Getting back into it

[rockajet]

I'm just getting back into surfing after about a 25 yr. layoff. I'm thinking a long board is the way to go. I weigh about 210 and am pretty athletic for a 53 year old. I'm looking for some thing that is easy to paddle and catch these small sloppy waves here in Va Beach. For now I'll be happy to just cruise down the face until I get my feet back under me. If things go well maybe next year I might consider another more performance orientated board. Any suggestions on length, thickness, width, shapes or even particular brands and models. Thanks and I promise not to clog up the lineup!

[Huck]

Welcome back to surfing, Rockajet. I'm 44 and took it up again about four years ago after a 25 year hiatus as well. I would definitely start with a long board. I started (or re-started) with a 9 foot Robert August design board- I'd say stick with something 8.5 feet long or more, and decently wide as well. Surfed on that board for my first couple of seaons, and last season I bought an 8 foot 7S Superfish XL, which is a great step-up board for bigger guys (I'm around 195). It performs as advertised in that it paddles like a longboard but turns more like a short board. All that said, i'd start with a classic longboard- don't torture yourself at the outset, and it's pretty easy to swap into a higher-performing board once you've got your legs back.

And most important- have fun. Rediscovering surfing has been by far the most fun thing I've done in the past four years- enriching in about a dozen different ways. I'm in the process now of teaching my 7-year-old twins to surf, and have even gotten my wife out for a couple of sessions on my old long board. One other random piece of advice- if you can, surf in the mornings and evenings when the lifeguards aren't there and the line-up isn't crowded. You won't have to worry about being in anyone's way, and if VA beach is anything like the Southern NJ shore, you will see the most amazing sea life- dolphin, osprey, rays, pelicans (yes, rays and pelicans in NJ). You're in for a lot of fun.

[Northender]

Have frierson shape you a stick, hes a local shaper in virginia beach. He shaped my dads surfboards when he was gowing up and he just shaped me last winter. Great local guy to help you get back into it.

[rockajet]

You know, I'd forgotten him. Actually, I used to share the waves with him in the early 70's down in Hatteras. Thanks for the reminder that he is still shaping boards. Take Care!

[rockajet]

Hey Huck,
Thanks for the advice. It sounds like we are of like mind. I, too, try to get out early when no one else is around. I was inspired to get out again when my girfriend's 11 year old daughter said, "you used to surf?". So I bought her a softy and I borrowed a friends stick and now I'm back into it. I may never be as good as I once was, but I'll always feel as young! Stay wet!!

[MATT JOHNSON]

I would get something 9'0- 9'6 23 wide by 3 1/8 thick. You will still be able to catch anything from knee high to over head (if you wanna) and you wont have a hard time paddling or have manuverbilty issues as well. Get something with a single fins aswell 10- 11 inch fin will give you drive and the flex will make turning easy .

There are plenty of Shapers on the Eastcoast that can make you a sick longboard for a decent price. depending on how what u want it could cost you anywhere from 700 to 2000 for something new. But there are plenty of nice used boards out there too

Wecome back

[Koki Barrels]

I may never be as good as I once was, but I'll always feel as young!

Ain't that the truth, it's amazing how spending time out there and catching some rides really does make you feel young again...good luck with finding a board and here's to you finding that inner kid in yourself, rockajet...shred it up, young man!

[Ray F.]

If you're just getting back into it, get a used board. Check craigslist. At the moment, there's a WRV 8'6" x 23" with a 2+1 set up. I'm of no affiliation and I'm not suggesting you should get this specific board. I am suggesting your first (again) board resemble this design and definately be no smaller than this.

Some would disagree, but I would go 9'6" to 10'0". I'm 41 and bounce between 205 and 215 lbs...sometimes a tad more...and I find VA's exceptionally weak waves leaving me in want of every advantage I can get.

[GoodVibes]

I'm just getting back into surfing after about a 25 yr. layoff. I'm thinking a long board is the way to go. I weigh about 210 and am pretty athletic for a 53 year old. I'm looking for some thing that is easy to paddle and catch these small sloppy waves here in Va Beach. For now I'll be happy to just cruise down the face until I get my feet back under me. If things go well maybe next year I might consider another more performance orientated board. Any suggestions on length, thickness, width, shapes or even particular brands and models. Thanks and I promise not to clog up the lineup!

If your going used you can go to boardhunt.com are you might laugh but try garage sales by shore towns.If new I love my CI Waterhog.Its 8'6

[Recycled Surfer]

I would start by looking for a USED 9'6" to 10' board 23.5 to 24 wide and at least 3.25 thick preferably 3.5 thick. Flotation is your friend. You need to build confidence and catching lots of waves does that. Poly or epoxy is your choice. Get a board with some rocker (not flat) to help prevent pearling. My friends father got back in at 60 weighing close to 220. He started with a used NSP 10.2 - surfed it for a year and steped up to a 9.6 Walden Magic model and he looks like he never stopped surfing. He still has the 10.2 for smaller days. Pretty cool your coming back - good luck.