Surfing Waves

Hi, I know this question gets boring, but buying the first board is an important step and I need all the advice I can get so I can make the best choice possible!

Firstly my stats, I'm mid twenties, female, 5'4" tall and weigh around 125 lbs.
I have been surfing for 2 months now (about twice a week on average) taking classes. In the class I use a 7'2" softboard and can stand up well on broken waves. I have also tried my friend's 7' fibreglass funboard and was able to stand up on that too.

I will probably get at least another month's surfing under my belt before I actually buy my first board too, and am definitley looking for a second hand fibreglass, I'm just not sure on the best size.

When I buy the board I hope to increase my water time to three or four times a week, and I will still take classes every so often as I am keen to improve and progress. So am looking for something that will suit me now but will enable me to progress nicely too withouth the need to upgrade and resell too soon.

(And before anyone points it out - I have already asked at the school, and the answers have been slightly varied, so I figured I will get as much advice and tips as possible and then make an informed decision!)

So shoot away, tell me what you think . . . .

All suggestions greatly appreciated!

hey
i would hire a few different types of board to get a feel for a few
my friend who has just started surfing is about the same height and weight as you and he rides a 6'8 NSP
its not expensive and a really good beginner board.
dont go for anything shorter than that just yet

hope this has helped

Dan

lore wrote:Hi, I know this question gets boring...

Well, yeah, but its alright when someone comes on and asks it with a little bit of homework done and realistic expectations

So you've done your initial training and can stand on a 7ft board on whitewater... good stuff, and now the rest is all about progression.

At your size, I'd be looking at a funboard around the 7ft mark, just like the one you've already ridden possibly.
Something like 7' x 21" x 2 3/4" will have plenty of float for you, but have enough performance to progress with. I wouldnt go much shorter otherwise you'll get into the frustration zone.

One more question - where are you surfing?
Somewhere with fat slow waves will need a bigger board than somewhere with real power.

I live in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria which has lots of surfing spots for all levels, however I will be sticking to the beach breaks at La Cicer for quite some time I should think!!

I found a chart based on weight that would put me in the 6'8" to 7'2" funboard category which also fits other advice I found to go 16 - 20 inches above your height, and the above comments too seem to be pointing that way. How much difference is there within that category? And what are the advantages/disadvantages of a rounded versus pointed tip? (The 7' I used was pointed). Which would be easier to paddle out?

Further info:
In the first post I gave the facts I figured would help answer my question, now I want to share my thoughts/concerns on the sizes (think out loud if you will) and see what you think . . .

Firstly, I definitely understand that a bigger board is easier to learn on, and really noticed the difference as my friend (whose surfboard I borrowed) is taller and heavier than me started learning on the 7' almost 5 months ago and can still barely stand up, whereas after two months at the school progressing from 8' to 7'2" I didn't find it too difficult to stand up on his 7' fibreglass. He is still enjoying though which is the main thing, but if I had done that I definitely would have headed into the frustation zone! For this reason I think maybe a 6'8" is a little too small for now.

On the other side of the coin, I was super-relieved at the school to upgrade from the 8' to the 7'2" as being quite small, I found the former very difficult to handle in the water and get out into the waves so I definitely don't want to go too big either! Thus a 7'2" maximum.

Also, how long should I expect my first board to last me? Of course it varies but based on the info I've given, how long would be a reasonable time to expect before needing to upgrade? Do you think it would be better to buy a board that's a bit easier to start with now and then upgrade a bit sooner when I'm ready, or buy a slightly smaller one now so that it lasts/suits me a little bit longer?

Also, when I told my surfing instructor I was able to ride the 7' board he said I should try a smaller board in my next class, if I do start using a 7' say in my classes, would that be an indication that buying a 7'2" might be too big?

Ok, I seem to have wrapped quite a few questions into that but any thoughts/advice/comments once again greatly appreciated . . . .

Thank you

lore wrote: he said I should try a smaller board in my next class

The goal of surfing is not to ride the shortest board, its to ride the most waves and have the most fun
A smaller board will be much more manouvreable, eventually, but wont help you at all at the moment.

As for rounded vs pointy - the rounded front end will have a lot more volume, and therefore more float and will be easier to catch waves etc, however it will be slower to turn etc. The funboard is a good middle ground here (pointier than a mini-mal, rounder than a shortboard).

As for the upgrade - it'll be a while before you need to 'upgrade'. And anyway, its better to keep boards and buy more rather than swap them - to give you an example, my first real board was a 7'4 funboard and I really really wish I'd kept it
It was great for small days, was dead easy to paddle, and performed in everything except headhigh barrels... shouldnt have let that one go...
So my advice now would be to get a good funboard, rather than a cheap pop-out, and then it'll last forever.

Thanks for that! . I've been reading so many sites on what size board to get, I'd almost forgotten the whole reason I asked the question in the first place! Can't see the wood for the trees and all that!! tut tut! Even second hand, buying a board is quite an investment and I didn't want to get it wrong, but really I just need a board that works for me so I can ride waves and have fun, so I think as you said, a 7' similar to what I tried would be just fine!