If you’re just learning to surf, the kind of board you use is second to learning the ins and outs of the sport, but once you’ve gotten a handle on the sport and the different ways boards ride on a wave, you will come to understand the art of choosing your perfect surfboard.
Many beginners learn how to surf on a long board, a board that is at least nine feet long. Any board longer than nine feet will be much easier to learn on because it will be much more comfortable to lie down on, much faster to paddle out to the break, and much easier to catch a wave. With time, practice, and patience, you will be standing up on your long board and catching waves in no time. At that point, you may consider a smaller board.
Let’s talk a bit more about the advantages of the long board. The factors that allow you to catch a wave are the size of the wave, the velocity of the wave, and the quality of your board. The key for beginners is to not get a board that is too short or too narrow. You will be much happier starting out on a long, wide board, as you will catch more waves and get more practice standing up. You’ll have far less inclination to lug a heavy board around with you, so find a board that is light enough to carry around. The thickness of the board doesn’t matter as much, but try to get a board that will fit comfortably under your arm or one that you can actually carry for at least two blocks.
As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want a board that seems discolored or overly worn or tired. You want a board that still has a little life in it and you shouldn’t be afraid to ding it up a bit. Beginners definitely shouldn’t buy new boards. The ideal situation for beginning surfers would be to borrow a board from a friend, buy a used board, or purchase a long-term (seasonal) rental. Don’t worry about buying something fancy. Just get something that will get you in the water, keep you coming back for more, and will stand the test of time.
Short-boarding beginners might prefer a “fish,” which tends to be short (about six to seven feet in length) and wide (about 20 inches). Fish-shaped boards provide a little more float for the rider, which is a help to beginning surfers. Fish-shaped boards may be a little harder to turn and duck dive, but they will help you get the feel of short boarding and provide enough confidence for you to continue learning. As is the case with beginner long boards, your beginner short board should also be newer (10 years old at most) and should not have dings, holes, bumps, or bruises.
If you have a decent budget, you could opt for the practically indestructible epoxy board. Epoxy boards, as opposed to cheaper fiberglass boards, last longer and are machine made. They’re good for beginners because they don’t ding as easily (and, as a beginner, you will find that your board is difficult to carry without bumping into things).
Finally, if you don’t feel completely comfortable on the board, don’t worry too much?you’ll get used to it. Get something decent enough to keep you paddling out for a year and trade up for a better, faster board when you’re ready.
About the Author:
Robb Bailey works for South Coast Surf Shops, San Diego’s premiere surfboard distributor and surf apparel dealer for more than 30 years. He has been inducted as a lifetime honorary member of his college surf club, the Cal Poly Surfer’s Association, and has traveled the world surfing for the past 11 years. Find out more about Robb at SouthCoast.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How to Choose the Right Surfboard
|
|
Tri Future Rusty Surfboard $735.99 |
|
|
6′3″ Surfboard EPS Epoxy Thruster Tri Fin Performance $275.00 |
|
|
FCS K3 Kelly Slater Performance Glass Surfboard Tri Fin $77.99 |
|
|
NEW FCS K-3 K3 PC Surf Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set $84.99 |
|
|
FCS GMB-5 TRI SURFBOARD 3 FIN SET PERF CORE – NEW FINS $69.99 |
|
|
FCS SF4 TRI – QUAD STRETCH SURFBOARD 5 FIN SET P. CORE $94.99 |
|
|
FCS KELLY SLATER K 2.1 TRI QUAD SURFBOARD 5 FIN SET PC $99.99 |
|
|
FCS TC AQUALINE SURFBOARD 5 FIN TRI – QUAD P. CORE NEW $94.99 |
|
|
FCS GMB-5 TRI-QUAD SURFBOARD 5 FIN SET PERF CORE – NEW $89.99 |
|
|
FCS TC AQUALINE SURFBOARD 3 FIN TRI SET P. CORE – NEW $69.99 |
|
|
NEW 5′10″ or 6′0″ Surfboard FCS Tri-Fin by TSTREET $315.00 |
|
|
Tri fin 7′2″ Al Merrick surfboard. It includes the bag $255.00 |
|
|
6′ 5″ Island Surfboard tri fin So. CA pick up only $49.95 |
|
|
walden surfboard 9′ 6″ tri fin . never used limited edt $995.00 |
|
|
NEW 5′3″Surfboard Grom FCS Fusion Tri-Fin by TSTREET $199.00 |
|
|
1918 Surf Board Riding Hawaii Tri-View HSSC #177 $22.50 |
|
|
FCS DHD-2 Performance Core Surfboard Tri Fin Set $73.99 |
|
|
FCS PC-3 Performance Core Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Red $66.99 |
|
|
FCS PC-5 Performance Core Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Blue $69.99 |
|
|
FUTURE FINS F3 425 surfboard tri fin surf NEW thruster $35.95 |
|
|
NSP Surf Series 8′7″ Epoxy Surfboard Tri Fin Longboard $349.99 |
|
|
MICHAEL BARON BYRNE 6′ 8″ SURFBOARD W/ TRI-FINS & LEASH $149.99 |
|
|
MICHAEL BARON BYRNE 6′ 6″ SURFBOARD W/ TRI-FINS & LEASH $149.99 |
|
|
RUSTY PREISENDORFER SURFBOARD SHORTBOARD SURF TRI FIN $9.99 |
|
|
Rare Vtg 80s Atomic Surf Board Tri Fin S. Reed 6′ 7″ $49.99 |
|
|
FCS KELLY SLATER K 2.1 TRI QUAD SURFBOARD 5 FIN SET PC $99.99 |
|
|
FCS SF4 TRI – QUAD STRETCH SURFBOARD 5 FIN SET P. CORE $94.99 |
|
|
FCS TC AQUALINE SURFBOARD 5 FIN TRI – QUAD P. CORE NEW $94.99 |
|
|
FCS GMB-5 TRI SURFBOARD 3 FIN SET PERF CORE – NEW FINS $69.99 |
|
|
FCS GMB-5 TRI-QUAD SURFBOARD 5 FIN SET PERF CORE – NEW $89.99 |
|
|
FUTURE F3 RTM TRI FIN SET surfboard thruster SMOKE new $63.95 |
|
|
1916 Surf Board Riding Hawaii Tri-View HSSC #177 $13.50 |
|
|
NEW FCS JS-1 JS1 Surfboard Tri Fin Thruster Set Smoke $73.99 |
|
|
FCS K3 Kelly Slater Performance Glass Surfboard Tri Fin $79.99 |
|
|
FCS TC AQUA LINE SURFBOARD 5 FINS TRI QUAD PC CORE new $94.98 |
|
|
FCS TC REDLINE SURFBOARD 3 FIN SET PC CORE NEW tri new $69.98 |
|
|
Local Motion Surfboard Tri Fin 80s Vintage Surf Board $895.00 |
|
|
Mark Richards Surfboard Tri Fin 80s Vintage Surf Board $695.00 |
|
|
1910’s Surf Board Riding Hawaii Tri-View Not Very Rare $16.50 |
|
|
G&S Surfboard Tri Fin 7′ 2′ w/ board bag $450.00 |
|
|
7′-0″ Tri-Ocean Earth Heavyweight Surfboard Coffin Bag $190.00 |
|
|
7′-6″ Tri-Ocean Earth Heavyweight Surfboard Coffin Bag $200.00 |
|
|
8′-0″ Tri-Ocean Earth Heavyweight Surfboard Coffin Bag $210.00 |
|
|
FCS Fins AB-1 PG Tri Surfboard Fin Set $70.00 |
|
|
Future Fins T1 Tri set twin FT1 FT1 surfboard composite $35.95 |
|
|
FCS GPR Glass Flex Tri Shortboard Surfboard Fin Set $39.00 |
|
|
NEW Pro Teck Performance FCS Surfboard Fin Set Tri Fin $47.95 |
|
|
NEW Pro Teck Performance FCS Surfboard Fin Set Tri Fin $47.95 |
|
|
FCS G-AM Fins Tri Shortboard surfboard Fins $40.00 |
|
|
FCS PC-2 Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Green/Clear $69.99 |
|
|
FCS PC-3 Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Red $69.99 |
|
|
NEW FCS PC-7 PC7 Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Smoke $69.99 |
|
|
FCS Sunny Garcia Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Smoke/Silver $73.99 |
|
|
FCS DHD-2 Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Smoke/Gold $73.99 |
|
|
FCS LB-1 Surfing Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Teal $84.99 |
|
|
FCS G-AM Fins Tri Shortboard surfboard Fins $40.00 |
|
|
FCS K-3 PG Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Black $77.99 |
|
|
FCS GMB PC Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Red $73.99 |
|
|
NEW FCS K-2.1 PC Surf Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set $77.99 |
|
|
Future Fins Vector T1 Tri set twin VFT1 FT1 surfboard $49.95 |
|
|
LOST MEYHEM 69″ SURFBOARD BGT BIG GUY TRI-FIN $99.99 |
|
|
FCS M-5 GLASS FLEX SURFBOARD TRI FIN SET – BRAND NEW $29.99 |
|
|
Premier Surfboard 8′ Tri Fin Epoxy W/Ankle Leash $269.99 |
|
|
FCS TC AQUA LINE SURFBOARD 3 FINS TRI PC CORE new $84.98 |
|
|
6.0′ Cult -Flashback Retro Fish Surfboard – FCS Tri-Fin $240.00 |
|
|
FCS PC-5 Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set – Blue/Clear $69.99 |
|
|
FCS M-7 GLASS FLEX SURFBOARD TRI FIN SET – BRAND NEW $29.99 |
|
|
NEW 8′6″ Recyclable “Green” LongBoard Surfboard Tri FCS $495.00 |
|
|
SPECTRUM OLD SURFBOARD LONG BOARD TRI FIN 7′ 6″ BULLOCK $165.00 |
|
|
Anacapa Tri-Fish Poly 06′06″ Surfboard Surfb $465.00 |
|
|
FUTURE FINS F4 437 surfboard tri fin surf NEW thruster $23.99 |
|
|
Future Fins F4 Haut surfboard thruster tri set NEW $35.95 |
|
|
FCS M-3 GLASS FLEX SURFBOARD TRI FIN SET – BRAND NEW $29.99 |
|
|
FCS GMB PC Surfing Surfboard Tri-Quad Fin Set – Red $96.99 |
|
|
Christmas Ornaments Sparkling Tri Gold Set of Three Sand Dollars-2.5-Beach Theme $24.95 NEW! Sparkling Sand Dollar Large Asst/3 Tri-Gold Size: 2.5 inch Made of Resin Great for your beach themed tree!… |
|
|
Honk; Five Summer Stories; 1972 Soundtrack LP VINYL LP!!!>….Not a cd…. Original 1972 USA Pressing…..Granite label GR-7720… |
|
|
Volcom Full Stone Tri-fold Wallet – Men’s $13.95 The Full Stone Tri-fold Wallet features quintessential Volcom style in a functional, affordable package. Classic Stone embroidery graces the outside of a distinctively Volcom cotton tri-fold design.Product FeaturesMaterial: Cotton twill Fold Type: Tri-foldID Sleeve: NoCoin Pouch: Yes, zipperedRecommended Use: Monetary organizationManufacturer Warranty: 30 Days… |
|
|
DAKINE Agent Tri-Fold Wallet – Men’s $24.95 Throw your papers and plastic in the DAKINE Agent Leather Wallet. This DAKINE tri-fold wallet holds your layers of papers and yards of cards, so you?re prepared for any secret-agent mission you get sent on.Product FeaturesMaterial: LeatherFold Type: Tri-foldID Sleeve: YesCoin Pouch: NoRecommended Use:Manufacturer Warranty: 1 YearCountry of Origin: China… |
|
|
DAKINE Payback Tri-Fold Wallet – Men’s $12.95 Last call is announced and human bar fixtures slam shot glasses down like a presiding judge declares the session is over ? for tonight. Whip out your slick Dakine Men?s Payback Tri-Fold Wallet and give back to the folks behind the bar. No cash in the billfold? You?d better have a valid card in one of the card slots then.Product FeaturesMaterial: Polyester Fold Type: Tri-foldID Sleeve: Yes Coin Pou… |
|
|
Hurley One and Only Tri-Fold Wallet – Men’s $13.95 Stick your IOUs, hook-up numbers and coins in the Hurley Men’s One and Only Tri-Fold Wallet and you’ll possibly become a more organized person.Product FeaturesMaterial: 100% Polyester Fold Type: Tri-foldID Sleeve: YesCoin Pouch: YesRecommended Use: Organizing fundsManufacturer Warranty:… |
|
|
Hurley Foundation Trifold Wallet – More Colors! … |
|
|
FCS K-3 Kelly Slater Performance Core Tri Fin Set $77.98 These fins are perfect for down the line walls and long turns. “They’ve been my magic set,” says Kelly Slater. The template was designed with this Pro and has the same stiff, traditional feel he rides on. The excess area at the base provides drive and hold and ability to draw out a long turning arc. The rigid solid bases with a tapered tip equals fast yet smooth transitions between turns . A small… |
|
|
FCS K-2.1 PC Surfing Surfboard Tri Fin Set $76.86 FCS K2.1 Performance Core Surfboard Tri Fin Set – The new Performance Core K2.1 fin is the perfect fin for powerful surfers or anyone wanting to push each turn to the limit.Made using Resin Transfer molding to be stiffer, Performance Core (PC) material and construction is designed to deliver the feeling of a traditional glass fin with the added performance of reduced weight.The K2.1 is the first o… |
|
|
FCS DHD-2 Glass Flex Surfboard Tri Fin Set – White/Black $37.98 Created by Darren Handley for his world famous team riders. A fast fin for all conditions. The smaller tabs on the center fin allow you to move the fin back for more hold and drive or forward for added response. Three fin set comes with a nice travel case and fin key…. |
