Help Please =) ??????????

Question

Ok heres the dealio. I've been skateboarding for some time now and ive decided it got kinda boring, so now im moving to surfing. This SPORT LOOKS AMAZING, i cant wait ti learn. I've already started looking at training dvds but one thing they dont explain is what type of board to get. Now if ur a skater you know the difference between a "Wal-mart" board and a pro board. There are also top brands in skateboarding and not so top brands. Can someone give me some brands of good surfboards? Idk if this helps but im slim/athletic build at about 6'0. SHould i look for certain board dimensions for my size and also because I'm a beginnner? SHould my board be wide? long? short? skinny? Any suggestions? So yea i just need some good brands and maybe an estimate on board dimensions i should get for a beginner. Please I need to know, summer is startin soon, i want to be able to be an OK surfer by August. Man thanx a lot dudes and gals =)

Answer 1

1. LOSE THE SCHEDULE OR YOU WILL NEVER BE A SURFER. ITS NOT A HOBBY THAT IS CONVENIENT AND CAN BE COMPLETED LIKE A MODEL HELICOPTER.

2. Never, ever get a funboard . . . Unless of coarse, you like being ridiculed, snaked (dropped in on), and possible beat up. With your size, go for a 6'6" or 6'8". It'll be hard but once you learn on that you'll thank me. As your skill progresses, you'll eventually work down to a 6'2"

3. Know about surfing. For example, the summer is the worst season for surfing in the US area. Flat spells are pretty much hell. If your in a cold area, just get a full suite and tough it out in the winter, when the best swells are.

4. Surfing is a lifestyle, YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT IF YOU WANT TO BE A SURFER.

5. Finally, never expect anything out of surfing as you go into it. That will come, but you can never expect the rewards. Or else you be another friggin' kook-poser-loser who deserves to hit the reef at Pipe

Answer 2

Unlike skating there are only a few nationally marketed surfboard brands. Boards tend to be shaped locally, which is good since the shaper will know what works best for the local conditions. Go to a good reputable surf shop and have them help you pick a board. Don't be fooled into thinking that you are going to pick up some 5"10" thruster and be hucking airs by August. Start long and wide, it is nowhere near as easy to pick up as skating (when did your skate board ever flip over on you while you were just standing on it). You also never had to be able to "read" the street or try to catch a hill.

It's a whole different world but SOOO worth it to learn.

Answer 3

For your first time you should get a 7'0 gun most guns are about 2 and a half inch thick and about 17 inch wide.This size board will help you get use to getting up on the board on a wave. It should be fairly easy for you to learn to have balance on a wave but of course still need to learn. I think you are more of a short boarder so after you get to learn more about riding a wave with the 7'0 gun, I think you should move to a 6'4, 2 inch thick and 15 inch wide board. Make sure both boards are made by the great Gerry Lopez who is the best at making boards out there hands down. Plus he does custom boards as well but that would be some junk of change.

Answer 4

Get like an 8'6" - 9'0" funboard...if you wanna transition to a shorter board you may want to look into a hybrid...like 7'0" to 7'8" that has more of a shortboard feel than a bigger board. sharper nose and rails and usually a tri fin setup on roundpin or squarepin tail. thats what i would do if you decide to go shortboard once you have learned the fundamentals of the beginner setup.

Answer 5

Go to your local shop. They can help you find a great board for your body type and skill level within your budget. They can also answer your questions right away.

Additionally, About.com lays it all out for you:

http://surfing.about.com/cs/surfinstruction/a/0720032.htm

Answer 6

go to your local surf shop and get a board, the guys there will guide you through getting a board