First board: Longboard or Funboard

[dtc]

The board looks good, comes with fins and is cheap. And will fit in your car. Any problems in surfing it will be user problem!

Remember to get a good leash and a board bag. For the leash get a 8 or 9ft one that is 7mm diameter (1/4 inch) (which is a 'regular' leash; you can also get a 'big wave' if you want extra security-it's just thicker - just don't get a competition leash, which is thinner). Any of the big surf companies make quality leashes. The general suggestion is to get a leash the length of the board, but as a beginner you may want some extra distance between you and the board when you fall off and so go for 9ft. Either is fine

and you need a bag otherwise it's wax all over the car seats. Any bag will do if you are keeping the board in the car; for a roof rack look for something with 10mm (3/8 inch) padding. If you are running out of money and can't afford a bag, cover the wax side with some towels before putting in the car, or get a board sock. Try not to put a board on the roof without a bag

Oh, wetsuits...

[Majikow]

Thanks for the recommendations. Definitely getting a 9 ft leash and a bag. I know myself too well and I want to protect the board so I don't ding it up too much in transport.

I picked up a wetsuit already at the Rip Curl outlet in San Clemente, so as soon as I get the board and learn how to wax it, I should be good to go.

[Majikow]

So got to take the board out for the first time today. Had a blast and I'm sure the limitations right now are definitely my skill set and not the board. Felt really good paddling and on the handful of waves that I got up on. So far so good. Thanks for all the advice and recommendations!

[jaffa1949]

[dtc]

What Jaffa said!

[RinkyDink]

One reason I am starting with a longboard in my return to surfing is to work on developing my carving turns. I think that is one of the advantages of developing on a longboard. See the following video, especially around 5:39, to get an idea of what I mean.

[Big H]

Interesting....I saw this video awhile ago but that bit of advice did not register....to wake up your turning technique, fade takeoff a on a longboard.....would make sense I guess....pretty much no way to fake a turn that way

[jaffa1949]

One of the great thrills is seeing a good arc of of long board carve around in a strong turn.
Here are two shots ( back hand and forehand) at the same wave of a top turn to cut back.

[benjl]

Nice photos Jaffa! Shredding up a storm.

Was that from your recent Bali trip? Waves look amazing

[jaffa1949]

No it is older stuff the natural footer 1st picture is similar aged mate the 2nd picture, the goofy footer is me.
The spot Burgerworld in the Playgrounds area of Siberut Mentawais, of the coast of Sumatra.
About 3o odd different spots depending on swell and wind directions.

The point I make is carving top turn come from the tail as do any carving turns.
Looking for bottom turns now to illustrate the point

[waikikikichan]

Down, Up and Around. Rail to rail transition. Eyes looking to the next action. Mid face turn banking off the shoulders berm. Look at the trail carve lines the board leaves. Speed, Power and Flow. Nice surfing Jaffa.

[jaffa1949]

Next post carving bottom turns to build drive and speed to make fast sections.
Without a good bottom turn in your skills you are well behind in surfing.
Longboards require back foot pressure over the fins engaging the rail and driving the board around the pivot of the tail , single fins the fin is very much a pivot point and the rails are the leverage fulcrum. Multi fins engage the outer fins in the same way as a fulcrum, the surfer provides the effort.
Leaning turns have no effort and little result in comparison.
Two bottoms turns to set up the wall run at T Land in Rote.

Notice in each the back foot is putting down pressure towards the inside fin and rail, the front foot driving the board around the eyes and hands are leading to where the surfer wishes to be on the oncoming wall and next move and beyond.

[jaffa1949]

here are two shots of one of our local guys showing the difference between a lean ( some call them trim turns, I don't ) and a carving turn. Note the control and speed and balance of the surfer in each shot.
Lean turn first

Note where hands eyes and body is facing and take it one step further to the result.

[thanhcongtc]

Longboard!

There are a lot of funny things, good feeling when you ride a longboard

if you don't have a good one.

Good luck!

Jaffa comment; it's about surfing not advertising a skateboard site!

[Big H]

Longboard!

There are a lot of funny things, good feeling when you ride a longboard

if you don't have a good one.

Good luck!

Jaffa comment; it's about surfing not advertising a skateboard site!

Thanh....if it has wheels on it we call it a skateboard....putting links to your registered homepage can be called advertising....at the least it is shameless self promotion.

[surfingsince]

Great choice on getting a 9 foot to start surfing with. There are plenty of board bags out there to protect your goods and to help keep your wax from melting off. Dakine, Creatures, and my personal favorite Prolite. All board bags these days are some of the best out there, but I have found Prolite bags to be the most durable bags on the market today. check them out, the smuggler is an interesting bag for traveling, but they do have surfboard bags for all shapes and sizes.