buying my first surfboard

[greyeyes]

I will be moving to California soon and I'm getting everything worked out. I just recently took a short vacation out there to check on places to live and that sort of thing. I just so happened to go to the beach with a rented hardboard longboard and pretty much fell in love with that sport (took me three days to stand up but I still loved it). Very soon now will be my twenty first birthday and my parents said that they would buy me a board (damn those things are expensive). Does anyone here surf and can anyone give me some advice on buying my first longboard? I am 155 pounds 5'11'' if that helps any. Honestly I have no idea what I am doing but I do know that I want a longboard. I'm not sure what brand of board is good, though I was searching the net and found a board by Rusty called the Ted Robinson. It seems like it would be perfect but I dont know if that is right. Could you guys help me out? Also I have been riding a longboard skateboard for a few years now so I am a little better than the average person that is new to surfing.

[Mondak]

Can you get your parents to give you a rain check on the new board? If so, what I would recomend is that you buy a used board that is somewhat thick and stable to learn on. You will save a bunch of money, learn how to surf, but most importantly, you will have some idea of what you are looking for in a board.

Choosing a board that is right for you is a fairly personal experience. Even though you know your height and weight, the place / type of waves / break you surf most differ from others. In addition, just where your "center" is on a board is going to vary even from someone of the same dimensions.

If you ride an older used board for a while, you will have a better idea of what you like and dislike about it and can therefor know what to look for when you plop down the dough for the freshie. Plus, the board you want to ride as a beginner (thicker, more stable, less manuverable) is not likely the board you want to ride forever.

If you are set on plopping down the $800 for the new board, I would say that you should buy one that is made out of a material like SURFTECH. It is fairly indestructable (normal surfboards ding / crack / damage VERY easily) it is light and manuverable even though it can still be stable and hopefully something that will allow you to learn while you still have a board you can use Long term. Maybe something like a Takayama, which a lot of people love.

If you are moving anywhere in San Diego county, you should buy from HANSEN'S in Encinitas. If you ask for Ken (he is in charge of all hard goods), you will get a guy who will spend as much time with you as you need, educate you on your options and not make you spend more than you want to or "upsell" you to something that you don't need. I have known Ken for 8 years and trust him. I will say that Hansen's is a very busy store. You can't expect to go in on a Saturday morning and get that kind of personal service. Take some time and go in on a weekday morning - say 10:30 or so. Call in and set it up with him in advance maybe. You will be very glad you did.

Tell Dan H. told you to call. He will treat you right.

[greyeyes]

Thanks for the Info man. extremely useful!

[agball]

I would definitely agree with Mondak. I grew up surfing the "huge waves on the South Shore of Long Island" LOL!! Don't blow your wad on some good looking new board that might not be right for you. Happy hunting.

[cchris]

Mondak's spot on the money with getting an older type board first and then feeling your way around.

Getting dumped and headbutting the sand with a mouthfull of water is best done on the cheap when first starting.

[greyeyes]

how would one know what the average or correct length for a person considering a longboard is?

[da kine]

9'0" is the shortest length to be considered a "longboard," although length alone is not the only determinant. For example, there are 7'6" mini longboards, which have a similar outline to a "longboard" and there are 9'+ "guns" which have very different dimensions from a "longboard."

At 5'11" and 155 lbs and your age and experience (you say you skateboard), I'd recommend you look for something in the 9'0" - 9'4" range.

A longer board, like a 10'0", would probably also be wider and thicker. These factors would contribute to making the board more stable (and easier to stand up on), paddle faster, and surf straighter. But, as your skill progresses, you'd probably find the increased length (and related dimensions) to be more of a liability.

A skilled longboarder can perform progressive shortboard moves (like snaps, cutbacks, and floaters) and still showcase classic longboard styles (like switching stance, dropping knee, nose riding, and carving). I'm 5'9" and 145 lb and surf a 9'0". As you get better, you'll see there are many different dimensions and features on the board which affect the board's performance, of which length is only one factor.

For example, the nose width, tail width, type of tail, number and placement of the fins, size of fins, nose rocker, tail rocker, bottom contour, thickness, weight, rail types, outline, and balance, ... You get the idea.

I agree with the others. Get a used board, then another, then a third. Surf as many boards as possible. Then get a shaper and start working with him. You'll be better equipped to honestly describe your abilities and what you want your board to do.

Lastly, the only guys I see surfing 10' to 11' boards are the "old-timers" and the 250+ lb guys.

[greyeyes]

Thanks for the tips man, I will definately be able to use this info!!