What size board should I get?!

[Saskman518]

I am 6'1" and 160 lbs. The only time I have surfed was about 2 years ago, for a few weeks in christchurch, new zealand, back when I was a couple inches shorter and a few pounds lighter. Obviously I started out on a longer 8 foot foamy, but I worked my way down to a hard top that was probably about 7 feet long or so. I didn't have much troubles with it, so I'm wondering how big of a board I should get, I'm in really good shape and hoping to get a short board, it'll be mainly for New Zealand so not the biggest of waves but it's got quite the range. Any advice?

[Lebowski]

I wouldn't personally go any shorter than about 7' and 20"+ wide. If you've only surfed for a few weeks then you're basically a beginner and it'll take time to develop your paddling muscles even if you're fit from other sports. What area in New Zealand will you be surfing?

[tony g]

Hi Saskman518,
I would stay on a longboard 9' if I were you. You will catch more waves, ride the waves you do catch further, have more fun and learn to surf much faster. I watch a lot of people jump on shorboards to soon, and they slow down their learning. If you want to get better faster stay on a longer board for at least a few months. Then after you can catch open face waves with ease pop up easily, turn, and go down the line, then transition down to a funboard or mini mal. You want to have the longboard down before transitioning to a funboard.

[[surfthosewaves]]

Hi, Im 12 , 166 cm tall, 50 kgs. I have been surfing for about 3 weeks now, going at least twice a week, as i am 10 minutes from the beach. I have been renting a 6.8 funboard, and my mom decided that now it would just be cheaper to buy a second hand one. I have found a shop that sells second hand ones, but im in a bit of a pickle. There are plenty of boards that are around the right height for me (around 6.4) but i have no idea about the width. They mostly seemed to be 18 something or 19 , but i am not very good at standing , i am still on the whitewater waves, so will this width be too wobbly for me? I dont mind if i wont get it right away, but will it be too hard for me to progress on at all? Thanks for any help

[RonG]

I worked my way down to a hard top that was probably about 7 feet long or so. I didn't have much troubles with it

but i am not very good at standing , i am still on the whitewater waves, so will this width be too wobbly for me?

Those 2 things you sound like a bit of a contradiction. Seems like you should at least be able to consistently catch an unbroken wave and ride standing without issues before you think about working your way down to a shortboard.

[jaffa1949]

Hi, Im 12 , 166 cm tall, 50 kgs. I have been surfing for about 3 weeks now, going at least twice a week, as i am 10 minutes from the beach. I have been renting a 6.8 funboard, and my mom decided that now it would just be cheaper to buy a second hand one. I have found a shop that sells second hand ones, but im in a bit of a pickle. There are plenty of boards that are around the right height for me (around 6.4) but i have no idea about the width. They mostly seemed to be 18 something or 19 , but i am not very good at standing , i am still on the whitewater waves, so will this width be too wobbly for me? I dont mind if i wont get it right away, but will it be too hard for me to progress on at all? Thanks for any help

Hi Surfthose waves you have been given several answers in the other threads you've posted in
viewtopic.php?t=19819
and viewtopic.php?f=39&t=20671&p=158982#p158982 since you are 12 the width shouldn't be a problem , at 12 you are probably the most adaptable you will ever be, just get a board as per the recommendations and go surfing a fun board is really the best option for you.
The width of a fun board would give you a little more confidence and be good for any growth spurts.
Stop worrying too much, go surfing

[jaffa1949]

I worked my way down to a hard top that was probably about 7 feet long or so. I didn't have much troubles with it

but i am not very good at standing , i am still on the whitewater waves, so will this width be too wobbly for me?

Those 2 things you sound like a bit of a contradiction. Seems like you should at least be able to consistently catch an unbroken wave and ride standing without issues before you think about working your way down to a shortboard.

Hi RonG looky looky they are two different posters, the latter is a 12 year old .

[RonG]

I worked my way down to a hard top that was probably about 7 feet long or so. I didn't have much troubles with it

but i am not very good at standing , i am still on the whitewater waves, so will this width be too wobbly for me?

Those 2 things you sound like a bit of a contradiction. Seems like you should at least be able to consistently catch an unbroken wave and ride standing without issues before you think about working your way down to a shortboard.

Hi RonG looky looky they are two different posters, the latter is a 12 year old .

Oops. My bad.

[jaffa1949]

No wukkas I've racked a few too