Need Advice On Which Board to Buy

[mikeg]

If you guys could please give me some direction on what type of board I should buy. I am looking for a board that I can catch many waves with here in the Delray Beach area. I can get up and go down the line but that's about it. I have only been surfing for about a year. I have a 6'3 Light Wave squash but I don't float on it well (finally came to terms that the board is not for me). I am 6'0 190 and am 24. I went to a few local surf shops and asked what they thought. A few said a 5'10 Fish would be the perfect board with my skill/size. The other place said I should go a little bigger like a 7'4 board.

What would you recommend for my skill level and wants? Thanks in advance for your advice. I will monitor closely as I'm looking to buy in the next week or two.

[DTK]

OK, Mick, I'd agree with shop #2's advise based on 1 year of in-da-water experience... 7'2" - 7'6" funshape. Maybe p/u aused fish as your 2nd board as you become more comfortable in the water. Good Luck. DK

[sinnid8472]

How well can you catch the wave? Late drop,s Paddleing super hard, Personelly I would start with a 9'4" to 9'6" 22-1/2 /+, 2 3/4 to 3 1/4 thick,it will float you paddle easy. Leard to ride a long board first and learn control and you can slowly step down to smaller boards, . Possibly rent a longboard or funboard an hour before you commit lots of money on something you get frustrated triyng to ride.Craiglist has many sizes to choose. This time of year we get waves, Most of florida waves are 3'6 of smaller.You can ride a longboard all year.

[GoodVibes]

OK, Mick, I'd agree with shop #2's advise based on 1 year of in-da-water experience... 7'2" - 7'6" funshape. Maybe p/u aused fish as your 2nd board as you become more comfortable in the water. Good Luck. DK

Agreed,Go with at least a 7'2.Once you got that down pat,you can always sell that board and put it towards another one. I've put boards on consignment a few times and have done quite well.Learn the basics first on a larger board and take it from there. GL

[Kahuna Kai]

I agree with Sinnid8472. I have been surfing for over ten years now, and I started on a 10' singlefin which I still have today. A longboard is a must for any Florida surfer's quiver and will enable you to ride waves on even the smallest days. As far as the fish, I personally would wait until you start dialing in the longboard before stepping dow to a 5'10" fish. I am 6-6 260 and ride a 6'10" fish that was made by a local shaper here in Jax, and I love it, but think that it is a board that requires some skill to enjoy, and I would have been frustrated trying to surf it as a beginner.

Craigslist is AWESOME for purchasing boards. I have had the pleasure of trying out dozens of different sizes and shapes with little to no risk. You buy for $200 or less, if you like it great, if not, sell it for the same price and lose nothing.

In short, buy a log, keep it forever and you won't regret it. When your skills ramp up, start going smaller. There is nothing more frustrating than surfing the wrong equipment. Whatever you do, make sure you err on the side of more rather than less foam. As a beginner, who gives a sh*t how cool you look to chicks while carrying your boar up the beach?

My 2 cents,
Kahuna

[monoman]

I agree with Sinnid8472. I have been surfing for over ten years now, and I started on a 10' singlefin which I still have today. A longboard is a must for any Florida surfer's quiver and will enable you to ride waves on even the smallest days. As far as the fish, I personally would wait until you start dialing in the longboard before stepping dow to a 5'10" fish. I am 6-6 260 and ride a 6'10" fish that was made by a local shaper here in Jax, and I love it, but think that it is a board that requires some skill to enjoy, and I would have been frustrated trying to surf it as a beginner.

Craigslist is AWESOME for purchasing boards. I have had the pleasure of trying out dozens of different sizes and shapes with little to no risk. You buy for $200 or less, if you like it great, if not, sell it for the same price and lose nothing.

In short, buy a log, keep it forever and you won't regret it. When your skills ramp up, start going smaller. There is nothing more frustrating than surfing the wrong equipment. Whatever you do, make sure you err on the side of more rather than less foam. As a beginner, who gives a sh*t how cool you look to chicks while carrying your boar up the beach?

My 2 cents,
Kahuna

This is the best advice. Like it or not a longboard will get you more surf days in south FL.