grom board advice

[cresto4]

My son who's 9 years old (4'11" and 80 pounds) is ready to stand up. He got some decent rides this past summer (nothing like seeing the stoke on your son's face!) on a 7' pos rental but there's no way I'm gonna buy him one of those. I got a deal on a (used) board that I thought would work for him (Biolos Mayhem 5'2" x 15 x 1 5/8) but he's been struggling on it and isn't quite ready for it yet. I don't want to put him off by having him struggle too much. He obviously needs something with more volume that will paddle better and let him get his confidence up. Any advice? Especially from any groms out there who may have been his size/age in the not so distant past? Much appreciated.

[HaoleNJ]

I see a lot of groms at my local beach riding fish type boards. Both like a Lost RNF or even a twin fin. Both can be found pretty short but still have a lot of volume.

[rockajet]

I'm trying to get my girlfriends 12 yo into it, so we sent her to a few surf camps this year. I think your on the right track as far as more volume. More volume neans better paddling to catch more waves and more stability to get to his feet. They are putting kids his size on fun board shapes, 7-7 1/2 x ~22" x ~2 1/2" thick. Try Craigs list. I've had some good luck buying and selling board on there. Good Luck!

[GnarActually]

When i was his exact age and exact height and weight, i got my first board. a 5'9 x 19 x 2 1/4 Cannible round nose....much like the RNF. i think thats your best bet. its short which all groms want, but theres still that volume there and its easy to balance on which is crucial for any early grom.

[ND081]

go to ron john surf shop in LBI and get him a funboard/funfish shape. probably around 6'2"-6'8"

[Recycled Surfer]

I got my daughter a fish when she was 9 (on the small side for her age) and she had a tough time progressing and got banged up a bit which made her a little apprehensive. After taking the advice of a few friends I bought her a used 7' soft top which she loved. It took the fear away about getting hurt or cut on the fins. After a month or so on it I got her to switch back to the fish which she pick up in no time. She mainly rides the fish because its "Cool" with her friends - shes now 11 - but she still won't let me get rid of the softy.

[S2Kreative]

Both can be found pretty short but still have a lot of volume.

Thats what she said?

[SquanShredder]

go with an nsp around 6'0 or a 5'8 fish thats got VOLUME

[cornholio]

I'd say go with a nice 7'10" x 17' 5/6" x 3" pintail burn. He (your son) is going to want the extra inches. Burn has some perfect shapes for everybody out there! Good stuff Mike Baron!!!

[34thStreetSurfing]

go to ron john surf shop in LBI and get him a funboard/funfish shape. probably around 6'2"-6'8"

if you wanna pay a billion dollars for a board