Surfing Waves

Hi, I’m new to surfing, bought a board before knowing much, and am now wondering if anyone with experience can advise if I’m on the right track with my first board. I’m just about 6’, 50 yrs old, 175lbs, instead of paying $20 per day to rent a board on vacation I bought one, took 6 lessons in the past 3 weeks progressing from a longboard > soft top > 8’ …..paddling stamina seems to be my weakness. I gas out after 1/2 hour but am progressing quickly until that point with and handful of unbroken waves under my belt. All my skateboarding and snowboarding experience have to wait for my arms and lungs to catch up it seems.

The board I bought is 7’ x 22” x 2.75”… the litres aren’t marked but I was told 60lt. 3 fins. Apparently carbon fibre on the sides. I haven’t ridden it yet, opting to do the lessons on larger beginners boards. Of course, the instructor, who sold me the board, said the one I bought is a good first board, extremely versatile, one that I’ll keep forever, and grow into nicely. After reading and learning more about all the good reasons to start with a bigger beginner board… I’m wondering if anyone has an opinion from the limited information I’ve given if I’ve bitten off too much buying a first board too advanced.

Cheers
Ps. The waves I’ll be on most often are small/med west coast americas …north (tofino) and mostly south (ecuador).

well you haven't tried it yet. Just speculating but the smaller you go the more paddle fitness is required. If you want to use that board you will have to improve you paddle fitness. So that is an option. Do you have some reason to doubt the instructor? I am not sure there is an advanced board but there are surfboards that are made for advanced surfers. That doesn't mean someone who isn't advanced can't use it but they just won't use it as well as an advanced surfer. In addition those boards are often not durable because advanced surfers are used to getting new boards all the time. They are willing to give up durability for high performance. A non advanced surfer will only notice the lack of durability and not the high performance. If you aren't surfing enough to improve your paddle fitness , you can try exercises to improve strength and endurance of those muscles.

You should try it out. It will matter how often you can get out and surf it.