Help! Need advice on buying a second surfboard!

[Devon_Girl42]

I'm 13 and 5'8", about 9 stone. I live about 10 minutes away from a few beaches so can get there quite easily. I have been surfing since July(so a few months) and love it. I go about once a week? My brother used to surf so I had his old 8ft minimal to learn on but want to progress and get my own board. I can stand up and can surf small green waves. I'm also a swimmer(train 5 times a week+) so can paddle out easily. I tried my friends 6'2" and stood up a few times. I will probably get a second hand board and I was looking at 6'8". Maybe a bit bigger/smaller? I'm not too sure what would be best. I also want a board which I can duck dive on as the waves can get quite big around here-15ft sometimes? Ive been out when it was 6-9ft and got wiped out quite a bit but caught a few waves(I can turtle roll but i just get pushed back alot and my board is too big to duckdive on)
Any help would be great
Thanks

[dtc]

You are going to have to decide between a board that is easier to surf/learn on (larger the better), a board that is easier to duck dive (smaller the better), the level of performance you want and also take into account that you are still growing so a board that is a bit too big now might actually become a good size within a year or two. Being a good swimmer helps a lot, as you dont have to worry about the paddling ability of the board too much.

I think something around 6ft6 to 6ft8 is a good size, but suggest you get more of an 'egg' shape than a high performance shortboard shape (basically an egg shape is more rounded and a bit thicker and a flatter rocker, where as the HPSB is narrow and thin and bigger rocker)(rocker is the bend in the board). This might be a struggle for a while as you learn to deal with the quite significant difference between it and the minimal but you are young and should get there and you have plenty of time to learn. So long as you dont mind flailing around (sort of) for a bit, then go for it. If you just want to head down and keep surfing without struggling, then go for a bigger board.

Obviously if there is a surf shop around that allows you to hire boards, or try out boards, give them a go. Borrowing from friends is also great. Try as many boards as you can and then decide.