Need some help plz

[gt35STI]

I am pretty new to the surfing scene. I was fortunate enough to surf hawaii for my first time. I instantly fell in love and picked it up pretty quickly. When i was there i was using soft top longboards (thing was big as a boat). I have a house on the jersey shore and am interested into getting myself a board. Everyone I ask down here says "get a funboard". Is that what I want to get? What size would also fit me the best? I am 6'1 175lbs. Any insight on superior types of boards, brands, etc that would suit me best being a beginner here in the NJ shore is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!!

[behindThePeak]

welcome to the most addictive pastime ever

This is a wide open question. You'll get a lot of general advice that you could just find with the search button if you want. It'll help to narrow it down like this:

- what are your goals? do you idolize the easy mellow cruzer or the agro type A ripper?
- how often are you going to be surfing?
- what's your budget?

without knowing that. i'll take a shot in the dark and say a funboard is ok for tourists and part timers, but they aren't scaleable and eventually will either become obsolete or a crutch (depending on your personality). Opinons will varry, but my favorite formula is: buy a big single fin longboard and master it, then buy a retro fish and master it, then a thruster. all three of those are shapes that you can enjoy no mater what your skill level so they're each worth the money and time you'll spend on them.

lots of brands out there, most are good. your local surf shop will know the best brands and shapes for NJ. if you've got the money, find a local shaper and build a relationship.

[gt35STI]

- what are your goals? do you idolize the easy mellow cruzer or the agro type A ripper?
- how often are you going to be surfing?
- what's your budget?

thanks alot for the insight! I would like to someday work my way down to a short board if I get good enough. I live at the beach all summer long and can go surfing pretty much whenever. I dont have a real budget in mind, i would just like to have a solid board that will help me learn.

[behindThePeak]

In that case I'd start with a fiberglass longboard. 9 to 10 feet. It will give you a really good base of skills to build on when you go shorter later.

good luck. Have fun.