Surfing Waves

Hello, I am a 5'8" 24 year old female. I'm a bigger girl weighing about 250. I've only been out surfing a handful of times but have been body boarding since I was a kid...I would say my experience level is barely experienced but I want to learn! My problem is I can't decide what board would be best for me. I'm looking at 2 by bic sport. One is an 8ft soft top with 98L and the other is an 8'4" board with a polyethylene outer shell but is only 72L. I've heard the 8'4" board is a good board for bigger beginners but I'm a bit confused because I've always thought more liters meant better floatation. That being said I'm not a fan of soft boards and the first lesson I took was with a board made of polyethylene (I think it was the same one I'm looking at actually). However I do find foam boards propelled me further then the hard board. just really dont want to buy a board that isnt the right choice so any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

There are two different issues here:

1. Boards with more surface area (so longer, wider etc) are more stable so easier to stand up on and give more margin for error (eg your feet can be in the wrong place or you can be slower to your feet)

2. Boards with more volume are floatier so easier to paddle (hence why the foam board propelled you further)

Both stability and paddle ability are important and, for beginners, should be maximised

So the reason an 8’4 is better for a beginner is because it’s longer and more stable. The reason the 8ft is better is because it’s higher volume (wider and esp thicker). In other words, it’s not that one or the other is ‘better’ overall, it’s that they both have (relative to the other) benefits and disadvantages

For your skill and weight, you probably should look at something around 90litres+. The 8’4 (bic magnum I assume) is, I think, a bit too small. It may be ok, but you will see bic suggest a weight under 220. But it’s not a terrible choice and there aren’t many cheapish boards that are much bigger in volume, even if you go longer.

However that doesnt mean you have to buy the foam board. The GSI modern double wide at 8’4 would be a great choice (89l). The NSP 9’6 longboard or GSI modern blackbird at 9’1 are options - although not that much more volume, they are longer and have that benefit

And, depending on where you live, you may discover a local shaper can do a board for much the same price as buying a new board off the rack.

Hope that helps

Don't get anything 8ft something, you need 9ft at bare minimum. I teach people every day and I know you won't get on with it. It is weight-dependent, a 180lb beginner would prob be fine on a 8ft4 which is why they say it's "OK for beginners".

There is nothing wrong with getting a soft top slick bottom foam board; it will most likely be a long while before your skill level is too good for a foamie. I would be quite happy just riding a good 3 fin soft top board despite having 20 years experience!

The foamies have bigger volume due to increased thickness and possibly width. A foamie is designed to be better for beginners than a slightly longer hard-board is. The hard board says "beginner" because they want money; it's an intermediate board in reality.

My recommendations:
1st prize: 9ft long 3 fin foam board; ideally an extra-wide one if you can find it. Whatever type they sell where you are but go for a high-quality one.
2nd prize:10ft second hand longboard (hard)
3rd prize: The NSP 9'6 might be doable but could still be too small
DO NOT BUY: Anything under 9 foot for foamboard or 9ft6 for hard board.
Note: Shops and marketing will try to sell you too small a board because they are cheaper so they think they can make a sale, plus there are many "too small" boards because the average surfer weighs about 140 or something and there are not many 250lb surfers.

Best of luck!

Kierstin1993 wrote: However I do find foam boards propelled me further then the hard board.

1) Is that going straight into to shore in the soup or across the face of the wave trimming ?

Kierstin1993 wrote: but have been body boarding since I was a kid.

2) When you bodyboarded, what type of maneuvers did you like doing ?

3) Sorry if you already stated, but where will you be surfing at and what kind of wave is it ?