Beginner Question (Soft vs Longboard)

[Worris]

Hi,

I've been surfing a couple of times in the UK and managed to stand up for around 4 seconds at best

I'm going again this weekend and will be hiring a board as usual, but what board should I ask for... long or soft?

I'm 35, 5' 10" and 89kg but fairly fit.

Thanks!

[jaffa1949]

Simple a soft longboard! Not short and soft. Have few sessions on long soft then if you are really hooked try a long hard rather than a short hard ( in this case meaning more difficult) .
Just go and have fun.

[Worris]

Thanks!

So I should just ask for a 'soft longboard'? What size.. I've read 9'2" - 9'6" and 9'8''-10'?

[jaffa1949]

9'2" will be pretty good, why not go to a school for a couple of lessons they will help early on and then hire for a couple of sessions by yourself.

The school should put you on a board that will be easy to catch waves on and so you will have some success with riding on white water . Use that sort again for your solo sessions
read about surf etiquette in the forum here keep yourself and the other people around you safe by knowing your surf manners ( BTW surf schools often forget the etiquette part).
Soft boards are often called foamies too.

OH and a please from us here, talk to us before you have any ideas of buying your first surfboard, there will be lots of help for you!

[drowningbitbybit]

So I should just ask for a 'soft longboard'? What size.. I've read 9'2" - 9'6" and 9'8''-10'?

The hired softboards in the UK normally top out at 9', so get one of those

Have fun!

[beachbumuk]

I bloody love a fun session on a foamy.

Where in the UK are you learning?
I don't know about the others here, but on a small day with a bunch of frineds, the foamy will always have a place for a laugh in my quiver

[Worris]

Ha! We're headed to Saunton I think.

[beachbumuk]

Awesome, Yeah hire yourself a 9'2" ish and My suggestion would be to head right down the beach. it breaks all the way to crow point, so hire it, make sure you tell them you're walking down the beach so it doesn't eat into your hire time (cos you're being considerate to the actual surfers) and crack on

Otherwise take a lesson! they DO help

Parking there is like £7-8 for the day (crazy) but if you get down there for a dawny, you can park for free and they will open hire around 8am

[Worris]

Good tips!

How come you can park for free if you're there earlier?

Thanks

[beachbumuk]

Due to the fact there is no one on the gate house, down for a dawny at 6:30/7 out by 9 so empty beaches...just the locals and the dog walkers!