Board selection

[Hawkeye26]

Good morning everyone, I’m wanting to get into surfing more often I try a couple of times a year when I’m in Cornwall but I’m hoping to get more serious and determined to surf more, I have some lessons Planned at west wittering whenever things get back to normal and I’m looking to buy a board, if I could check with you all before I spend a small fortune I’m 6’1 I have a bit of weight at the moment which I’m working on I’m roughly at 115 kg, 40yrs old and can’t get up quick enough yet on smaller boards so I’m looking at a 10ft long board I have been doing research on board sizes and I did see that the recommendation is about 23” wide and for my build around 10ft, there are a lot of soft boards for beginners And I have used one before but I’d like to invest in a more traditional longboard that will see me into the future if I look at getting a 23” wide a lot of the boards I can find are around 9’6” long would they be long enough or should I go 10’ or maybe even 11’? Thanks

[waikikikichan]

I think 10 x 23 should be enough, but depending on your paddling technique/stamina. 11 footers are good mainly for instruction, hard to own and transport.

[Lebowski]

You are a heavy guy, so 10 foot would work, but be aware that they are a serious tanker at that size. In my experience, the difference between 9ft and 10ft feels like a lot. Yes it catches waves easier, but feels like trying to manouvre an aircraft carrier once you're riding. Plus, as said above, a pain to own. Personally I'd see if you can try a 9'6 first. If you can catch waves it will be a lot more manageable generally.