Big Dudes Surfing

[FriedFlounder]

So I’ve been wanting to get into surfing pretty much my whole life, but haven’t ever been able to for whatever reason. I know I have the time and effort to put into it and I want to make it one of my goals this summer.

The only snag is, I’m a big guy. Now, I’m not one of those fat sloppy dudes that are just a disgusting mess. I’m 6’ 4” about 250 and just an all around big guy. I’ve never really seen to many big guys surfing though. I know they make boards for bigger guys, but they always seem to really be geared towards tall people. I’m worried that being a big guy is going to make it harder to learn how to surf. Is there any truth to this or am I overreacting? Is anyone here a bigger guy that surfs with no problem or knows someone who is?

Any help would be appreciated. I apologize if this has been covered in another topic.

[RJD]

Mate size is no issue!



Your 6'4" and 115kg's I'd say try out a chunky 9'6" classic mal shaped board or even a 10 footer.

[drowningbitbybit]

Is there any truth to this or am I overreacting?

Yeah, there's some truth in it, but not enough to prevent you from surfing.

A 5'6 50kg skinny whippet will find it easier to start with, and throwing a shortboard around is a lot simpler when you havent got 100kg to spin around with it.
But plenty of big guys surf longboards with no problem, and a shortboard is a possibility with a bit of commitment. You'll never be surfing a 5'8 potato chip of a board, but you'll do fine on something with a bit of float.

[FriedFlounder]

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate it. So longboard is probably the way to go? I hope to at some point (when my skills enhance much more) to transition to a shortboard. I've heard it's tough to make the switch from lb to sb. Any thoughts on that? Can you guys recommend any LB brands and places to buy them (reasonable priced)? Remember, I'm totally new to this.

I also, I skateboarded for years. All through my high school and early in college (25 now), will this come in handy?

Again, thanks!

[themathteacher]

All big dudes should start on longboards, just no way of getting around it. Begginers need stability, big begginers need big stability. If you get anything short you just won't enjoy it as much.

Also, if you start surfing and do it often you won't be that big for long...

[RJD]

He may not have all that much excess weight to loose!

All the skills you learn on a longboard are transferable with a tweak or two to a shortboard. It will take some effort and a few new skills to SB after LB but your setting yourself up to progess starting on a longboard, you could spend a lot of time and effort with a shorty and get nowhere.

Also a starter shortboard for you would be 8ft anyhow...

[isaluteyou]

100% longboard something pretty big and floaty - i know a guy whos the same height n wiegth as you and 40 years old who started recently and doing good. So yea its not easy but def doable. In most instances if you put in the effort you will likely get paid off - well practically speaking philosophically is another story

[Rodrigo]

im a big boy too, over 6ft about 250-260 pounds but most of it muscle (or so i like to think!)

riding a longboard for a while now, 9'4, no problems. i was frustrated for a while cos i used to land on one knee during takeoff, but i killed that habit last summer, although it took a while. getting better and better now, making smooth bottom turns, riding backhand, etc

thinking of buying a big guy tri 7'8, will see how it goes this summer

one thing i found was that paddling for me was much easier during bigger days, due to more power in my shoulders and generally more weight to sink the tail during my half-assed duckdives (hard to duck a long board, but it can be done)

the skinnier dudes seemed to have a harder time getting out, but i know this not an exclusive rule

[LeeM]

I'm 6'3 240lbs and sorta fit, and surfing really helps. One great advantage is that very few people want to drop in on you.