Surfing Waves

Long story short, my friend surfs and I want to get into surfing. My dad was a surfer who grew up in Melbourne and often went swimming/surfing at Bells Beach and he wants me to get into it as well. My friend has a fish board and my dad wants me to get a fish board/shorter board but I've heard that it's hard to learn if you don't start off with a long board. Should I get a longboard to start off on? Or should I get a fish board and try to learn on that? I could probably get a fish board and rent/borrow a longboard but I don't know what to do.

Also the waves aren't anything too big, just 3-5 feet

What weight/height are you?

Definitely easier to learn on a bigger board, so ignore your dad

Rent or borrow a large board and have a couple of lessons, and then see how you go. Chances are you'll have more fun if you go for the larger board.

Go longer, it's a pity your Dad is a was a surfer, hope there is nothing wrong with him. Would be great if you both surfed ! I'm 66 and my 44 year old son surfs, so did my grandson

99.99% of the time I would agree with most others that you start on a long(er) board. But in this particular instance., listen to your dad. As they say " father knows best". He knows you more than any of us. Follow his lead for awhile. If you can't get it, then get a long(er) board.

Rent a few, nick your friends board for a session or two then get whichever makes you smile the most

drowningbitbybit wrote:What weight/height are you?

Definitely easier to learn on a bigger board, so ignore your dad

Rent or borrow a large board and have a couple of lessons, and then see how you go. Chances are you'll have more fun if you go for the larger board.

5'10 170

waikikikichan wrote:99.99% of the time I would agree with most others that you start on a long(er) board. But in this particular instance., listen to your dad. As they say " father knows best". He knows you more than any of us. Follow his lead for awhile. If you can't get it, then get a long(er) board.

Can't tell if it's sarcasm or not. He taught me how to body-surf a while back but I imagine it's a lot different to actual surfing

I don't think it was sarcasm. If your dad wants you to try a shortboard go for it, if it doesn't work you can always go for a longerboard (without saying "no" to your father straight away).
He might help you pointing whatever you are doing wrong, and it can become a little easier than figuring stuff yourself.

endless - no sarcasm at all. Like I said, normally I wouldn't recommend a short/fish board to learn. But your father who has brought you up in this world, is the one you should listen to. He's looking out for you, trust him. Plus now that you been bodysurfing, you're not a true beginner. Bodysurfing really puts you in tune with the breaking wave. Timing and positioning are critical and will be good to use when transferring to board surfing.