starting board

[duhkine]

Ok, I hope this topic will not create controversy. I've noticed a ton of people always asking what board they should start off with while starting out. A lot of them consider shortboards and are sensitive to which exact length in inches they should ride. My opinion is that anyone looking to start surfing should try on the biggest board they can get. The larger the board, the better the balance and paddling ability. You cannot expect to pull off radical moves on your first time surfing. Most people can hardly stand up on their first try. Those of you who are anxious to try surfing for the first time should seriously consider trying a longer board first. It doesn't matter how long, as long as possible. 13 ft is never too long. You will learn to surf more quickly in my opinion and you will learn the fundamentals of surfing that way. If you ask many surfers, they will tell you that they have started off on longer boards. I have never seen any beginner ever stand on a shortboard before. This is all my personal opinion, but I hope this helps answer that one question that I keep seeing in all the posts. I'd like to hear what other people think as well.

Aloha!

[Totterz]

BLUDY ELL 13FT!! how tey gna get through the waves let alone carry it

[deathfrog]

you rent a spot at the harbor.

[duhkine]

13 ft is not that long, I've heard of 17. Anyway, your gonna be in the water not carrying the thing most of the time. I carry my longboard on my head and I can hold it all day there, its really not that hard. Plus, you don't expect the beginners to go in big waves. I would assume that they are catching small 1 ft whitewater, not anything over 3 ft.

Aloha!

[gulfsurfer]

Yea the bigger the better!!!!!!!!
i started out on a 10'2 and now surf a 10'2 and a 12'. Ive sold all my shortboards except 1.