Surfing Waves

Hey there everyone, im hoping to get into surfing, right now Im a active rock climber which is easy to be when you spend all day selling equipment and then at night go to a rock gym where you get free membership
But im moving to daytona beach for school in a month or two where there arent many rocks but I guess I can get the same adrenaline rush just as well from the ocean waves.
But just curious are there any experienced (or even unexperienced) surfers in the daytona beach area? Im not buying my first board yet as I might as well get it when im down there but everyone is shouting to get a mini mal board, is that same suggestion true for these waters? And about what price tag am I looking for? Thanks for any info as well

Lol 40+ people are ok viewing this but none have an opinion to post. Anyone posting gets super extra deluxe brownie points and a great swell in their area.

oooh, ok then, I'll bite...

hmm, to be honest, there's not a lot I can help you with, but as far as I can tell, a mini-mal is pretty much universally an ideal first board... Good luck on getting the adrenaline rush, it works for me! Hopefully, someone who knows a bit more about your area will be able to help out. Oh, and there's a ton of info on this site and the forums on how to choose your first board, have a look round

I never surfed Daytona Beach but stayed there 1 night about 2 years ago. Warmest ocean water I ever felt (in July). Beach was really pretty, sand squeaks under your feet when you walk on it.

You've pretty much got it...Longboard or mini-mal type will do you well in FL.
Look for a 2nd hand board to save some cash. Prices can vary quite a bit from $500 to $1000+ (for something new).

One thing to remember it is the Atlantic Ocean. Pretty small during the summer which can be great to learn how to surf. As far as a board. Yep either a long board or a mini mal. I would take a lesson first as you will get to try out a long board and see how that fits you. If you really want to get a board maybe try a long board first I would buy a second hand board to start with. The reason I say a second had board is...............if you take care of it and decide you wont use that type of board you will probably get most of your money back. Find a decent board from $500.00 to 750.00. Ask the surf shops what you want. If it is a good surf shop they will set you up with what you need. If in question if it is a good board come back here and ask. I am sure someone will know about it.

What I did when I went to buy my board for the first time. I bought a nice board that was not really a beginners board but a board that I would always use. I did not go for a high performance board but a board right in the middle. It is making it a little harder to learn on but I am up and riding it and I will always keep it.

Just my 2 cents.

Now send me my waves,

Rocky, BEWARE!

I have been climbing and instructing climbing for 9 years, I started surfing last year and though I still love climbing, now I'd far rather be in the water than on the rock!

It's addictive!

(just a shame I don't get to the surf that often! )

Yeah I love climbing too, of course when you spend all day selling climbing equipment and then all night climbing you sort of have to, but Im moving to daytona beah for college next year so I plan to be there for 5 years and eventually move down there full time after the first two so I dont think I will get much time to climb, which sucks because my harness and shoes are practically brand new.

Where do you work/climb?

I work at blue ridge mountain sports on broad street and climb at peak experience. Are you familiar with either one?

dude i live in tybee and sometimes we go down to daytona, we all ride shortboards, "we all ride under 6' 6" " and none of us are 6 feet tall and in daytona its like the waves can either come in at nice sets that are shoulder height or they come in at like 2 feet and choppy as anything barely enough to stand up but on those days you can hop waves so its still good fun, but i mean, if you wanna do a relax cruise ride get a mini mal or somehtin but if you wanna hit some sharp turns, air the lip or spray some water get a shortboard, its harder to learn on but boy its worth it

Sorry Rocky, I aint been around for a week or so. I sent you a PM.


Gotta be cool around the New Smyrna area. I heard more people are shark bit in that area, then anywhere in the world.

Go with a longboard.