BEGINNER SURFER! NEED HELP!

[Eunj]

So just recently I've picked up surfing and almost immediately I've fallen in love. Although barely able to stand on a board, I'm looking to invest into my own board now. (I've been borrowing a friends) Since I'm just a beginner, I'd like to buy a second hand board. I found a few on craigslist, but I'm still afraid of being scammed and buying a complete dud. Any advice on how to pick a board? I'm also going to leave a few links to the boards that I'm interested in and hopefully from the photos below you guys could help determine whether or not they're okay to buy? And by okay to buy I don't mean whether or not that board is right for me, but instead whether or not that board is in good condition, about to break, or has sketchy looking repairs. Thanks!

Along with that... I still don't fully understand what exactly the differences in a surfboard mean. Epoxy vs PU? Shortboard vs Longboard? What do fins do? I live in LA, so I was wondering if a Spring suit that's 2MM should be okay?

Surfboard Links:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/sp ... 75720.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/sp ... 46454.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/sp ... 01128.html

[oldmansurfer]

What is your height, weight, age, and how much time do you intend to spend surfing per day/week/month/year ?

[drowningbitbybit]

...immediately I've fallen in love.... barely able to stand on a board..

I still don't fully understand what exactly the differences in a surfboard mean. Epoxy vs PU? Shortboard vs Longboard? What do fins do?

We all understand, we've all been there, but seriously – don't jump in and buy your own board yet. You're not even at the beginner stage yet.
Take a few lessons, rent a foamie or softboard, learn from the instructor how a surfboard works and how to pop up properly, and once you can pop up properly, then think about getting your own board.

At this point, you are very likely to buy the wrong board, and even if you get something suitable, you're not ready to surf it.

[icetime]

Take drownings advice and rent a board

[waikikikichan]

WHY are you asking us ? You should be asking your friend. He knows you and your skill level better than us. WHAT size board have you been borrowing from him ? A 6'6" or 9'6" or something in between ? Get something way bigger since you said you can't even stand up on it.
All the boards you listed are "sketchy" and please don't get a pointy nose like the 6'10" Ole.

[saltydog]

WHY are you asking us ? You should be asking your friend. He knows you and your skill level better than us. WHAT size board have you been borrowing from him ? A 6'6" or 9'6" or something in between ? Get something way bigger since you said you can't even stand up on it.
All the boards you listed are "sketchy" and please don't get a pointy nose like the 6'10" Ole.

Listen to this.

In case your friend has moved away or something... Get a 8' costco foamie for $100 unless you are really heavy like over 200lb. Best board for $ especially for beginners. I rode mine for 4 months before switching to a hard longboard, operative word being LONGBOARD. The boards you have listed are too short/narrow/thin/pointy and pretty iffy in terms of condition. If you see brown spots, they prob. need repair. Don't believe the sellers saying the boards are water tight. Most aren't. In so cal anything below $200 typically needs work before use. Unless you want a specific board and have the skill set to repair it don't bother. And NEVER BUY A PAINTED BOARD IF IT ISN"T THE ORIGINAL JOB! You can't tell what kind of damage is hiding underneath the paint. A painted board gets uglier as more ding repairs get done and if you don't repaint the spots, and repainting is an extra work that takes time and is a hassle. As for wetsuits get a 3/2 mm glued seam (not cheaper flat lock stitch.) That should work pretty much year-round unless you get cold easily. If it gets too warm just trunk it (no wetsuit.) Skip 2mm spring suit.

Really go talk to someone you know who surf, or go to a surf shop that does lessons. Shops that deal w/ beginners regularly should be able to steer you in the right direction.

[Eunj]

...immediately I've fallen in love.... barely able to stand on a board..

I still don't fully understand what exactly the differences in a surfboard mean. Epoxy vs PU? Shortboard vs Longboard? What do fins do?

We all understand, we've all been there, but seriously – don't jump in and buy your own board yet. You're not even at the beginner stage yet.
Take a few lessons, rent a foamie or softboard, learn from the instructor how a surfboard works and how to pop up properly, and once you can pop up properly, then think about getting your own board.

At this point, you are very likely to buy the wrong board, and even if you get something suitable, you're not ready to surf it.

it's not like that haha, I'll borrow my friends extra board a couple more times until summer proficient at surfing. I just want to be prepared for when the time comes.

[Eunj]

What is your height, weight, age, and how much time do you intend to spend surfing per day/week/month/year ?

155, 5'10, I'm 16 almost 17 and I'd like to go as frequent as biweekly, bimonthly at a minimum. Usually as an all day venture from 9AM - 6PM

[drowningbitbybit]

it's not like that haha, I'll borrow my friends extra board a couple more times until summer proficient at surfing. I just want to be prepared for when the time comes.

You won't be anywhere close to proficient at surfing for a long while yet - it takes a long long time. Just settle down and enjoy the ride.

I'd like to go as frequent as biweekly, bimonthly at a minimum. Usually as an all day venture from 9AM - 6PM

Many people on here (me included) surf more or less daily. The less often you go, the longer it'll take to get proficient.

Take the advice above - take a few lessons, rent a foamie, buy a cheap costco board, ride that for a few months, then start thinking about a proper board.

[Eunj]

it's not like that haha, I'll borrow my friends extra board a couple more times until summer proficient at surfing. I just want to be prepared for when the time comes.

You won't be anywhere close to proficient at surfing for a long while yet - it takes a long long time. Just settle down and enjoy the ride.

I'd like to go as frequent as biweekly, bimonthly at a minimum. Usually as an all day venture from 9AM - 6PM

Many people on here (me included) surf more or less daily. The less often you go, the longer it'll take to get proficient.

Take the advice above - take a few lessons, rent a foamie, buy a cheap costco board, ride that for a few months, then start thinking about a proper board.

you're right, thanks for all the advice guys! this site is great haha