Surfing Waves

Hey everyone! My wife and I are finally diving in and getting our first boards. We've both done some classes and really do enjoy it, but are complete beginners. I've read many threads on this board, and others, while researching the best types of boards for us to get. I know the general rule of thumb is the longer the better (or more volume). Trying to get a board that we can both handle in and out of the water is definitely a priority, so coming to you guys for some advice.

I'll list some of my questions below as well as some info on us. I'm 5'9, 155lbs, and my wife is 5'4, 120lbs. We live on South Beach where waves are quite tame (1'-3') with some times of the year that are a bit larger. We'll also travel up north with our boards to some larger waves. Our ultimate goal is to actually learn proper technique while evolving in the sport. We'd likely hit the beach once or twice a week (so it seems i should rule out foamies).

That said:

• For the surf conditions, our sizes, and our goals, what length board would you suggest? (funboard vs longboard)

• Craigslist by us has only 6' boards, is there a preferred online store for used/new boards you all recommend?

• Being our first boards, and knowing we'll likely outgrow them (hopefully not too soon) we would prefer to keep the ticket price relatively low. Are there certain makes you'd recommend?

Thanks for any guidance you can provide!

Let's start, which south beach in which country or state? Most surfing countries have at least one south beach
Both of you could start on 8ft boards about 23" wide and maybe about 2 1/2 " thick a good basic shape rounded tail and gentle rocker.
You might go a little thinner and maybe one hard and one soft so you can mix and match
You could go the Costco way and avoid all the traps of secondhand boards. Hey it is a beach surely there is a surf shop around ( trick here is not to let hot rat persuade you to go short).
Take a little time to look at what you need, maybe hire something in the range I suggest and see how it feels, and maybe ask where you had the lessons.

Good luck and enjoy a great lifestyle.

BWHAHAH I was just thinking that I should have specified which South Beach. South Beach, Miami - Florida.

Thanks so much for your insight. I just poked around the Costco site, will visit later this week, and they seem to list 3 foam boards. I read somewhere that foam boards are not ideal if we plan to "surf" as frequently as we do. Is that ill advice?

I had lessons in Brazil and California... but, maybe next time I take lessons again.

There are a couple surf shops down here, but cater primarily to tourists which is reflected in their rates. Will swing by though and see if that's the case with their boards for purchase.

Go to Costco and buy his-and-her 8' wavestorm surfboards for $100 each. They are a great value for the quality as a learner board. Once you are ready to move on (after 10-20 sessions or more) you can look for hard boards in the size range that Jaffa has mentioned. Don't go for 6' ones at this point no matter how cheap they might be!

Yep, wavestorms are a great start (although I think $150 now!). And even after you 'move on' you can use them for friends (um, not as friends, that would be weird, but for friends to use) and if you ever want to head out in shore break or shallow water and dont want to risk your board hitting the bottom, or if you want to play around in a crowded area.

8ft as saltydog says will be ideal for both of you

You can certainly 'skip' the foam board step and head onto a hard board immediately - up until the last few years thats what everyone did. Jaffa has given you the rough measurements to look for; I'm sure South Beach much have second hand boards around the place, just takes a bit of hunting down.

For the first 20-25 sessions or so (maybe 40-50hrs of surfing) it will make very little difference and a foam board might have an edge in terms of learning to fall without the board landing on your head etc (as in, if you mess that up while learning, its a lot easier to deal with a foam board on the head) and if you really stuff up and run into someone because you havent learnt to control your board. After that there will be a period where the foam board might hinder you a little bit (50-100hrs) but its not worth worrying about; after that you will want a 'proper' board. So its in introductory cost but there are benefits - you never know, maybe you wont like surfing... but you can start right now and not wait to find the right board from CL.

(keep in mind that if you surf 2x per week, probably no more than 1.5hrs per session at the start, even 50hrs is 4 months of surfing and 100hrs is 6-8 months. So a wavestorm will be perfectly fine for quite a while. Also, you cant be a proper surfer unless you have at least 5 boards )

Thanks Salty and dtc.

Visited a few local surf shops. One sells "Modern" boards. Would this one be a good entry level a 7'6? http://shop.surfindustries.com/us/surf/ ... longboard/

21.5" wide, 3" thick, and 53ltr volume.

I'd consider the 8' too, but I wouldn't mind dealing with a bit more frustration and a steeper learning curve to save $100 a piece. The local shop said 7'6 should be ok due to our weights, but will defer to you guys - the experts.

You both have me leaning slightly towards those damn wavestorms. Make great points.

Thanks so much for all of your assistance.

Go the modern..... the wave storm has a shorter learning life, you'll get by on 7'6" but you will need two extras things... more water time and I suggest a paddle fitness program, after all,it is about catching waves, but 8ft will catch sloppy or weak waves more easily.

So,it will cost more for the 8ft, don't be cheap,and buy frustration . Make your learning as user friendly as possible!

Modern are perfectly good boards. Made by GSI, a large mid range manufacturer, will be good quality and a good choice

As Jaffa said, surfing is frustrating enough. An 8ft will be marginally less frustrating, a 9ft even better (although even more expensive). That $100 will be forgotten pretty quickly. I would go for at least the 8ft for you; maybe your wife can go with the shorter board. That way you can swap around and see which works better - for example, while she is lighter and a smaller volume board works for her, she might not be as strong a paddler and find that an 8ft board suits her better. You may be the reverse. Or you might both want the 8ft...

ddanon wrote: but I wouldn't mind dealing with a bit more frustration and a steeper learning curve to save $100 a piece.

If I was just learning to ride a motorcycle and could get a really good deal on a 1300cc hyper-crotch rocket, do you think it would be safe or wise ? A 7'6" is out of your league at the moment. It will maybe be a good second board AFTER you master paddling, Timing , Standing and Catching waves ( not the wave catching you ). Listen to the forums advice, they are "trying" to save you time and money.
And if you can't carry a 9 footer by yourself , then luckily you have your wife to buddy carry two boards. One holds the noses and one holds the tail. Easy to do, me and my wife walk to the beach that way.

Again, thank you all for your input! It is much appreciated. Will go try out a few boards before making any decisions. Will check in whenever I make a final decision.

Thanks so much!