Surfing Waves

I picked up a 7' board...it was a great deal. The guy called it a hybrid. It's got a square tail and a flat bottom, about 2 3/4 thick. After reading all about how to surf and visualizing myself catching the waves, standing up, and even doing some carving, I finally tried it out in white water and couldn't get the board to float above water with me on it. I went to baby steps and caught waves, went on my knees, then finally I could stand, but with two hands still on the board. Is this board made for bigger waves? I'm 5'7, 170lbs.

what kind of quality were the waves.
Were there any other surfers out, could have just been weak waves, a 7ft board is likely to surf no less than 3ft

How wide is the board? If it's narrow, it may have been designed as a bigger wave board.

If the guy described it as a hibrid, you should be OK.

If you are just lying on the board in flat water - does it float with you on it?

7ft should be OK in smaller waves, you will have to paddle a lot harder and your rides may be shorter, but you should be OK.

Surfing is NOT an easy thing to do - If this was your first time out and you were standing, but still holding the board then you did pretty well.

I would say this was far from a 'failure' in any way. You may have got a board that is slightly beyond your level of surfing, but if you stick at it then you will get the hang of it.

Cheers

Sinista