Choosing a first board

[Drewman]

Looking for some advice on buying my first board.

I am 5'7" age 39 weight 11 stone reasonable fit, my local break is Saltburn by the sea England. I have been sufing half a dozen times and looking to buy my first board, from looking at advice from various sites I have narrowed my choice down to a Take Off 7ft Big Boy.

Has anyone got this board or do you think it would be a good board to progress on.

Thanks

Drewman

[gnarly]

start with a longboard, it will be easier to learn the basics, and it will make you surf with style. stick to a longboard till you feel comfortable. surf as much as you can. gnarly

[pkbum]

If I was 39 I would go a little bit something bigger. maybe 8ft

[RJD]

7ft is 2 ft too short.

[justloafing]

If I was 39, I would be young again.

[Sykes]

Longboard all the way. I've got a 9'2" board and love it (I'm 42, 6'4", and 200 lbs).

I bought an epoxy board, because they are more bouyant (more floaty=easier to paddle and catch waves with), and because they are tougher than a glass board, for the inevitable nicks and dings from bumping into stuff.

[kamikaze272727]

From one newb to another, the learning curve on the 7.2 will be quite steep, unless you are a perfect natural.

17 years ago, I surfed in South Africa for 6 months on a 6.6 short. I was only standing up in 3 months and only rode about 5% of the waves I paddled for. Let me leave out what happens when I actually DID catch a wave.

3 months ago, I went back to surf, with a 17 year gap. Rental, BIC 8.6 and then 7.9. I was up in the first session on the shoulders by the third. Now I have my own board. And its STILL larger than your proposed first board.

Bearing in mind that I'm very light.

Unless you feel the force is with you completely. You should rent a larger board for a few sessions, and then go smaller. Over time, you wont need to ask what board to get... you will know.