Surfing Waves

Whom I started surfing with a year ago. Which under my advise, bought a 8" fun board as he didn't want a longboard. But is claiming that the board is too big and this is why he can't get out to the line up when the wave gets to 3-4 feet. We surf on average once a month. He is determined to get a shortboard so he will be able to get out to the lineup, catch "green" waves, do better turns. As he can't really do any of them on his current board.....

I kept telling him it isn't the board, it is him but he wouldn't heed my advice. He is a good friend and I really don't want him to make the same mistakes that I've done.

I'm sure we all have friends like that, so what would you guys say?

You provided your best counsel. Now it's up to him. Applicable saying: "You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink."

Agree with Billie, it's up to your friend now. Perhaps you can talk him into renting a short board first and trying it out before making a purchase.Other than that, if he doesn't want to listen to sound advice, he needs to make the mistake on his own and learn from that.

Second on the rental....maybe buy used so he can experience what he is "missing"....you could show him how to get out back with a big board after he's discovered that shortboards are not magic....and before he gets disillusioned.

My friends tend to use longboards or SUPs more now even if they can use shortboards because they are all old and getting repetitive use problems and some quit surfing because they hate longboard and SUPs.