new surfer, how to tell which level im at? (boards)

[mantaray]

Hey guys, I had a weeks surf school in lanzarote recently, and my surf instructor (very experienced and talented guy) suggested a 6'8 fish when I asked him about boards. He said not to get an epoxy board because they are dangerous to yourself and other surfers, suggested I go for a foam(interior)/ fiberglass board but to be prepared for repairing it a lot.

After some searching online I haven't managed to find any non-epoxy boards. He first told me to get a fish and I was like ''really? wouldn't I be better off with a 7'2-7'5 mini-mal for a year til I get better?'' and he said I could do that too, but that I might get frustrated when I improve.

My surfing ability: I surfed for 4 days, (20 hours) learned to stand up properly on first day then over the next few days learned to go across waves on ones that break from one side to the other, and learned to paddle out and sit on my board to wait for a wave I want to drop into - and dropped into a few around 3ft at my best. I can stand up on them every time now but haven't got any experience with waves bigger than 3ft (which is probably fine consider my limited experience?)

I am going surf in cornwall next week, so will attempt to try out some different boards.

Would muchly appreciate advice from you guys.

btw i am 5ft11 and 11 stone

thx again!

[mantaray]

forgot to mention I learned on a 7''8 foamie

[Deepwaterdesigns]

After some searching online I haven't managed to find any non-epoxy boards. He first told me to get a fish and I was like ''really? wouldn't I be better off with a 7'2-7'5 mini-mal for a year til I get better?'' and he said I could do that too, but that I might get frustrated when I improve.

I think you are quite right there mate, go with your instict, i think you will improve much faster on a mini-mal than on a fish straight away. Fish are generally not begginner boards and i think you will have much more fun on the mini-mal at first and improve far quicker on that than on a fish. once you are up and riding green waves consistantly, riding along the face of the wave and able to do some basic S-turns, then consider a smaller board.

on the epoxy front....not sure why your instructor said to stay clear of them, they take alot more punishment than a fiberglass board and therefore are more ideal for a begginer, plus if you or others get hit by any board, epoxy or fiberglass it would be just as damaging, just with the epoxy you wont have so much damage to your board.

Hawaiian soul make some good fiberglass mini-mals for a good price (and i have a 7'6" for sale if your interested! ) try and avoid NSP and BIC boards, they can be quite heavy and slow and might slow down your progress in the long run, but a nice light mini-mal will definately do the trick.

I think you have the right idea, check out some boards down in Cornwall, see what you like, then decide. incidentally, where in cornwall are you headed?

hope the advice helps, happy surfing.

[mantaray]

I think you have the right idea, check out some boards down in Cornwall, see what you like, then decide. incidentally, where in cornwall are you headed?

hope the advice helps, happy surfing.

thanks for the advice, i'll be going to watergate bay - not sure how busy it is there this time of year though.

[Deepwaterdesigns]

Pretty much anywhere you go in and around newquay is going to be busy no matter what time of year you go, though the advantage is theres so many surf shops down there with so many different boards available to try out that you will definately find something that suits.

[mantaray]

Pretty much anywhere you go in and around newquay is going to be busy no matter what time of year you go, though the advantage is theres so many surf shops down there with so many different boards available to try out that you will definately find something that suits.

ok cool thanks for the reply