First longboard - what length

[pgoli]

Hi guys. I'm about to pick up my first longboard. Which size should I get? I'm 172lbs and 5.75 tall. I'm looking at either a 9'1 x 22 7/8 x 2 7/8 or a 9'2 x 23 x x 3. Thanks.

[surf patrol]

Hi pgoli, welcome to Surfing Waves!

By your first longboard, can I assume that you are a beginner? Either way, both boards are a good choice.
The 9'2, with its slightly increased width and increased volume will be the better of the two for a first board.

Have you picked out specific boards already?

[pgoli]

Hi Surf Patrol,

Thanks for the warm welcome mate. I'm looking at second hand McTavish fireball. Hopefully that would be good enough to venture into the graceful art of longboarding!!!! I'm still relatively a beginner as I haven't been surfing that long (less than a year). I used to rent a minimal but when I tried out a friend's longboard, I knew that was the direction I wanted to take...

[jaffa1949]

pgoli, hi, I would happily recommend the Fireball and second hand is good just have a good look at its overall condition if that's OK then it will take you a long way in your learning before you need to upgrade

[surf patrol]

As jaffa says, it's a good board and all you'll need for a good while.

[Rickyroughneck]

Hi guys. I'm about to pick up my first longboard. Which size should I get? I'm 172lbs and 5.75 tall. I'm looking at either a 9'1 x 22 7/8 x 2 7/8 or a 9'2 x 23 x x 3. Thanks.

The dimensions of those boards are so close together, and as it is your first longboard you wont really notice the difference. Pick whichever is the cheapest/ best quality.

[tonylamont]

I will say this: while any 9-10' longboard should be fairly beginner friendly, if you are looking at common longboard models, you might want look them up on the web and see if there are comments about their ride characteristics.

I have two longboards: a 9'2" Surftech Takayama DT-2 and a 9'4" Jay Novak custom that I bought used. The DT-2 is thinner and has less rocker and nose volume than the Novak. While it is a nice board, the DT-2 has a greater tendency to pearl and has been tougher for me to learn to ride. The Novak is way more forgiving and fun to ride, at least at my current (low) level of skill.

I'm sure part of the pearling is my kookiness but the dimensions definitely make a noticeable difference. I think there two are probably fairly extreme examples, but it is worth checking into. I am pretty ignorant on board design issues, but I think some of the more progressive longboard shapes tend to be less beginner-friendly.

[RonG]

I have two longboards: a 9'2" Surftech Takayama DT-2 and a 9'4" Jay Novak custom that I bought used. The DT-2 is thinner and has less rocker and nose volume than the Novak. While it is a nice board, the DT-2 has a greater tendency to pearl and has been tougher for me to learn to ride. The Novak is way more forgiving and fun to ride, at least at my current (low) level of skill.

Roughly the same experience here. I own only a 9' longboard, and from all accounts it has a bit less nose rocker than some. Pearling while paddling into waves was big issue for me in my first couple of months, which I thought was 100% a product of my kookiness, until I borrowed a board with just a tiny bit more rocker. Twice as many waves caught, no swan dives off the front of the board. So maybe it was 90% kookiness, 10% the board

I've come largely to terms with my board, and pearling while I'm paddling into a wave is mostly gone. But I can't help but think I might have had a lower percentage of frustrating days if I had started on a slightly more forgiving shape.

[tonylamont]

I have two longboards: a 9'2" Surftech Takayama DT-2 and a 9'4" Jay Novak custom that I bought used. The DT-2 is thinner and has less rocker and nose volume than the Novak. While it is a nice board, the DT-2 has a greater tendency to pearl and has been tougher for me to learn to ride. The Novak is way more forgiving and fun to ride, at least at my current (low) level of skill.

Roughly the same experience here. I own only a 9' longboard, and from all accounts it has a bit less nose rocker than some. Pearling while paddling into waves was big issue for me in my first couple of months, which I thought was 100% a product of my kookiness, until I borrowed a board with just a tiny bit more rocker. Twice as many waves caught, no swan dives off the front of the board. So maybe it was 90% kookiness, 10% the board

I've come largely to terms with my board, and pearling while I'm paddling into a wave is mostly gone. But I can't help but think I might have had a lower percentage of frustrating days if I had started on a slightly more forgiving shape.

Definitely agree - some longboards are more kook-friendly than others! From reading about the DT-2, it sounds like the lessened rocker translates into more speed and can be a real plus once you know what you are doing. I'm just not there yet!

[pgoli]

Hi guys. Just wanted to say thanks again for all the great advice. Just got myself a used but new looking board - 9.1 x 23 x 2 7/8. It's a beast compared to what i've been surfing on (minimal) but she's a beauty. Can't wait to get out this weekend!!!

[surf patrol]

Excellent, let us know how you get on.