Tall, skinny beginner.

[Papa0087]

Hey,
I'm am 6'2, 165 lbs (74kg), 35 yr old beginner.
I'll be surfing the mid-coast of South Australia mainly 1-5 ft waves, at most once a week.
I'm not too bothered about progressing to shorter/longer boards, I'm just looking to enjoy my surfing.
I'm looking to buy a torq surfboard, either the 8'0, 8'6, or 9'0.
Which would you suggest is best for me?
Id really appreciate some advice. cheers

[jaffa1949]

At your weight you could go to an 8'6" but you height makes me think 9ft would be better , we have some serious Torq fans here.

Keep in mind some trips to Yorkes peninsula Gleesons landing Pondalowy bay etc. when you get your skills together.

Bird rock near Maslins keep your eyes on the surfing , Middleton at a pinch, , anyway you probably know what suits your level!

Have fun

[Papa0087]

Thanks Jaffa.

[dtc]

Go with jaffa's advice. A 9ft looks huge on land, but once you are in the water it doesn't look so bad!

[Papa0087]

Dtc, is it possible that 9ft would be a bit of a tank for me considering my light weight? Wouldn't the 8'6 be a little more manoeuvrable but just as easy to paddle/catch waves?
I'm not concerned with looking cool, I'd just like to not have to upgrade my board too quicky.
Thanks

[Big H]

DTC is spot on; longboards look HUGE out of the water....in the water as a beginner you will cherish every inch and they really do seem smaller once you get out back....lightweight and a fair bit of foil, Torq's are not tanks at any size....get the biggest one you can find and don't look back.

FWIW I have a 9'6" I will never sell; I ride it in knee slappers to 1.5OH....longboards cannot be outgrown and you should keep it at the core of your budding quiver.

[waikikikichan]

I'm not concerned with looking cool, I'd just like to not have to upgrade my board too quicky.

And if you buy a too small board that doesn't allow you to catch waves, then you can buy the proper board next and have two boards.

Upgrade your board as your skills advance. As a beginner, bigger is better. Do you have other limiting factors as your car, stairwell, apartment ?

[jaffa1949]

Your weight is fine
To ride a nine,
You won't be too light
To ride it alright.
If you are all about fun
Then nine is the one,
As your skills grow
We all happen to know,
With the right board
You'll never be bored.
If you get good you'll turn on a dime
A board of that size will outlast my rhyme!


The mushiness of the mid coast will be ok for a board that size as will you!

[Papa0087]

Jaffa I think you rhyme has almost sold me. Nice one.
It seems that the consensus here is that the 9'0 has major advantages over the 8'6?
I kind of thought that there wouldn't be much of a difference between the two.
I was just a little worried not to get something too big to turn as a beginner.
I've got soft racks for my car, so transporting a 9'0 shouldn't be a problem.

[jaffa1949]

No wukkas

[dtc]

I don't know the 9ft has major advantages over 8'6; but I can't see that the 8'6 offers anything the 9ft doesn't have ie you won't get any benefits in going shorter and some benefits in going longer.