First Board Help

[corn]

Hi
Recently I learnt to surf in france and spent two weeks surfing there so i want a board now. I was wondering if you guys and ladies could help from experiences of first board. I know about a few brands like bic, nsp and some others but i was wondering if there is any other good ones? I also know i want a mini mal or funboard. I will give you some details that you mind find of help when recommending boards.

Im 6ft and 16 years of age and I weigh 10 stone 10.
I have been surfing 2 weeks in france and got to a level where i was beginning to consitently standing up.
I live in chelmsford so there is no local surf around where i am. So i surf on holidays I normally go on 4 holidays a year to places like st ives cornwall and anywhere on the atlantic side of france for 1 or 2 weeks. I am going to go on monthly long weekends trips to devon aswell with a new board.
The price range I would like to spend is around 200 or 300.
I also forgot it is hard for me to go in a surf shop and ask because there is none round so any advice is helpful.

Any recommendations or help will be appreciated thanks

[Rogue_Shadow]

I would serriously rent a board if your only going to be surfing while on Holiday
I aspect you were surfing on a foamie or softboard, you still have to try out some other boards.
If you were surfing on those boards, you'll be in for a shock when you relaise how under forgiving a mini-mal can be

Rent one before you go any further, I strongly Strongly recommend renting a board before taking this further

[phillwilson]

listen to the Rogue....

He is just a few rungs further up the ladder but from his posts sounds to be progressing well, a lot of this is through taking the time to make wise choices.

we all want to get our own board straight away but trust me you need to try more things out..rent on your next trip and explain your situation, most places will let you come in and out and grab a few different boards over a few hours of renting.

i woud try AT LEAST

a 7.3
a 7.6
and a couple of differant 8 footers (say a bic AND a Cortez or similar) to feel how the same size can feel different from different makes.

also I would urge you to try a longboard as well at least once ..I didn't and I wish I had cos I'm a logger through and through now but had ruled it out cos of my preconceptions...you would be amazed how quick you can progress on such a big stable platform...but I do admit they are a little harder to find from a rental shop.

good luck