Can I use my old shortboard?

[minneola24]

Hello,

I used to surf all the time when I was 12-14 years old. Now im 18 and havent surfed since.

I'm about 5'10 150.

I have a lost board thats 6'2. Is this OK to use? I went out today and couldnt stand up whatsoever but had a blast. I felt like the board was pretty small, but maybe it isn't and i'm just making excuses why I can't stand up.

Sitting on the board out in the water was a bit hard, I don't remember this requiring much technique but I couldn't sit down once out in the water. Is it my weight, the board, or just takes time to learn to do?

Thanks

[tony g]

Hello minneola24,
Surfing does take a lot of time to get any good at, but it is fun even while you are learning. It is great just being out there in the ocean. Yes a bigger board like a longboard or funboard is much easier to learn on than a 6'2" shortboard. If you already have a few years under your belt you may be able to get back to where you were with some time in the water. When you were younger were you popping up and riding the open face of the wave? I would say rent or borrow a bigger board and see what the difference is for yourself!

[jaffa1949]

Hi Minneola here is a simple test, see if you can find the clothes, preferably a pair of jeans that you had when you were 12 or 14.
Try them on, if they still both in length and around your waist you will regain you old levels with some time in the water
But as I suspect and with natural growth you will find neither the jeans or the board you had then fits.
The board will OK to use when you get your skills back and then some,my advice store the board safely and get a bigger board. try that and see.
Another simple test before you commit any money, go hire a longer board about 8ft and see how much of your skills are still around, go have fun!

[garbarrage]

I find that if I've been out of the water for a month or more, I need at least a couple of sessions on a bigger board than normal to get back in the swing. At your age 6 or so years is a lifetime ago. I'd say treat yourself like a complete beginner and go with a longer board if you can get your hands on one.

[Toj]

I would listen to what has already been said. Treat yourself like a beginner, keep the board you have for a later date, and either hire a board or buy a second hand minimal/longboard. As Tony g asked. What was your level of surfing when you where 12-14? that would help on giving you further advice.

[gatorbait231]

Well I have just started surfing (2 months, been out 9 times) and I naively bought a 6' 2" board a RonJon board and I'm now able to surf moderately well for a beginner. In my opinion it all depends on how determined you are to ride the board. Over the past 9 times I've been out, I've spent a total of about 22 hours in the water. 6 of those were me chasing after waves and the next 4 were me falling off. It just takes time to learn or relearn.

[surferdude_scarborough]

Youre a similar size to me and my regular shortboard is a 5'11 with very little thickness at all. If i haven't surfed for a few months it takes me a few sessions/a bit of training to get back into good enough shape to use it. I got tyhe board when I was about 16 or 17 and I'm 23 now but can still ride it.

I think you should hang on to your old board as it sounds like it probably is quite a good size for you but I would think about buying or hiring something with more volume until you get your mojo back.

[Trickster]

You could just be a little rusty after not surfing for 4 years.

[surf patrol]

Hi Trickster, welcome to Surfing Waves!

I'm a little rusty after 4 week out of the water