Beginners longboard to learn cross stepping and nose riding

[Cruiser]

Can I have your opinion please, I'd like to buy a soft top longboard to learn cross stepping and nose riding on very small and clean days when I struggle to catch as many waves as usual with my 7' learners softboard.

I know you guys are longboarders and most likely don't surf on softboards but I don't feel ready for a fiberglass board yet as I'm not in control of my 7' board yet and I just want to have fun on the waves and not worry about hitting myself or other people with a hard board.

I'm a 44 yo female, 167 cm, 63 kg, I've started surfing over a year ago, and I've been very happy with my 7' Softech Roller softboard, catching green waves on small days, up to 1-2 feet in Cronulla beach breaks, Sydney, able to ride at some angle but not turning much yet. But there are those beautiful clean almost flat days, which I love, but my board seems to be too small to catch those waves that hardly break or look like are going to break but aren't. I went once to a point break and I've noticed that some longboarders were able to catch waves that weren't even breaking. So I was thinking about getting soft top longboard for those tiny days, and learn cross stepping and nose riding.

There are a few soft top longboard choices I found:

Takayama x Surftech In the Pink Softboard 9' 22 15/16" 3" 70.1L

Creative Army The General - Epoxy Soft 9' 23 1/2" 3" 87L

RYD Sea Movie Soft Top 9’2 23" 3" 74.3L

My current board is 7' 22 1/4" 3 1/7" 66L

I'm not sure of a few things regarding longboards' dimensions:

1. I think I should get the board with the most volume (9' 23 1/2" 3" 87L) so that I can catch as many of those small waves as I can, but I'm concerned that 23 1/2" width may make it harder to paddle as it is wider then my current board (my current board seems perfect width for my shoulder size)? I've also noticed that longboards specifically made or advertised for ladies are less in width.
2. Is 9' a good length for a female my size to learn cross stepping and nose riding? Or should I go shorter or longer. There is a lot of advice regarding the length of the board for nose riding, such as 9'6" should be a minimum, but I feel like it's directed at guys since there are more male surfers our there.

I basically would like to get the biggest board (length + volume) I can manage in the water (transporting and carrying to the beach is not an issue, I can carry my 10 foot paddle board to the beach), a wave catching machine, so that I can catch the most small waves on a flat day (when most of the time it's flat and on sets come these very friendly small waves that are so hard to catch that everyone is frustrated, or it's just me, and I'd like to have those waves all to myself:)

Any advice greatly appreciated. TIA

[waikikikichan]

I would recommend getting the Catch Surf 8'6" Noserider. Outline is wide and square. It is set up only as a single fin, so it will force you to slow down and work with the wave.

https://catchsurf.com/products/catch-su ... single-fin

That said, it won't really matter what board you get until you learn TRIM.

I know you guys are longboarders and most likely don't surf on softboards

I've been surfing soft surf boards for over 25 years.

[jaffa1949]

I also go along with the 8‘ 6“ catch surf, your size and weight are suited there, you are noticing what does and doesn‘t work for you ( noticing easy paddling width) so you will make your learning easier.
Depending if you can travel south from Cronulla , there are some very good learning waves down the south coast, some like Broulee have a group of women surfers who will welcome and encourage you!
Mollymook and area has nice soft and improver level waves.

[Cruiser]

Great, I came across the Catch Surf 8'6" Noserider before, I'll have a look.
Thanks for your tips about TRIM and travel south!

[Cruiser]

[quote="waikikikichan"]I would recommend getting the Catch Surf 8'6" Noserider. Outline is wide and square. It is set up only as a single fin, so it will force you to slow down and work with the wave.

https://catchsurf.com/products/catch-su ... single-fin

[quote="jaffa1949"]I also go along with the 8‘ 6“ catch surf, your size and weight are suited there,

I've been thinking hard about which board to get, finding it hard to decide, so I've revisited my objectives, which are to catch the most waves on only super small days. Manoeuvrability is less important because I find turning is harder the smaller the wave is anyway. So it's just about catching waves and riding. If this is my objective, wouldn't it be better for me to get a longer board, like the 9' In the pink soft top?

I think I'm trying to figure out if the 9' 70 litres In the pink is going to be catching those small waves better than Catch Surf 8'6" at 80 litres as it is longer or is it the other way around since Catch Surf 8'6" has more volume?

[waikikikichan]

You are mainly looking at only two dimensions, Length and Volume. You have to consider the board as a whole.
Have you considered.......
Nose width
Rail shaped
Outline
Rocker

and more importantly ........ Tail Kick ( especially on the In-the-Pink )

Since you are considering soft boards, how about the NSP Teacher's Pet in 8'4". It meant to catch waves easily and be stable. May not be the easiest to maneuver, but that's not a priority for you as you said.

[Cruiser]

You are mainly looking at only two dimensions, Length and Volume. You have to consider the board as a whole.
Have you considered.......
Nose width
Rail shaped
Outline
Rocker

and more importantly ........ Tail Kick ( especially on the In-the-Pink )

Since you are considering soft boards, how about the NSP Teacher's Pet in 8'4". It meant to catch waves easily and be stable. May not be the easiest to maneuver, but that's not a priority for you as you said.

Good points, it is all important, but so confusing at the same time. I wish we could try the boards before we buy!
Thanks a lot!