Advice on my first surfboard.

[Deafninja]

Ok, I'm a newbie. I learnt to surf in 9 days. Starting on a foamie and on the last 2 days was managing fine on a mini-mal. I'm definitely still a begginner but will soon be surfin on a regular basis. Do u think i should go for somethin fairly easy to manage (eg. mini-mal) and have to replace the board after a while? Or, dive straight in at the deep end and go 4 a more advanced board based on the assumption that i will learn quick. And, if so wot kinda board shud i go 4 which is good in all sizes of surf and various types of break.

[gulfsurfer]

9 ft longboard!

[Deafninja]

Really, a longboard, i heard ther a bitch to get out on in heavy surf. Also i dont think il be able to fit 1 in my dorm at university.

[gulfsurfer]

Dude, this is your first board, i doubt youll be going out in any heavy surf. And if a 9 ft board wont fit in your dorm, how will a bed and tv fit?

[sinistapenguin]

Hi

Don't mistake 'Mini-Mal' for 'Beginner Board'.

I would recommend you go for a custom mini-mal - 7-8Ft. This will be stable enough for you to learn and progress, but you will probably never need to get rid of this board - it'll be there for the smaller days or the days when you feel like being a bit more mellow.

I went down the 'thruster' route for 11 years and it was only when I got my mini-mal 2 years ago that my surfing took off! I can do far more on my board now than I ever could on my shortboard.

Who's to say you can't get a shortboard as well later and maybe a longboard too, then you'll have a quiver to suit all your moods!!

Cheers

Sinista

[Deafninja]

Ok. I'm convinced, I'll probably get a mini-mal. How do I decide what size to get? Do I want it shorter because I'm not very tall (5"8').

[Totterz]

Yeh i think mini mall is ok, thats wot i started on!! lol any thing 7-8 shud be ok

[Guest]

What difference does the length make?

[dondiemand]

newbie here, i believe the longer the board, the more stable it is on water..how about a funboard? or pop out? i read that these are great for beginners to intermediate levels

[TrickerJay]

id say get a minimal measuring from 7' to 8' make sure its plenty wide and thick aswell, as thats what gives you the buoyancy, i JUST got my first board, its a spider safari minimal, its a 7'6, but its 22" wide by 2 3/4" thick which is great for me as altho im only 5'8 im about 180 lbs

[Bbaysurfer]

I think that it depends on your preferance. If you want to have more manuverablity on a wave learn to ride a shortboard, if you want to be able to catch waves with ease get a longboard. I started with a shortboard and ya it was difficult and it took me a while to learn but now im very comfertable on any board I ride.

[Deafninja]

Thanks for the advice every1.