learn on a shortboard?

[kai]

i live in cali about 10 minites from the beach i grew up on the beach and love it i am a great skimboarder and just tried surfing on my friends long board. I know that longboards are easier and what people learn on but

1. i dont want to have to carry around a huge thing
2. LOng boards look boring(straight)
4. Shortboards are way cheaper!!!!!!!!
any tips of if i should or shouldn't learn on a shortboard and if i should im 5"5 and weigh 110 what size would u recomend

[essex sucks]

get a mini mal about 7ft1

[O_Danny_Boy]

get a mini-mal

if you get a shortboard youll end up getting frustrated and then giving up

[nsidla]

I started out a 6'10'' the end of last summer and was able to stand within an hour and ride it fairly well. I already bodyboarded and bodysurfed though so I basically already new very well how to catch and ride waves. I love it, but I've been surfing for several months now.

[kai]

um ya i keep hearing that what exactlly is a minimal is a specific brand or is a ttype of surboard?like hal longboard half shortboard?o and i wanna ger an arrow board if any1's has an opion on them

[RJD]

Mal is short for Malibu, or the traditional round nosed longboard you see eveywhere.

Mini mals are usualy 7 to 8 ft long but its the shape & curves that put it somewhere between a shortboard & malibu.

It paddles more like a malibu (fast & easy) but turns/rides closer to a short board(than a full mal). Also called a funboard.

Nice middleground or useless compromise depending on your point of view. I have an 8ft minimal that I sometimes use on bigger days(instead of my 9'2").

Its harder to paddle & catch waves than a longboard, definatly 'zippier' once your onto your feet/less stable.

[kai]

could anyone show me a pic of their mini mal,o and is a inimal only from 1 brand(malibu)or do other brands like arrow make them to?

[essex sucks]

not mine but some pics of mini mals

[RUSS-D]

Go with a true shorty, a mini mal is just a short long board. At the very least get some type of hybrid fish, they are about the size of a shortboard, but have more float. I learned on a shorty exclusively. Yes it took me longer to learn, but if you are allready Surfing your buds log, then it shouldn't be much of a problem switching over. Just gonna have to get used to less bouyancy, and learn how to paddle harder.