I Am Going To Start To Learn How To Surf I Am 153lbs 5,8 Please Tell What Size Board Would Be Good For Me?
Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Let’s try to keep it real. You are getting way ahead of yourself with some of these questions. Surfing is an ocean sport, that should only be practiced by persons who are already competent ocean swimmers. Swimming in a pool is neat, but it’s not ocean swimming, with undertows, rip tides and sometimes BIG waves. I have seen lots of great pool swimmers get rescued. So, my first tip on how to surf is to be at home in the ocean. It doesn’t matter how fast you can swim in a pool or run on a track, it matters how well can you swim in a rip current in overhead waves.There are way too many dangerous people in the water now. They are a danger to themselves and other surfers, don’t join their ranks.
Lessons are the best way to start. Lessons can come from a professional instructor, or surfing family members. You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up don’t want to drown you), how to paddle and take off on a wave, and how to ride a wave. The last thing experienced surfers want is for inexperienced people to just grab a board, rush into the surf and get in our way.
Lessons shorten the learning curve significantly. And they help keep ignorant, un-prepared kooks out of the water and out of the way of more experienced surfers. Lessons can come from friends or family members who surf. I taught my kids and grandkids and a bunch of nieces and nephews.
Beginners should take advantage of renting boards and wetsuits while taking lessons. If it turns out you don’t like surfing, you haven’t wasted a whole lot of money on gear that you are not going to use. When you are ready to buy, don’t waste your time on line, go to a good local surf shop to discuss your size (weight is import, height isn’t), skill level and local wave conditions. And if possible, avoid popouts, and boards made in sweat shops in China (like NSP), unless that’s just all you can afford. And don’t forget, there are always used boards for sale in every surf shop. After almost 43 years of surfing, I still get my surfboard buying advice at good local shops in the places where I surf.
NOBODY on line can tell you the exact size/style board you should ride. Anybody who tries to tell you so is a fool. Anybody who listens to hat advice is a bigger fool. get lessosn, then let the folks in a shop where you surf get you set up.
Category: Learn to Surf
Tags: 153lbs, Board, Going, Learn, Please, Size, Start, Surf, Tell, What
February 14th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
well as you learn how to surf you need a board that is generously bigger than you. a board that is anywhere near 8 feet would be good, but dont go past 7′6. and make sure its at least 3 inches thick. look at bic surfboards that is what everyone i know learned on and that they still use today, they last forever too
February 14th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Depends on the waves you’re riding.. I’m only a little bigger than you and I ride a 6′4. But if you surf somewhere that has shitty waves 75% of the time you should start with something bigger like 8′…It will be a lot easier to learn on too
February 14th, 2010 at 8:17 pm
You should always start on a long board.
I would suggest going to your local surf shop and talking with someone who works there. Just explain your situation like you phrased the question.
February 14th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
You have got to go talk to the guys at a local surf shop. You won’t get sound advice on which board to buy online.
The Surfboard Manhttp://www.thesurfboardman.com/
February 15th, 2010 at 12:06 am
get lessons.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:38 am
Go to your local surf shop and talk to the guys there
February 15th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Try a board between 7 and nine feet
February 15th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
6′ baby squash, soft thru the mid – hard thru the tail. holler