Surfing Waves

Hello everyone, i'm trying to learn how to surf, but I have limited money. I got my hands on a craigslist used board for $60. It's a 7'2" board but I don't know what category it falls in. I just wanted to see how hard it will be to learn on this board. Here is the picture attached. Ooh I'm 5' 6" 168 lbs, above average fitness level, I'd like to surf small to medium sized waves, I live in the Monterey, ca area.Thanks

Sadly you have bought a board that is not suitable to learn on.
It is a newbie mistake so don't feel bad, a really good idea is to read through the forum advice and know that many newbies or girlfriends of newbies have bought a board because of price rather than suitability!
Now why, you will find it extremely difficult to catch waves, the board is made for bigger stuff and requires a skilled rider!
I would suggest something around 9ft 22" wide by 2 and 3/4 " thick, a malibu. You will catch waves you will able to stand up more easily and begin to develop skills.
If your purchase was not such an old board I would suggest you put in in the garage and save it until you have the skills to use it.
Want proof of what I'm suggesting, rent or try a longboard and then go out on your purchase and note the difference.
Read through the surfboard advice and replies for understanding.

I had a feeling it wasn't a good board to learn, I just thought it was kind of big (7'2") therefore somewhat ok to start.

For learning like I suggested 9ft that's bigger still .
9FT 22" wide by 2 and 3/4 inches thick.
Not in any way suitable other than it floats!

Have you tried it in the white water (catching white water/broken waves) - it might be ok for you to get started here (its where we all started so dont worry about that). If you can manage to stand up on this board in the white water, then when you go to a bigger board it will be 'easy'

You probably should just get a wavestorm and surf that for a while, until you are regularly catching waves and can bottom turn (at least); every now and then you can come back to this board and see how you go. One day you will be able to surf it

Or get a proper longboard as Jaffa suggested - even better than a wavestorm, but more expensive to buy

One of the best surfer in the world, Dane Reynolds, like Roberts boards.

Still, that board is too short and the nose too narrow. Should've looked on Craigslist for a used 8' Wavestorm. Ones I see listed are around $60. By the way, what kind of fins did it come with ? Can you post a photo of the bottom ?

Thanks everyone for the input, I think i'll get another board and save this one for later. it only came with one middle fin. I looked this other longboard on CL, a little out of my price range but I don't want to get frustrated too soon. this new board is modern blackfish 9.1 f.

ed090280 wrote:Thanks everyone for the input, I think i'll get another board and save this one for later. it only came with one middle fin. I looked this other longboard on CL, a little out of my price range but I don't want to get frustrated too soon. this new board is modern blackfish 9.1 f.

I meant blackbird for $400 is this a good deal?

ed090280 wrote:it only came with one middle fin.

So finding just 2 sides fins will be about $20-30 dollars ( check out the miss-matched fin extras discount box at the local surf shop ). So now that $60 board is closer to $80-90.

ed090280 wrote:I meant blackbird for $400 is this a good deal?

No dings, water tight, okay price. About half of new. Including travel case and leash is even better.