Surfing Waves

Hello all.....noob to the board but I always do ALOT of research before i dig into something.

been bodyboarding for about 6 years now but Im about to go at it surfing and am looking for a first board...funboard type.

From what Ive gathered I should grab one 7'6" or above, but Ive also read alot about how your local shapers can give you the best advice sooooooo....

Went to the best local shaper which kept pointing me to 6'4" - 6'8" funboards....i think maybe one 7 footer. He kept telling me how its not the length but the thickness that matters and that i should worry more about being able to float and manuever on my first board.

What say you? should i just listen to the local guy and go for the 6'8"er?

"He kept telling me how its not the length but the thickness that matters and that i should worry more about being able to float and manuever on my first board."

He is correct. Beginners need lots of floatation. For most new surfers, the best way to get lots of flotation is to get a 9ft long board. A sage old surfer once said to me, "A long board has lots of floatation and stability. A beginner can't get enough floatation." So, there you have it. If you look around you can have it both ways: shorter and thicker.

The original short board revolution went short and thick at first as the styles adjusted from longboard surfing and evolved into what is surfing today.
There are really good shapes with lots of volume that are very surfable.
The average and learning surfer can develop their surfing and progress through that path.
Any poor learner or just beyond learner will be frustrated beyond all belief if they go to the potato crisp thin boards.

Congratulations on standing up for yourself, it will be a little different but your body boarding experience in catching waves will help a little

yes you should listen to the shaper. this goes for any time you want to buy a new board. They have knowledge and experience of building the right boards for people and the local conditions. as you progress with your surfing you will be able to discuss options as youll know what you want more. but for now do as he says. youll get frustrated on a shortboard.

ptgold wrote:Hello all.....noob to the board but I always do ALOT of research before i dig into something.

been bodyboarding for about 6 years now but Im about to go at it surfing and am looking for a first board...funboard type.

From what Ive gathered I should grab one 7'6" or above, but Ive also read alot about how your local shapers can give you the best advice sooooooo....

Went to the best local shaper which kept pointing me to 6'4" - 6'8" funboards....i think maybe one 7 footer. He kept telling me how its not the length but the thickness that matters and that i should worry more about being able to float and manuever on my first board.

What say you? should i just listen to the local guy and go for the 6'8"er?

Yes, yes and yes. Definately listen to and support your local shaper, if he's good stick with him, you never know you may eventually get deals off him too.

KS

thanks guys.....luckily the guy was able to find me a used 7'2" board.....says i should be just fine on that one.....theres going to be a swell this weekend....hopefully not TOO big so I can use the board.

Ill probably take my bodyboard just in case the waves are out of my league for surfing.

Cheers!