Newcomer! Brand of board?

[KODK]

Just got back from Hawaii and Surfed for first time, well I'm absolutely hooked! I Was wondering if I could get some suggestions on what Brand board I should get? The only thing I think I know so far is that I should start with a Longboard! Please if anyone could suggest a Brand or even an exact Board I should get? Thank You

[jaffa1949]

Back from Hawaii to where? Weight, height, age and gender help us to help you.
The forum is pretty much world wide so there is home ground advice too.
Welcome and see if we can help if you are more specific

[KODK]

Back to NY(Long Island)!! Male/31 5'10" 220lbs
The Board I used in HI was 9'0" and felt good, the other dimensions of the board I'm not sure of!! The board I'm looking at is the Surftech McTavish Original. Let Me know what You think of that board and any other suggestions? Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it!

[Jester]

Hey Kodk! How was Hawaii? I'd love to go what kind of waves did you ride on and what is your local break like in long island??

[Surf Hound]

McTavish makes a good board, used to have one. The brand of board is not as important as the type, dimensions etc. Best bet is to go to your local surf shop and tell them what you want to do and where you are surfing. Most of the time you will receive solid advice, good enough to get you up and riding for sure. Warning- don't let a 130lb kid tell you that a shortie is the way to go - stay long my friend, stay long.

[LBJimbo]

Since you didn't say if you rented a board or not, I would think that you were in Waikiki surfing Canoes or Queens and renting the boards from that location. Reminder that those broads are meant to be big (thick and wide) so that the tourists can easily paddle and stand up on them. Don't know if they still "promise" that you will catch a wave and stand up. The combination of the board and the rolling wave make it fun and easy to learn; just what people on vacation want. Now I may be wrong, but you probably won't find that type of board in your local surf shop. Do some talking, see what others are riding and go see that local shaper. Getting the right board that helps you to catch waves is very important. And at 220, you would definitely be on the higher end weight where I surf (even though that is still smaller than me 6'5/250) and probably where you surf too. Bottom line. Don't rush into buying a board. Maybe a shop has some you can borrow and test out.

Aloha.

[dtc]

yeah, size is more important than brand - surf boards are made by either multi nationals (there are maybe 10 or so, with sub brands) and then 1000s of smaller makers who might only sell in their local regions or make a 100 boards a year. The smaller guys can be as good if not better than the bigs; so a particular brand is neither here nor there.

That said, McTavish make some good boards. If you are surfing mainly beach waves, then the Original is a good choice. If you are surfing more points or fatter waves, then his Cruiser is maybe better; but for a beginner it probably doesn't matter much one way or the other anyway.

You probably should look at something around 9ft - 9ft6, 22 1/2 inches wide or wider and 2 3/4 thick or thicker. Given you are a larger guy, a thicker board (3inch plus) is probably worth trying to find. The Mctavish's are pretty much in this range; there are plenty of others.

Other options probably available around your way are the Walden mega - magic or the NSP longboard. Both made by one of the big companies

Of course, a good second hand board is a perfect first board

[Jamiemead]

Hi I recommend a roger cooper 8 footer I'm 13 stone and was using a 7'6 board but I was a tad to heavy so brought this 8 footer it made all the difference 8 by 22 by 3, love it awesome board

[Surftone]

How tall are you? What do you weigh? How old are you? Male or female and how often do you plan to surf?

[Jamie61]

Hi I recommend roger cooper longboards look on e bay he put one a week on there, they usually go for about 260 fantastic stable board.