Surfing Waves

Hi all, still shopping around for a starter board. Found a 8'6" hand shaped board that has caught my eye - 21.5" wide and 2 7/8" thick. It has, however, a squash tail which I have not come across yet. FWIW I am 6'2" and 176 lbs.

Am I better off with a squash tail or am I better off with what I've usually come across on mini mals, which is what I think is a round tail?

I'd say tail shape is fairly irrelevant for a beginner. You won't notice any difference between tail shapes until you've progressed a fair way. Squash tail will be fine.