Hi I started surfing about a month ago. I started with a 10 foot foamie, then moved down to a 9 foot foamie and was surfing the 9 foot foamie in waves 1-2 feet to 4-5 feet. Last week I tried my friend's 9 foot epoxy board in 1-2 feet waves which I was able to surf. The problem with all of these boards is that I cannot get my arm around them while walking to the beach/getting in the water which means that when I am in the water my arms don't reach very well over the sides to paddle well either. I also feel like when I am trying to turn I can feel that the board is too large/heavy under my feet.
My weight is 120 pounds, my height is 5 feet 2 inches, and I have a good fitness level.
I am looking to buy an everyday rider that will be a little bit easier maneuver than any of the longboards I have been using so wanted to get a funboard...
I found a used Dolsey with a swallow tail that is 7'6 x 21 1/2" x 2 3/4"
My main concerns are: will 7'6 be large enough for me to still catch waves? will I be able to catch waves that are only 1-2 or 2-3 feet so that it is more of an everyday rider? is the swallow tail too hard for beginners?