Surfing Waves

I got good at SUP - does that prepare me any for surfing?

I am a big guy, 6' 2", 190lbs and it took me a good while to master the pop up on SUP. Now I have it down and I can pop-up in the chop, etc. and when I am on SUP I will try to mess around and knock myself off and my balance is still good. My SUP is an iRocker cruiser.

So how much did that activity put me in a good place to try surfing, and not on an SUP? Doesn't it stand to reason that I will be able to pop up on a board now, or not really? SUP is no longer the challenge I need. I will be starting with East Coast SC/FL waves, and will try pacific later.

Any tips for how I should start, given my SUP background? For example, does that mean I am better of trying a long board?

Thanks in advance for any advice

If you are riding waves on your SUP that will help. Otherwise it is good for strengthening your core but not that good at the muscles you need for paddling. Sup popup isn't going to help with surfboard popup. Most beginners are better off trying a longboard yourself included.

As said if you are SUPping around waves etc then that will help, also help with general water knowledge etc. if you are doing flat water then it will be of some assistance, maybe in the sense of how hitting a hockey puck helps golf. As in, not hugely but there is some cross over sort of

I’m 6’3 /185lb and suggest a 9ft longboard or an 8ft wavestorm (seriously, the wavestorm is an excellent and cheap beginner board.)

Thanks so much guys. I can't wait to get out there and see, and definitely will focus on a longboard or 8ft wavestorm start!

Is your iRocker Cruiser Cruiser the inflatable one at 10'6" ? If so, the 10'6" x 33" x 6" is a bus compared to a regular passenger car. Standing up ( in a parallel stance, feet on each side of the stringer I would suppose ) on a Thirty-Three inches wide and six inches thick, will NOT translate over to a 8 or 9 or even a 10 foot longboard.
Do try to learn on a longboard or 8' Wavestorm but don't get your hopes up that your ability to stand up on a SUP of that size will make it any easier. Just go in with a fresh mind.