advice for new or intermediate surfers

[marionkneedeep]

:D hi i started surfing last summer , i would goto the beach about once or twice every month. i ride a 7-10 23 or 22 , 21/2 board. and i want to get a new board, but a shortboard, can u give me some tips on the length and width ,or band that i should get please thank u

[Inletsurfer]

ok...ill just scrape the surface

Board size...

You want something thats big enough to get up on comfortably. Everythning in surfboards are speed vs. meneuvering...the shorter the board the easier to cut around on but its less sturdy and harder to get into waves...smaller waves, smaller board as far as shortboards go..you wont be able to do a snap on a 8ft gun on a 2ft wave. But you want a long enough board to give you those nice long rides if you havent mastered the pumping up and down the face method of gaining speed.

Thickness..

Thicker boards for smaller choppy waves.....i tend to go thin on big hollow glassy waves. The thicker board makes you float more...giving you more speed on weak lines

Tail

Pin tail- Speed, slower turning
Swallow tail (fish tail)- choppy surf..very tight feeling
squared(Squash i believe?)- loose feeling..perfect for spraying the lip and throwing those huge snaps

thats just the basics....ask around about the rocker, width, concave

[Inletsurfer]

just to add a bit more...the rails are really important

boxy- advanced surfer, big waves
low rail(its totaly flat the semi-circles over)- cuts into those choppy wind blown waves
there are a bunch inbetween

there are two ends of the spectrum...find the best board for you..the right board makes the biggest difference