Surfing Waves

I am 13 years old, and I weigh about 90 lbs, I've surfed about 10 times on a soft top, and I can catch the biggest (open face) set waves at the spot I surf (3-4 feet), stand up, control my speed, and stay in the pocket by changing the angle of my board or by kneeling, grabbing the rail and dragging my hand along the wave. I have a hard tri-fin funboard that I used once and could ride the end of open face waves after people had pulled out. after that I decided to use the soft top because I was afraid I would hurt myself or others with the hard board. I was wondering if i should start using my hard board instead of my soft board. Would it be too dangerous to use the hard board?

attached is a picture of me surfing

Yes, use your hardboard. Make sure the edges (both front and back) of your fins are not sharp (sand them down so you can run your finger up and down quickly without pain) and learn how to fall (eg away from the board and try to stay between the wave and the board), learn surf etiquette and where to paddle (so you don't get in the way). Surface after falling with your arms up and/or your hands around your head (just in case there is a board coming towards you - including your own). Until you can control the board eg turn if you need to, try to surf away from other people whenever possible, and be extra careful (for example, turn toward the beach rather than risk hitting someone - you miss the wave but there is always another wave)

You might still collect a board to the head or bruise yourself of something; that's part of the risk - just like you could get a ball to the head in baseball or whatever.

If you feel too unconfident and worried then it will affect your surfing; go back to the soft board. But you will find that the thought/fear of injury is greater than the risk of injury, plus long term you will have to end up on a hardboard

Go for it - whenever you start a new activity there is a sense of 'fear' or uncertainty. As you build confidence it goes away, more or less; but until you do the activity then the fear of the unknown will always be there

zwsurf,
Be not afraid, young grom. The time has come. Jettison the soft top from your kook days. The time has come for you to join the world surfing tribe. Therefore, young steward, you must surf with and only with thy hard board. Behold, before you lay an endless supply of surfing waves provided by our Mother Earth. Do not disappoint her or yourself. Use only thine hard board from henceforth. You are a brave surfing tribesman united with brothers on every continent and island forever more.
Uncle billie

Learning to surf safely is part of the sport. If the pic is showing what you can do right now, you can pick up enough skills like turning to avert collisions very soon. It's good be cautious. But instead of letting fear hold you back, figure out a way to navigate though risks. Visualize what you'd do in case of close calls beforehand, and yell sincere "sorry!" if needed. You should be ok. My soon to be 13 yrs old is on a hard board, learning to surf. Yeah, it's sometimes a bit scary to watch him with a hard board while swimmers and body boarders are nearby but he is doing ok. It's good see a cautious and considerate young man in a world full of the reckless and the selfish. Now go surf!

Thanks for the replies!

I went out today on my hard board, and I definitely noticed that it was a little less buoyant, but it was worth it because it was more maneuverable and I also made a late(ish) drop and bottom turn on the biggest set wave of the day. I was kind of nervous at first with the crowds, but I didn't sit on the inside at all and just caught the sets, so I managed to not hurt anyone.

I know this isn't advice, but I have been looking into soft top boards and I was wondering what kind of board this is. If you could reply with a link that would be extremely helpful. Also, how much did you purchase it for? Thank you so much!

I know this isn't advice, but I have been looking into soft top boards and I was wondering what kind of board this is. If you could reply with a link that would be extremely helpful. Also, how much did you purchase it for? Thank you so much!

Eastcoast, if I was to guess that's a wavestorm soft top. From what I've heard you can even buy them from costco.

http://www.wavestormboards.com/shop-pro ... ongboards/