What size surfboard should I get?

What size surfboard should i get?

• Im 5'9, athletic, can swim good, and has been skating competitively for about 8 years. And has been bodyboarding for about 6 years.... What size surfboard should i get? I'm dying to surf

• Answer:

  The best surfboard for someone who wants to learn to surf is one rented from your surfing instructor. Seriously, this question gets asked a lot, and the answer is always the same, so forgive me if I "cut and paste" it from the last time. There are several significant differences between surfing and skating. First of all, you don't have to paddle up hill to be able to skate back down. Most of surfing is actually spent paddling, not standing up riding a wave. You have tp paddle out through the surf to the line-up, then paddle to catch a wave, then paddle back out again after your ride. Secondly, the topography of the sidewalk may change, but it does not move.. Waves move. Lessons are the best way to start. Lessons can come from a professional instructor, or surfing family members or experienced surfing friends. Professional lessons are NOT that expensive, and they are a wise investment.You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don't want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave. The last thing experienced surfers want is for inexperienced people to just grab a board, rush into the surf and get in our way. Lessons shorten the learning curve significantly. And they help keep ignorant, un-prepared kooks out of the water and out of the way of more experienced surfers. Don't even think about buying your own surfboard, yet. A surfboard is a big investment. Beginners should take advantage of renting boards and wetsuits while taking lessons. If it turns out you don't like surfing, you haven't wasted a whole lot of money on gear that you are not going to use. When you are ready to buy, don't waste your time on line, go to a good local surf shop to discuss your size (weight is import, height isn't), skill level and local wave conditions. After 46 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice from good local shops in the places where I surf. A surf shop is also the best place to find information on instructors. Almost ALL instructors will start you off on a longboard. It is just too difficult for most people to learn how to surf on a short board. Most get quickly discouraged, and just quit. Now, over the years, I have seen some young surfers start out on short boards and master them in time. There are no RULES on what kind of board you learn on, but it's just common sense to learn on a long board. And, I know there are lots of nice kids who want to share information with you on line. But don't take the advice from youngsters, who may know even less than you do about surfing, a surfboard is a big investment. I hope you are mature enough to read through the BS that lots of people throw at you on line. So, I would be very careful about who's advice you take. Good luck with surfing. I started when I was 14, that was in 1966. As you can see, I have been surfing for a while, and it has given me a lifetime of fun. It will for you too, if you take the time to learn the right way. With good ocean skills, some good lessons and a lot of patience, you can do it. Just remember, it is not as easy as it looks from the beach.