Buying a first surfboard (length and volume problem)

[dwyanology]

Hey guys,

I am a beginner surfer and have surfed for just three months. I rent a longboard everytime I go surfing but I wanted to get my own board by now.

But the thing is I just don’t fancy buying a longboard, but I know I won’t be able to catch waves with a shortboard. So, I thought I’d get a mid-length.

My question is, if I get a shorter board with similar volume, would it make a big difference as to the counts of catching waves? Because obviously I want to catch a lot of waves and practice my riding and learn some tricks.

The board I always rent is 9’, 23”, 3” and just under 60L. Currently, I’m looking at Firewire Addvance that is 7’, 22 3/4”, 3 1/16” with 59.7 L
(I am 5’7” and 140lbs, 23yo with a fit build)

So the volume would be about the same but I wonder how missing those two feet would play out for me).

Help me out guys!

[jaffa1949]

Im curious as to why you don’t fancy a longboard. BTW that’s cool. Something in the 7ft range ain’t bad just a little harder, more sessions needed and more dedication, good move not going shorter, your wave count would fall out the bottom. But are you really ready to go down yet?
Don’t get hung up on volume though, shape bottom contours rocker and rail shapes are vital.
You also need to consider where you are surfing are you out of the whitewater stage yet?
Can you surf backhand and forehand yet?
If you are then the FireWire is an option, a suggestion, if you are renting see if a FireWire or similar is available to rent.
Therein lies the answer!

[Big H]

I think you'll do better in terms of progression and learning to actually surf and get closer to doing tricks if you stay on a 9' board for at least a year to 18 months. The advance is not appropriate IMO for your level....that is a board designed for someone who can surf already and is a little older & fatter than they used to be and need a little help in the paddle department. I tried "progressing" to smaller boards than my longboard when I first started.....I was able to catch waves, stand up and go down the line, but it wasn't until I went back to using a longboard regularly that I started to learn how to surf; meaning, what is next after you can catch a wave, get up and ride down the line? Learned timing, positioning, how to read the break and get out back, how to stay with the power of the wave and not outrun it......much easier to progress on a bigger board then apply those lessons to a shorter board. Much easier and much faster in terms of getting to where you want to be.

[Big H]

BTW I highly doubt that your 9'x23"x3" longboard is just under 60L. I have a foiled performance longboard that is 9'2" x 22 X 2 3/4" and that board is 67L. More likely I would guess is that your rental board is 70L+. Keep that in mind when comparing volumes.......not that it matters too much since 67L on a longboard will ride and paddle much differently than 60L on a 7' board. Length of the board, design and shaping have as much or more impact as does liter volume.

[oldmansurfer]

You are a small guy and a mid length would be like a longboard to you. I surf a 8' x 23" x 3.75" board and I absolutely love it. I ride it like a longboard on waves waist high or below and line a shortboard on everything else. (I am 6'2" and 210 pounds)

[waikikikichan]

Why do you think Firewire named that board the Addvance versus naming the board Beeginer ? The board is not for someone with only a few months under their belt. I wish they never came up with volume calculators. It's good for shapers and top level riders to tune their ride, but for beginners it's just leads them astray.
For a beginner, I would stay around 3 feet over your head until you get your paddle technique down. Then when you can bottom turn and TRIM, then move to 2 feet over your head to start to learn turn downs and turn ups.
7 is too small for you right now. I understand some people might have limiting factors like car size, airplane size and apartment size. But if you got the space, go bigger.

[dtc]

Agree with all the above. If you want a shorter board than a 9ft board (but you should really look for a 9ft board) then something like the torq mini longboard (8ft) or the mod fun (7'6) are good. Or any other board that looks like that

note: the 7ft6 is only if there are space reasons etc to go shorter. Otherwise go for the 8ft+ board

As BigH said, the Aadvance is more for older surfers who used to be fitter...

[RinkyDink]

My favorite board (7'10" X 22 3/4 X 3) is similar to this board https://shop.firewiresurfboards.com/pro ... over-vacay. Of course, you could order that board in a length suited to your taste. I don't know the kinds of waves you surf, but I don't think you'd have trouble getting into waves on that board. Nevertheless, I still recommend a longboard as a first board because it allows you to surf more waves. I like riding all types of boards and dimensions so a longboard has a place in my quiver, but I realize that a lot surfers like to specialize in one board type. To each their own. Have fun.

[mg100]

Hey dwyanology, I have been surfing around 3 years now and will just tell you my progression, whether its right to wrong is another subject though.
like everyone suggested a Longboard is fun and it gets you up and catching waves, like you I wanted to ride smaller boards though, I had a long board for 6 months untill I could catch unbroken waves and go down the line (and still have it in my garage as it was a nice board) then went to a 7ft hybrid thing for about a month, there was a quality issue with this board so I took it back to the shop and got a 6ft Fish at 35lt so this was a big jump and everyone will say you shouldn't do, it took a bit of getting used to but I loved this board and its completely doable, it depends how many days a week you go surfing I guess.
Like you I wanted to do some cool tricks and turns, but 3 years on and I am still trying, no matter what board you have you are going to be years off the trick stage.
If you can catch unbroken waves easily with a longboard then go for the 7ft, or if not get a second hand longboard for a few more months then change it for a smaller weapon.

[Oldie]

The Addvance is not a good beginner board, with it's narrow nose and round outline. More surface is better for glide and stability. I would also suggest not to go shorter than 8ft.

[saltydog]

The consensus among the experienced is that Advance isn't for the beginners, yet there seems to be a few newbies here and there that claim it works amazing.... and that got me thinking. A higher volume, compact board is harder for lighter weight people to control because the subtle shift in the weight won't affect the board movement as much as heavier riders even if the board is shorter and more responsive. Although many beginners aren't that aware of all the details so anything that floats them is a good board to them, I suppose.

For a beginner, having more surface area, even with the same volume, would help so much more in paddling and riding. Also, going from 9' to 8' wasn't a huge difference to me, but 8' to 7' had a big learning curve even if the boards had the same shape and design features. If you have access to a variety of used boards, you get to try different boards without breaking the bank.