specs:
Length -8'4" / 254 cm
Width -23.25" / 59 cm
Thickness-3.20" / 8.2 cm
Weight -17 lbs / 7.8 Kg
Fin set-up -2+1 (1 US box 20cm + 2 FCS GL)
Shaper -Peter Pan

Its 72L based on the internet, so I think its probably going to be a bit small. Its not unsurfable but you wont find it as easy as a bigger board. Paddling is what you do 60% of the time when you are surfing (sitting around is about 35% and actually surfing is about 5%!) and from your comments I think a good amount of paddling assistance (ie a more buoyant board - higher volume) would be worthwhile. I would still look for the 9ft4 version (or the Walden or similar).

Actually, thinking about it, the surfing part is probably 1%

dacsus65 wrote:
This is the first post I've seen where a Bic was recommended. There's an 8'2" Peter Pan tri-fin model (looks like an 8'4 Magnum to me) for sale for $250 near me, but I'm guessing that is too small from what I've read. I don't want to throw money away, so is the Bic worth the money? Is this too small a board?

I still use my plastic 7'9" Bic minimal a lot, because I live in an apartment and wouldn't want to get a nice longboard just to ding it.
It's OK for learning, and, being plastic, it's sturdy. Also, was cheap bought new. A step up from a foam board, but, if you are not constrained like I am I would suggest looking for a quality used longboard which will allow you to progress.
This is why I recommended CR.
PM me next time you're in Hampton, maybe we'll surf together.

I found what looks like a 10' Cruiser, but the seller says 10'6. Asking $300. What do you think? I've posted top and bottom pics, I don't see any cracks.

pmcaero wrote:
This is why I recommended CR.
PM me next time you're in Hampton, maybe we'll surf together.

Definitely!

dacsus65 wrote:I found what looks like a 10' Cruiser, but the seller says 10'6. Asking $300. What do you think? I've posted top and bottom pics, I don't see any cracks.

It would be more helpful to know the width and thickness of the board as well as a picture that gave some indication of the rocker of the board (side profile). Nevertheless, in my inexperienced opinion that board looks like it would get you past the popup in white water starting phase. I think you should look for something similar, but in the $100-150 dollar range. You can also offer him $130 and see what happens. If money is no object, then buy it and start working on your surfing fundamentals. Take it as a given, that if you continue surfing you will eventually want a different board that will open up more surfing possibilities. Good luck.

Looks like a pretty old board, a few chips etc. Probably a good size for you though. I agree with Rinky, the price seems pretty high

I'm guessing those holes in the deck down the bottom are vent holes, but you need to check if they still have the plug (some are screw in - so you will see a thread in the hole; others have a self venting one which should be there (the screw in plugs are easily replaced). Anyway, you need to check what those holes are and whether you need plugs etc

A very steep price for a very old BIC, the holes in the deck at the tail are fin screw holes, the fins screwed on through the deck , the fins were quite flexy losing drive in bending under the waves force.
No other fins are available considering a new BIC. Longboard is about $ 900 do you think it is worth it. I don't !
I would be physically checking it. Looking for bubbles in the plastic glass / coating and whether it is heavier than you think it might be. IMO $150 only.
Welcome to the astounding world of surfing and surfing bargaining!

Fin holes - never thought of that. Weird

Dang. Glad I asked before dropping money on this. I think I will wait and rent while I keep my eye open.

Thanks again.