New to surfing

there's innerlight surf shop, too. Both Waterboys and innerlight have their own (less expensive) in-house board brand, but I'm guessing waterboys might be the least exp because they're smaller...might wanna check both to capitalize on any deals.

once you get your board, be sure to start checking the reports for Dauphin Island, Alabama. Granted, Pensacola is the most consistent area in the panhandle, but you could shave up to an hour from your drive if DI is working...and skip some of the crowd pcola gets.

 

I traded my roommate a couch for it. A twin fin by Don Smith of Hawaii. All you could see of me was my head when sitting in the line up. Went to a 7'2" after that. it was those old kung fu movies where they tie heavy crap to the students, and after they're taken off the guy whoops arse.

 

When I was a kid, I went to New Orleans to work for a while, and I brought my surfboard with me just in case I could score some Gulf waves. I lived in an apartment complex that had a lake and I paddled the board across the lake due to surfsickness, and when I got to the other side 2 hot babes took me into a hot tub. That's why they call it the Big Easy! Best food in the entire universe, but alas, no waves.

 

well, there's Grand Isle, but it's really fickle...plus, it's about as far as pcola

 

Exactly. So...what's market price on a Hindu this week?

 

Take your pick:

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...F5A641FECDD59EB860EE898500234&selectedIndex=2

 

Don't know your age or athleticism, but to learn relatively quickly at a minimum:

7'-6" Egg. Epoxy if possible, for more float and so it lasts longer.

Surfysurfy.net and iconsofsurf.com ship nationwide.

If you're older, less fit and less flexible, a true longboard would be better until your fitness level improves. After all its all about paddling, timing and wave choice - not balance, in the beginning - so you're going to be paddling a lot more than surfing. Get used to it and get something you can paddle comfortably (and quickly)

Thank me later.

 

This is pretty much the only post I agree with in this thread. I haven't been surfing for very long so my memory is very fresh when it comes to what is best to learn on. When I started I had a 7'6" funshape, and a low-end 10'2" log. I tried like hell with the funshape and rode a lot of good waves with it, but I found that I had WAY MORE FUN when I took out the log. I was able to catch every wave, and learning how to get down the line was no problem. Get the longest, widest, thickest longboard you can find...I promise it will be WAY MORE FUN than struggling with the 7'6". Start with craigslist for sure.

 

RHCP: I've only been at this for just a little over a year now, so I''m not really qualified to be giving much in the way of surfing guidance. But for me right now, it's still about wave count. Whatever it takes: scooter, tricycle, upside-down coffee table.
I rode a used and beat-up 8-4, very high volume beginner board for 11 months before attempting to transition down to 7-0. Perhaps too big a jump, but it was a high volume board as well. After 7 weeks (late Aug-mid October), going out at least 4X/week and catching only the occasional wave, I went back to my longer board. Surf conditions were generally not good when I went out on the 7-0, and maybe I didn't stick with it long enough; but I'm catching and riding waves again and having fun. For me at 58, that's what matters most. I'll be looking for a longboard during the next year. That's just me though.

 

Not trying to start trouble with you, Charles. I think a 7'6" Bic fun board is an ideal board to learn on. They are indestructible and catch waves like crazy. Then you can let a friend use it and not worry about it. I still bring out the Bic on dumpy shore break days. You can pick up a used rental board at a surf shop for cheap.

 

Show us your "DD'S"

 

OP says: I'm about 6 foot 2 in. tall and I weigh 180 pounds.

You really wanna see them?

 

I agree...
The Bic's are the shiznitz...I have the 7'8" and an NSP 8'2" for friends when they come into town. I can usually get even the least coordinated of my non-surfing peeps up on a wave in less than an hour if the conditions are right. To the OP, just go cheap on c-list!

 

daily drivers

 

You seem to be in good shape. If you are under 30 ( you are 25, right?), go for a 6'8" to 7" fish/shortboard hybrid. You will be able to duck dive it, turn it and eventually surf it in good waves. Anything bigger is a crutch. You can thank me later.

 

Thank me.................NOW!

 

you might need another car if you're gonna be lugging a surfboard around 300 miles, round trip. I suggest a pickup with a shell...that way you can also sleep in the back, if need be.