got my first board, have a few questions

what is your height weight and surfing ability .

 

Balance isn't the issue... more about timing the waves, catching them, and standing them... I am sure you would do fine staying on a board balance-wise.

That board may be a little short. I had a few buddies who were really good skaters and snowboarders, but bobbed around in the ocean like a cork on a 6'4" board not being able to catch anything. The guy I am thinking of specifically was a lot bigger than you though at like 6'3" and 200.

This may be a better board for long term, but your rides over the trip may be limited unless you get a short longboard or some kind of funboard.

 

especially in florida... I am from NY, but i go to florida frequently (West Palm area) and I have a 6' 1" that I rarely use because its flat (Moreso, in late spring like April than in the winter). I usually end up just riding my log on ankle high waves if I am lucky

 

That is probably preferred in waist and higher waves. Normal FL waves are under waist high. I suggest finding a fun shape. It has some of the float you find in a log, but can turn fairly well. It also helps you get used to shorter boards. I can catch anything from ankle to waist high with my 7'4" fun shape.

 

when you go to sebastian inlet, make sure you paddle out to the main peak and introduce yourself to everyone. it's common courtesy when visiting a break.

 

First off i agree with all these guys ^ borrow or rent a funshape, prob like a 7foot something, super floaty easier to catch waves, once you get the hang of it, might take a little while. Some excel faster than others, i got thrown on to a short board first and it was a little discouraging at first but i was a little 12 year old and didnt give a **** when people saw me eating it.
HOWEVER, i would say if you dig it the first few days on the funshape, dont be scared to try out the board you got.though it will likely be a little tuff at first . Lastly try to go out when its kinda empty the first few times so you can get your **** together and nobody gets pissy that youre in their way.
Have fun good luck

 

Not a good choice for a board to learn on!

 

I live in the North Palm Area....find myself using my 6'10 funshape more than any other boards...lots of mush here in FL bud.

Unless there's a good hurricane swell, the shorties don't get a ton of use.

 

A misconception is that surfing is like skateboarding and snowboarding, or that the basics of it can be learned fairly well in a day, as they can be with those sports. This is a wrong assumption. But good luck.

 

Don't forget to sit as close to other people as you can, touching is preferred. The locals are really friendly, touchy-feely people.

 

Holding hands helps prevent drift in the lineup.

 

Super friendly crowd at the Inlet, staying as close to the jetty as you can will show them respect and they'll welcome you into the lineup with open arms.

 

I learned on a 6'0 from the 70s (thing was probably 3" thick). What everyone's saying is right. It's a gonna be a b*tch to learn to surf on that thing, although it's a really nice board. If you're really committed to surfing then it's gonna be a good board to have in the future, but you might want to consider grabbing a fun shape for the time being. Since you've already dropped the cash you might as well try it out in FL but know that it's not gonna be easy or that much fun for the first couple of months, regardless of your skill with other board sports. Balance is only important once you've learned to catch waves, and unless you're exceptionally fit, catching waves is going to be tough at first. Despite all the wise guys, there's some really good info in the forum. Search through the older threads and you'll find plenty of info on surfing basics. Just starting out though, you might be better served just doing a bunch of push ups and pull ups before your trip

 

In all seriousness, try to rent or demo a Firewire Sweet Potato if you don't want to lug around something 7' long but have similar stability and wave-catching ability.

Don't actually surf IN the inlet, unless you are down with noodling Black-Tips and Bull Sharks.

 

Cole, there are just as many sharks surfing the web as sharks in the surf.... Erock... you of all people!!!!