What surfboard for a beginner?

[Pandora]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the sight and am trying to find out what beginner surfboard to get, and was hopeful everyone here could help. I've been body boarding for 2-3 yrs, and want to get into surfing. I am 6ft tall, and weigh 210lbs. I rented a surftech softtop board last weekend with the following dimensions: 8' x 21.50" x 3.13" and was in the water for 1.5 hrs, i caught about 5-8 waves, and was able to kneel on the board and crouched a bit. I did notice the board did seem a bit wobbly side to side. So I was wondering what surfboard i should look at? Below are also a few boards that i am looking at currently & considering purchasing one of. Thoughts? suggestions on boards? or other boards you'd recommend im overlooking? As well is there much of a difference between getting a board that is 22.5" wide compared to 22.25" or 3"? Sorry for all the questions, but trying to learn Thanks for everyones help and thoughts! Also, is there a preference between fiberglass (pu) and epoxy style boards?, pros, cons?

Which of these boards standout, pros, cons, shape, style, thoughts, etc..?

(1.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/82-THRUSTER-MIN ... 2ec19f28d8

http://www.surfstationstore.com/warrior ... s/dp/35566

http://3-2-1sales.com/index.php?main_pa ... ucts_id=33

http://www.surfstationstore.com/channel ... s-included)/dp/49701

http://www.nspsurfboards.com/funboard-710.html

http://www.nspsurfboards.com/longboard-82.html


Thanks!,

Dave

[dtc]

If you search around this site you will find the answers to your questions (pu vs expoxy rages across the internet!); the boards you are looking at are all pretty reasonable although you may want to go even longer given your dimensions (so 9ft or even 9ft6).

In saying the boards you are looking at are reasonable, I mean the shape and general size, because apart from the nsp I dont know anything about them and given the price some look like 'chinese pop outs' (ie bulk manufactured). As a beginner thats probably not too important so long as the quality of manufacturing is ok. The nsps are good beginner boards as they are tough and float well (and hold their resale value should you want to sell down the track), but they are epoxy and that does feel a bit different.

The greater the width then generally the more stable plus, of course, the wider means more 'foam' so that helps with bouyancy/paddling as well.

Surfboards are wobbly to kneel on, they are designed to have the weight spread evenly (laying down) or centrally (standing up), so that is a natural thing.

[Robert1319]

I noticed on using a standup paddle board that the wider boards were more stable. I wondered if this would be true for surfboards also so I got a 9Ft 4inch Bic Super Magnum which is 27.5inches wide. Very stable and plenty of floatation. Catches waves so easily. This is the board that I would recommend you try. It costs about $399.00 and is worth every penny. Very durable and has a carry handle. I love mine. A great board to learn on!

There is an even wider 9'6" board, the "Big Boy" that is 28 inches wide that I want to try. I know that I won't have any trouble with its width, because, just to see if it could be done, I have paddled out to surf on my 10 ft by 34inch wide Stand up Paddle board and caught quite a few waves with that board without any difficulty, paddling with my arms only.
Robert1319