now that i can stand what size board?

[ocmd]

I took several lesson on a 10' foam board and then have been using a friends 9' board, mostly in the white water and am doing pretty well standing on her board but it is heavy & about 23" wide. Iam ready to buy my own and not sure if i should stick with what I am doing well with, or will i quickly outgrow it? Should I go for an 8' now and have a little longer learning curve. I am 5'5" and weigh 125/130lbs.
Is a 9' board a long board and later i may want even smaller then an 8' so best to have a 9 & a 7?
thanks!!

[jaffa1949]

ocmd, welcome, if you feel you are ready to buy a board then for your size 8ft would be fine, I do however suggest you read up through this and other threads about boards and learning before you put your cash down.
You won't quickly outgrow a board that suits you the only one you would outgrow quickly is a foamie......... after a few years you can always sell your boards as you upgrade.

An 8ft or 9ft board can be considered long , but there are many other factors that make a surfboard than length ( that's why I suggested read up), but at this stage just learning the basic basics will occupy you thoroughly.

So in short or was that long a good 8ft board would be suitable for you.
Other factors where are you surfing? male or female , how old etc also play a part?

Have fun

[IB_Surfer]

You don't weigh mutch, think about renting or borrowing smaller and smaller until you can tell where you are in ability, you might be suprised on what you can handle.

[ocmd]

thanks for the tips, i actually got a surf shop to let me try an 8' board, hope to go out Sunday. As for the other info, I am female & 42 and so far I have been surfing Assategue Island along the coast of Ocean City MD.