Surfing or body board?

Hi,ive just started surfing and i've underestimated it a lot.now im taking it more seriously and took a lesson?

• hi, ive just started surfing and i've underestimated it a lot.now im taking it more seriously and took a short lesson to make sure im on the right track. ive done my research on surfing and how ocean works and improved my body and endurance. i fell in love with surfing instantly and im planning to stay near the beach for a month with good swell for beginners and also advance surfers. i would be surfing everyday in my stay near the beach and can any of you guys give me any tips on how to improve my surfing and when will i know if im ready for the better swells, not the white wash where im still practicing on. im trying to understand the ocean more and have a lot of respect for it, ive learned that theres much more to it then just grabbing a board and go. im just going to use my dads old board, which is fiber glass and its not heavy like the board beginners use. is it ok? its about 6'10-7ft and im worried i wont be able to stand up since its way lighter then the board i used before.

• Answer:

  Well, it's good that you took 'A' lesson. But one lesson may not necessarily be enough. Lessons are the best way to start. Lessons can come from a professional instructor, or surfing family members or experienced surfing friends. 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. 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. What it really comes down to, is that you need aboard that floats you well enough AT YOUR PRESENT SKILL LEVEL to paddle and take off on a wave. I don't know how big you are, but I really doubt that you are ready for a 6'10" board. 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 44 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice from good local shops in the places where i surf. The more you surf, the better you get. I really like your attitude. Read some the questions and answers on thi site, and you'll understand what I mean. take a couple more lessons, rent a nice big floaty long board and you are half way there. Good luck and have FUN!