New Surfer, needs some Advice

[peterpan]

Hi there guys! I'm 27 years old, 5'6" / 170cm and 138 pounds / 63Kg. I'm moving to England soon and i want to buy my first surfboard. I have never surfed before but im into board sports since a kid. I was into swimming and skateboarding when i was younger and im also into snowboarding during the last 20 years. So if these are relevant, i guess that the learning curve will be small. Im want to buy the correct board that i will keep it and progress with it and not a board that i will have to change soon. So what's a suitable board for me and the english surf?
Thanks!

[billie_morini]

9 foot longboard
Fiberglass, not soft top or foam board
Get a 5/4 wetsuit or, if you don't get cold easily, then get a 4/3 wetsuit
You may want some kind of hood ane booties, too

[Rickyroughneck]

9 foot longboard
Fiberglass, not soft top or foam board
Get a 5/4 wetsuit or, if you don't get cold easily, then get a 4/3 wetsuit
You may want some kind of hood ane booties, too

This, but get mitts too if you want to surf in the winter

[tonylamont]

I have never surfed before but im into board sports since a kid. I was into swimming and skateboarding when i was younger and im also into snowboarding during the last 20 years. So if these are relevant, i guess that the learning curve will be small.

And be patient - no matter what your board sports experience, surfing is tough. About 90% of the skills you will have to learn as a beginner have little to do with snowboarding or skateboarding. Though if you are a strong swimmer and have maintained your conditioning that will definitely help.

[peterpan]

thanks for the replies guys. Ok with the 5/3, boots, mitts, etc
But isnt a 9 footer too long and very forgiving? will i be able to turn with this?

And be patient - no matter what your board sports experience, surfing is tough. About 90% of the skills you will have to learn as a beginner have little to do with snowboarding or skateboarding. Though if you are a strong swimmer and have maintained your conditioning that will definitely help.

Well i agree, i will have to learn new techniques, but seriously isn't the balance feeling - experience relative at all? Yes i'm a strong swimmer and have big experience with the sea.

Something shorter will not be ok?
Thanks again!

[jaffa1949]

Hi Peter Pan, something shorter will work for you over a longer period, it will be more frustrating, everything you know about balance has some bearing but , hills and snow slopes do not move and (unless you are off piste in avalanche zone) fall on your head
All land based boards sports rely on gravity you start by pointing yourself downhill, you are already standing! You don't have to use you arms to match the hills speed, and then stand up Surfing is DIFFERENT to all land based board sports

Long boards, short board all can turn and do their stuff well but the choice is yours
Believe me 9ft is not necessarily forgiving in a wipeout.
Before shortboards all the breaks on the planet were ridden on longboards and most breaks still are being surfed on longboards.
Good longboarding is not just a zone for old geeks and learners although they're there. Google Bonga Perkins at Pipeline and other performance longboarders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywfuGTXK ... re=related
Too many people are being sold short boards that they will have great difficulty riding ( the seller has made the cash) the potential surfer is frustrated and need great character to push on to become a surfer.
End of rant
Have a read of the posts about learning on this forum.
Like I said you can go shorter but it will make your learning curve harder, you could go for higher volume short boards or mid range boards. You have been offered some advice, again the choice is yours.

[peterpan]

thanks for the detailed reply jaffa!
i've read of the posts about learning, and the board guide before posting in the first place, as well. maybe that's why i have so many questions, u know, i've seen many different opinions... from longboards, to mini-mals, to retro rockets, to fish, to heavyweight dudes been advised for shorter longboards than the 9 footer, etc
Although u seem to know what u are talking about and i appreciate your answer!
So why a longboard and not a mini-mal? is that because the mini-mal will need a change soon, is that because of the conditions in the UK or what?

[Rickyroughneck]

thanks for the detailed reply jaffa!
i've read of the posts about learning, and the board guide before posting in the first place, as well. maybe that's why i have so many questions, u know, i've seen many different opinions... from longboards, to mini-mals, to retro rockets, to fish, to heavyweight dudes been advised for shorter longboards than the 9 footer, etc
Although u seem to know what u are talking about and i appreciate your answer!
So why a longboard and not a mini-mal? is that because the mini-mal will need a change soon, is that because of the conditions in the UK or what?

A minimal is fine, but is generally used by learners whose goal it is to eventually move down in size. Longboards are infinitely cooler , and are equally good for beginners.

[jaffa1949]

Hi Peter pan, my post wasn't about an be all and end all statement for a longboard, at your size and weight a minimal like Rickyrough neck said is a good option.
My statement about longboards was against the thought that they are as turnable as an aircraft carrier.

Things to consider; you have told us weight and height so longboard/minimal = good, you probably won't need to change boards for quite a while as the learning curve is better for having a baseline board and then branching out because then you will know you mind and in what direction you wish to take your surfing.

Usual progress, straight line to beach white water standing
white water standing minor direction changes all of which is no big deal just reasonably easy to achieve and often done in one day schools
the game changes catching a green( unbroken ) wave matching speed, dropping down the face setting a turn riding across the wave, crank up your excitement, this is the beginning of real surfing, here some of your board sports balance and skills may resurface and speed up the process.

Enemies of success, impatience and going to too small a volume board as unlike land boards, you need flotation for easy paddling, most beginners find the timing and skills of paddling and popping up the most difficult (Hence the mass of post on this). All multiplied in your case by the need to paddle in a severe wetsuit.
Keep us posted on board choice and progress in a cold climate.

[peterpan]

Thanks for your help guys, i feel much more informed now!
So if i go for the longboard, what kind of technical characteristics should i look for? fiberglass, 9'0'' what about thickness and stuff? single fin?
Same question applies for the minimal also.
thanks!

[tonylamont]

Most 9' longboards will be in the 22"-23" width and 2 7/8" - 3 1/4 " thickness range. Anywhere in there is fine for a beginner. Get a used board as your first if you can find one - you will inflict a lot more board damage as a beginner (dings, running into sand in shallow water, etc.) and a beater is fine to learn on. From that standpoint, I think epoxy boards can be a good choice for a beginner as they are more durable, though I much prefer poly boards. As far as fins, I think either a single or tri-fin setup is fine. Most modern boards have fin boxes that allow you to use either configuration.

Any mini-mal should also be OK, but I agree with Jaffa that you might as well get a longboard. Even if you progress to a shortboard, it's nice to have a longboard around for smaller days and you can do really cool stuff on longboards.

And agree with Jaffa about not starting on a shortboard. It can be done, but it will slow down your learning curve and be frustrating. Not only are they harder to ride, but they are harder to paddle and catch waves on and that is the biggest part of the learning curve. As a beginner, you want as much time catching and riding waves as possible - the more reps, the faster you learn how to take off right, how to control the board, etc. You already have limited time to surf (and in many places, you will have to battle crowds for waves) so why further handicap yourself with a really difficult board?

[jaffa1949]

Most boards of the size you are now looking at have the option of fin systems and should come with a basic set of three fins for a longer board I'd have a larger centre fin and two smaller side bites that you can have in or or out.

Having a fin systems FCS or futures or shapers series is a great option for a learner as you can try diferent thing , glassed in you are stuck with what you've got.
If it is a thruster configuration the fins will be about equal. Have a read of the fin primer and then experiment with what you have and you will see what suits you. Loads of fun in store for you.
Post pictures of what you are considering buying and we can advise.

[peterpan]

Thanks a lot for the advices guys! Until the store thing it may take a while, but i will keep you posted!

[Rickyroughneck]

Keep us posted on board choice and progress in a cold climate.

I had my first ice-cream headache a week and a bit ago



What hasn't been mentioned is that I would recommend buying second hand for a longboard; longboards (and surfboards in general) are expensive first hand. Buy a longboard as cheap as possible (make sure it is water-tight and hasn't sucked too much water in its life); after you have ridden that for a bit you can make a more informed decision on what you want and perhaps look at spending a bit more money. Alternatively it would be cool to stick to the first log, I love keeping and surfing my boards more and more .

[jaffa1949]

I had my first ice-cream headache a week and a bit ago

Hope you get that licked ASAP

[peterpan]

Where do you surf Rickyroughneck?