Surfboard buying tipps

[m8ymike]

Hi everybody
I'm Mike I'm form middle Europe and study in San Diego till january. I'm now surfing for about 1 month (practice every day). I want to buy a surfboard but I don't have enough experience. I'm constantly looking on craigslist and local surfshops for a used board but unfortunately i hadn't much success yet.
I'm 6'1feet tall and weight about 170 lbs.

Would that board be good for me? http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/spo/2626392776.html

I don't have enough money to buy a new board from a professional shaper. What do you think about brands like bic, degree33, island blabla.... for beginners?

Thanks for the help

[surf patrol]

Hi m8ymike, welcome to Surfing Waves.

The craigslist board is much too small for a beginners board. You want to get something much longer. If you afford a new board there are still plenty of options second hand.
There are lots of opinions posted about degree33 and bic boards for beginners.
The right size board from either of these manufacturers can be suitable for a beginner, but there are better options.

[billie_morini]

I buy pretty much everything used: automobiles, motorcycles, wetsuits and surfboards. So, no argument from me about saving some money. This doesn't mean I haven't splurged a few times in life to get something new. But, just wanted to let you know it is OK to buy used. You'll be surprised if you look diligently. You'll find well known sharpers' boards at good used prices. I've got a Freeline shaped by Santa Cruz' Don Mel. My co-worker has a Monarch shaped by Santa Barbara's Tyler Anderson. We got them used through Craigslist ads.

As far as BIC, island blah blah, for beginners: can be OK. At your height and weight, you might really enjoy a 9 foot longboard.

[mikey4013]

HI there, its always a hard one when choosing a surfboard especially if your a beginner,i would always recommend going for something a foot longer than your height if your a beginner and always check to seee if the board will suit your weight.this site has a great piece on choosing a surfboard

[surf patrol]

Hi mikey4013, the link was not really helpful was it. At 20 posts you get a signature, so stick around until then and you get a link to baysports.co.uk with every post.
Cheers