New aspiring surfer with couple Q's

[fiercemind]

I have wakeboarded for a while now (im not sure if that helps when surfing, im sure some mechanics do) but anyhow, I just got stationed at a base (Camp Lejeune) where we are very close to the beach and have always wanted to get into surfing. I read the beginners guide and what not, but i have pretty good stability on the water so I was wondering what a good size board to get would be? I am planning all this ahead since it is the winter, as soon as it warms up im going to be hitting the beach as often as possible. I really want to learn so that I can do it regularly. That is why I don't want a board that I will grow out of rather fast. Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated. I'm about 5'8, 148lbs.

edit: I am asking because I noticed in the beginner section they were talking about all these Ginormous boards. I really think that once I get the hang of it it'll come fairly quickly.

[RJD]

How old are you, sounds like your pretty physical already?

Whatcha want to surf, shot or long?

Its hard to find aboard that'll take you from learner to pro, the things that make an advanced board usualy work against a learner somewhat.

Is there anywhere close you can rent a board from ?

[Real Pol]

It's better to grow out of a board quickly than be stuck with a board you can't surf!

Get a minimal. (<That's a full stop, but I'll continue. If you grow out a board you know you're into surfing, if you get a board that takes you years to even get to intermediate with you might never get your stoke. Buy a second hand/cheap minimal, if you get good, sell it and buy something smaller.)

[fiercemind]

I really dont have too much money to blow on a board that's gonna last me a month. I'm in probably the best shape of my life. Have a 300 pft score in the Marine Corps. that's a perfect score. That's what i'm sayin, being able to maneuver more will probably be the hardest part for me to learn. So maybe a shorter board? i'm not exactly sure which would suit me. I don't really know anyone around here that surfs so i'll be teaching myself, but then again open water will be available. I know it sounds kinda like I'm jumping into things, but that's just the type of person I am lol. I'm fairly confident and it looks like a whole lot of fun to me. Im 21 by the way

[drowningbitbybit]

I really dont have too much money to blow on a board that's gonna last me a month.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

In a month of surfing, you'll be just beginning to get the hang of laying on the board and paddling....
It doesnt matter how fit you are, or even how much you wakeboard, the hardest parts of learning to surf are all about paddling, positioning and timing. You dont need to worry about the finer elements of turning and tricks for a long time yet.

Buy a shortboard if you like - you'll sit in the whitewater with every other learner but frustrated that unlike them you cant catch a wave or stand on your board when you finally do. Buy a mini-mal (full stop).

[RJD]

Mate, technique >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> fitness.

And as a newb it'll take you a year or two to grow out of a board.

Get a 'custom' glass/foam or surftech epoxy, btu one moer for a learner/beggginer.

i.e. nothing extreem.

No mad rocker or rail profiles, decent chunky floaty board something with a square tail.

A lighter, thiner shiftier board will just make everything harder to do.

[Farno]

I really dont have too much money to blow on a board that's gonna last me a month.

I'd say i'm fit, i run over 20miles a weeks and have a back ground in windsurfing and kitesurfing....Surfing is without doubt the hardest water sport i've done, I'm 5'11 and just under 80kg. I've been surfing regularly for 3-4 months now on a NSP Minimal 7'6. Today i got up got my hands off the rails and made it for about 5 seconds straight down the line, best feeling ever. Being fit will help, but you aint gonna out grow a minimal any time soon.

[Tenaciousgreen]

If I can add to the mix that I learnt in about 6 months (with 13 weeks out due to a bust rib) on a 6'8 big fish. I nearly completed my first cutback today so feel pretty stoked at how well I am doing, although I did get frustrated at times. Having also wakeboarded it will help with stability, but getting ups the hardest part of learning to surf and paddling is like no other form of exercise I have done!

I also found that my second hand fish in VGC was a lot cheaper than a second hand Mal in a similar condition.

Good Luck with your decision.

[fisherguy]

Most people say you need to go with a longboard. I longboarded for 2 weeks then moved onto a 6'6" shortboard. The longboard helped with getting used to popping up and standing. In my opinion, find a friend or rent a longboard for a bit then buy a shortboard once u can stand confidently on a longboard. There rly is no sense in buying one if you're interested in shortboarding, as u'll grow out of it fast. Its rly a matter of how often you surf too, as my friend learned how to surf on a shortboard.

[alimac2411]

i started on a 7 foot magic carpet, outgrew it in about 7 weeks, now i've moved to a 7 foot fat boy flyer which is a lot more manouvereable, and after almost feeling like giving up cause i was struggling to get a decent ride down the wave, i asked for a few tips on this forum and within 1 more surf it clicked. Rather than going to a shortboard i'm staying on a fat boy flyer, which is kind of a large shortboard for the next few months anyway. I'd say if you want a board that'll be good for learning on, and will last you a while, try a fat boy flyer. I could move to a short board now but am choosing not to, as there's so much to learn and perfect on the fat boy flyer!

[justloafing]

I have wakeboarded for a while now (im not sure if that helps when surfing, im sure some mechanics do) but anyhow, I just got stationed at a base (Camp Lejeune) where we are very close to the beach and have always wanted to get into surfing. I read the beginners guide and what not, but i have pretty good stability on the water so I was wondering what a good size board to get would be? I am planning all this ahead since it is the winter, as soon as it warms up im going to be hitting the beach as often as possible. I really want to learn so that I can do it regularly. That is why I don't want a board that I will grow out of rather fast. Any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated. I'm about 5'8, 148lbs.

edit: I am asking because I noticed in the beginner section they were talking about all these Ginormous boards. I really think that once I get the hang of it it'll come fairly quickly.

I am 45 minutes down the road from you. I have a soft top that I found and that would be perfect for the first session or two. Just to get the paddleing down and pop up. Once you get that down I have a 9'0" or a 9'6' glass boards you can try. Then you can go from there. I would be more than happy to go out on the water with you.

[stuzzy07]

I havn't been surfing that long, but i think it really depends on how often you will be in the water. I just started in august and come from a wakeboarding backround, which will help with your turns and stability, but thats about it. I learned on a 6'10 shortboard, went out a couple times on it, learned how to paddle out, couldn't really duck dive it, i'm only 5'7 and learned how to stand up. Bought a 5'11 shortboard, can stand up and catch waves, used it 3 times and already starting to ride down the line. I know this isn't typical, but my point is, just rent or borrow a board til you get the hang of it and then spend the money on a shorty if you decide you like the sport and want to stick with it.

[smallwavegrovellerchick]

Since you sound to be in good physical shape, paddling should come fairly easy. However, wave selection, timing, making split second critical decisions, and ripping it up in general will take experience and probably years in the water. Surfing is a continuous learning process and if you think that you're good in only a few months, then you probably need to see video footage of yourself. Be prepared to be humbled and frustrated because surfing is NOT easy.

With that said, you're a young guy. Start off on a shortboard and ride one as long as you have the energy and stamina to do so. Maybe start with something about a foot taller than you and work you way down from there. If you can find something used, that would be great. As you surf more you'll get more dialed into what works for you and what will help improve your surfing.