Surfing Waves

I have just begun surfing and I decided I want my first board for Christmas. I learned on my Dad's Peter Pan Slug which I beleive he said it was 8'6. I liked the board but have nothing else to compare it to. Is there that a good board to start on? I also heard that Mals and Mini- Mals are good to start on too. Any help is appreciated. I live in Rhode Island right near Narragansett beach. BTW I need a board that I won't out grow anytime soon. I just turned 13 last week and am supposed to grow A LOT over the next few years.

Thanks

hey im from rhode isloand too, pretty close to you, id say jus look at some fun boards like 7 1/2-8 1/2ft. i dont really surf on longboards too much so i cant think of any god brands though

im from mass and have been down to rhode island like two times and a bunch of other times driving through all 0 miles of it but i'd say go to your local shaper and ask the guys there. this is the best thing to do, and cant go wrong, you can explain everything you want in the board and they'll set you up nice, as long as your honest about your abilities and stuff. If you dont have enough cash for that, then start checking the web or asking kids you know that surf. and the local shapers can usually use the money and plus its a good way to meet some new people and people that you'll proabbly see out there one day. just my opinion.

What you need is a mini mal... something from around 7'2 to about 7'8. Make sure it's nice and wide (At least 20"). Since you're 13 you're gonna outgrow any board you get and you'll probably want to move onto something smaller in a couple of years, so it might be an idea to look at getting a 'pop-out' - these are boards that are shaped en-masse in a factory rather than individiually by a shaper, which makes them a lot cheaper than custom boards. They're also harder to damage and usually more buoyant, so great for learners. Check out http://www.bicsportsurfboards.com/ and http://www.newsurfproject.com/

ya go down into newport, right near the beach there are two surf shops, elemental and island sports, check out elemental first becaus e they can help you out the most

i'm from rhode island too. great place to surf!

ya DanJS14 i remember you, your from westerly right