Buying my first surfboard and need some advice. I'm 6'3", 180 lbs, 55 years old (going on 25) and in great shape. I'm trying to figure out the best size for me. Seems that a 9'6" x 23 x 3" board is about right and I think I can go longer without any problems but I'm wondering about shorter. What about an ~ 8' board that's a little thicker? Pros & cons? I'm going to be learning at Doheny and San O and I want to be able to catch waves without paddling my ass off but I'd also like a board that I can enjoy surfing as my skills increase. Any recos on size and brands/models would be appreciated. I'm looking at used 8'4", 9'6" and 10' Infinitys and I know a guy who wants to trade me his 9'2": Takayama for one of my surf kayaks. I know these are beautiful boards and I'm really tempted but I'm not sure that this is OK for a beginner. Any help, advice & guidance appreciated. Thanks.
I would probably go no less then a 8'6 at 6"3 for just starting out.Usually starting out you can't go no wrong going bigger.Chances are if you get into you will get another board down the road and it will be a smaller board as you progress.
If the Tak is not a surf tech I would grab it . If not I would either Go with anything from a 9'0 to a 9'6 depends on what kinda longobarding you wanna do . I have a 9'6 Bing NR2 and its my go to board. It good from Knee to OH surf noserides awsome and has a glide feel buy you can swing it on a dime if you want
As that you are just starting out the more length and volume the better, since you already know that your ahead of the curve. I'm about the same size as you (6 2" 175-180) a 9 0"-9 6" is the way to go like Matt said. My first longboard I bought when I was living in Southern California was a Harbour HP1 model. Rich Harbour has been shaping since 1959 out of Seal Beach. He has every type of model for what ever style you want to surf. The High Performance Single Fin really does it all, to bad I'm back in NJ because I am ready to part with mine and is in great condition. I went with a 9 2" and catching waves was effortless. It depends on what you budget is but I also highly recommend Bing's also, which is what I'm riding now. A last bit of advice, I bought my first longboard with 10+ years of borrowing other peoples single fins, It might be a little tricky learning on a longboard with 50/50 egg rails opposed to one that has 60/40 (which is what the HP1 has) Good luck!
Yea, I was living in Pacific Beach from 01'-04' but just couldn't find a good paying job so I packed up and headed back. I moved to the Margate/Ventnor area in 05'. As luck would have it Murphy got me and fell into working as a merchant mariner which pays well, has a 21 or 28 day on/off schedule and I can live anywhere in the country. You gotta love it.
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