Longboard vs Shortboard? Pros & Cons?

[IMinCA]

Hello from Cali... Newbie surfer here, not quite a virgin anymore I'm trying to get an idea of what's the difference between longboards & shortboards, besides the obvious size . What are the pros and cons of each board? What would be best of a newbie? What are considered the shortboards? 8ft? 7ft?

Just trying to get input from season surfers

[jaffa1949]

Hello from Cali... Newbie surfer here, not quite a virgin anymore I'm trying to get an idea of what's the difference between longboards & shortboards, besides the obvious size . What are the pros and cons of each board? What would be best of a newbie? What are considered the shortboards? 8ft? 7ft?

Just trying to get input from season surfers

OK on the non surfing side, not quite a virgin (that's personal stuff, and I'm not sure how you could manage it)
Now for the real question Both 7 or 8 foot could be called a long board depending on the shape 9foot and above definitely long.
You height and weight would have some bearing on what you choose and whether it's considered short or long.
The pros of long= more stable , easier to learn on, easier to paddle (sort of the Volkswagen of surfing) more forgiving at just about anything in surfing. Shorter learning curve.
Cons, less able to turn radically in the hands of a beginner, the rider needs to more capable to handle steeper waves and be able generate speed.

Short board, less stable more volatile in movement, able to turn more radically, fits better into steep faced waves, sports car to formula one performance in the hands of pros.
Cons; much harder to paddle less stable in turns for beginner.

Now your homework is to read through all the similar posts and decide for yourself, this question has been asked by just about every newbie whether they are virgins or not and there is a wealth of information for you.

[IMinCA]

Hello from Cali... Newbie surfer here, not quite a virgin anymore I'm trying to get an idea of what's the difference between longboards & shortboards, besides the obvious size . What are the pros and cons of each board? What would be best of a newbie? What are considered the shortboards? 8ft? 7ft?

Just trying to get input from season surfers

OK on the non surfing side, not quite a virgin (that's personal stuff, and I'm not sure how you could manage it)
Now for the real question Both 7 or 8 foot could be called a long board depending on the shape 9foot and above definitely long.
You height and weight would have some bearing on what you choose and whether it's considered short or long.
The pros of long= more stable , easier to learn on, easier to paddle (sort of the Volkswagen of surfing) more forgiving at just about anything in surfing. Shorter learning curve.
Cons, less able to turn radically in the hands of a beginner, the rider needs to more capable to handle steeper waves and be able generate speed.

Short board, less stable more volatile in movement, able to turn more radically, fits better into steep faced waves, sports car to formula one performance in the hands of pros.
Cons; much harder to paddle less stable in turns for beginner.

Now your homework is to read through all the similar posts and decide for yourself, this question has been asked by just about every newbie whether they are virgins or not and there is a wealth of information for you.

Thanks Jaffa! Ha I guess you can't really be somewhat a virgin...okay maybe a not so experienced surfer

I will review the other threads...there were so many of them, I am fairly short about 5'3 -5 '4 or so...I tried a 9 ft and it was a pain in the arce lugging that thing around.

[Rickyroughneck]

I would start with a midlength, perhaps an 7'6" to 8' board. Surf it for a 6 months to a year and then decide what style of surfing you want to specialise in (it would be perfectly fine to stay riding mid-lengths too, but not many people do).

Do not assume that longboards have trouble turning though, I personally find my longboard easier to turn as it feels more reliable. You only have to watch the pros snap their performance longboard off the lip, or whip it around in roundhouse cutbacks to realise that you aren't really limited by the extra length.