I need help choosing a board for small waves=BEGINNER*

[jerseyboarder00]

hey i used to surf a little bit with my friends longboard in new jersey.. you know nj has small waves. but i want my own, and i dont want a longboard becuase its so hard to duck dive..

i have around 500 dollars to spend on one, if i need to spend that much..

maybe the longest shortboard? 6 feet 8 inches right?

im 5 10 and weigh 135...


any suggestions?

[Surfing-Innovation]

Beginner who wants to surf quickly and easily = longboard or minimal (OK, not always, but mostly)

And if you're a beginner, then duck diving isn't going to be that high on the priority list.........

Get a board that suits your ability and what you want to achieve with your riding style. If that means it'll be too big to duck dive, then you'll have to learn to turtle roll instead - far better to compromise on the method you use to get out back, rather than being able to get into the green waves and not be able to ride them!

[jerseyboarder00]

no like its not only duck diving.. like I don't wanna be a longboarder I wanna ride a short board... I dnt wan be a longboardet so I want a shortboard... so yeahh.. I've surfed before on a longboard only cuz that's the extra board he has... I'm just concerned that the small waves and stuff with the shortboard

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

I suggest getting a funboard. they are not quite a long board and will help teach you balance and control, and will still catch the smaller waves.
then when you feel comfortable enough step up to a shortboard.

remember.. longboarding is fun too

[jerseyboarder00]

hmm.. a funboard.. i kinda like the idea when i saw pictures of them

what exactly is a funboard?


not a longboard not a shortboard but kind of in the middle??


what size would you recommend? what brand?

[Surfing-Innovation]

By all means get a shortboard if that's what you REALLY want - but may I suggest that if you ask for advice, you make yourself a little clearer so that people don't waste their energy trying to offer you help you obviously don't want............

[greg@hoodatsurfco]

hmm.. a funboard.. i kinda like the idea when i saw pictures of them

what exactly is a funboard?


not a longboard not a shortboard but kind of in the middle??


what size would you recommend? what brand?

yeah a fun board is an easy in between of a long/short generally in an egg shape. i would suggest between 7-7'6"

although it does depend on what kind of waves you have coming in your way.
where are you located?

[jerseyboarder00]

im located in new jersey

[RJD]

The basics are the same on any surfboard.

Paddling, catching waves, poping up etc.

Except you'll find a longboard easier to paddle, catch many more waves, quicker to get and stay on your feet, do a bottom turn and get the board trimed.

IMo learn on a longboard then move to a shorter one. I know its not advice you want but its the right advice.

Your time in the water your only actualy at a point to learn for a few % of it , rest is floundering round drowning/paddling etc. Make the most of that few % on a longboard.

[jerseyboarder00]

yeahh your right. but how long would i start with?

[RJD]

9tf custom or prehaps an 8ft nsp or something.

I have an 8ft minimal and a 9'2" longboard, the longboard is a whole lot eaiser.

edit:

I started on a borrowed 9'2", bought the 8fter after a few months, then bought my own longboard a year later.

I'll ride the minimal one day and it'll be fun, but after 2 years I'm not there yet.

[jerseyboarder00]

but hahah i feel like i'd feel like the biggest asshole walking around with a board like... 4 feet taller than me

[Stone Fox]

but hahah i feel like i'd feel like the biggest asshole walking around with a board like... 4 feet taller than me

I shouldn't find that funny, but I do. Although, possibly not in the way he thinks. But then it's been a stressful day.

[Surfing-Innovation]

Too ... many ... easy ... replies - must ... contain ... myself

[libby]

I know Surf Patrol asked us not to do this...........sorry but can't quite help myself....................





And to the guy/girl who is asking: the only thing that is going to make you look like an asshole is trying to ride a board that is too advanced for you.

[surferdude_scarborough]

ok if you want to be a shortboarder dont get a longboard. its a long road down to a shortboard. but dont get a shortboard yet. funboards are good boards for moving down later to a shortboard but still stable enough and easy enough to catch waves on for a beginner. also whoever mentioned duckdiving is right. it takes ages to get right and even after you think youve got it you will get found out in big surf and have to learn it all over again so dont worry about that. you shouldnt be surfing waves big enough to need a solid duckdive straight away anyways.

[jerseyboarder00]

exactly^^^^

this is so hard to explain but this is what i was thinking:


get a shortboard. the longest length 6 foot 8 right?

idc if it takes me a long time to be able to get up and stuff. i really dont, i have the whole summer



but im just concerned that the small new jersey waves will make riding a shortboard a lot harder



or maybe get a funboard now?

[surferdude_scarborough]

actually what i said was get a funboard. for a learner id say between 7' and 7'6 should be fine. anything shorter than that will be really hard to learn on. funboards are the best of both worlds really almost like a fat shortboard wider in the nose thicker and longer. generally just more stable.

starting on a shortboard is a bad idea. i shortboard now but still use my funboard for those small mushy days or when my arms are tired but i dont want to stop surfing i swap to the funboard.

[jerseyboarder00]

actually what i said was get a funboard. for a learner id say between 7' and 7'6 should be fine. anything shorter than that will be really hard to learn on. funboards are the best of both worlds really almost like a fat shortboard wider in the nose thicker and longer. generally just more stable.

starting on a shortboard is a bad idea. i shortboard now but still use my funboard for those small mushy days or when my arms are tired but i dont want to stop surfing i swap to the funboard.

yeah your right. nj is always small mushy days..


i think next weekend im going to go to the local shop to check some outl. any suggestions on brands?

nsp?

[surferdude_scarborough]

might be worth looking for a used board. that way u will save a load of money for when you want to downsize a bit. id been surfing 4 years before i got my first new board this year.