| If you’re just learning to surf, the kind of | | | | Beginners definitely shouldn’t buy new boards. |
| board you use is second to learning the ins and | | | | The ideal situation for beginning surfers would be |
| outs of the sport, but once you’ve gotten a | | | | to borrow a board from a friend, buy a used |
| handle on the sport and the different ways | | | | board, or purchase a long-term (seasonal) rental. |
| boards ride on a wave, you will come to | | | | Don’t worry about buying something fancy. |
| understand the art of choosing your perfect | | | | Just get something that will get you in the water, |
| surfboard. | | | | keep you coming back for more, and will stand |
| Many beginners learn how to surf on a long board, | | | | the test of time. |
| a board that is at least nine feet long. Any board | | | | Short-boarding beginners might prefer a |
| longer than nine feet will be much easier to learn | | | | “fish,” which tends to be short (about six |
| on because it will be much more comfortable to | | | | to seven feet in length) and wide (about 20 |
| lie down on, much faster to paddle out to the | | | | inches). Fish-shaped boards provide a little more |
| break, and much easier to catch a wave. With | | | | float for the rider, which is a help to beginning |
| time, practice, and patience, you will be standing | | | | surfers. Fish-shaped boards may be a little harder |
| up on your long board and catching waves in no | | | | to turn and duck dive, but they will help you get |
| time. At that point, you may consider a smaller | | | | the feel of short boarding and provide enough |
| board. | | | | confidence for you to continue learning. As is the |
| Let’s talk a bit more about the advantages of | | | | case with beginner long boards, your beginner |
| the long board. The factors that allow you to | | | | short board should also be newer (10 years old at |
| catch a wave are the size of the wave, the | | | | most) and should not have dings, holes, bumps, or |
| velocity of the wave, and the quality of your | | | | bruises. |
| board. The key for beginners is to not get a | | | | If you have a decent budget, you could opt for |
| board that is too short or too narrow. You will be | | | | the practically indestructible epoxy board. Epoxy |
| much happier starting out on a long, wide board, | | | | boards, as opposed to cheaper fiberglass boards, |
| as you will catch more waves and get more | | | | last longer and are machine made. They’re |
| practice standing up. You’ll have far less | | | | good for beginners because they don’t ding |
| inclination to lug a heavy board around with you, | | | | as easily (and, as a beginner, you will find that |
| so find a board that is light enough to carry | | | | your board is difficult to carry without bumping |
| around. The thickness of the board doesn’t | | | | into things). |
| matter as much, but try to get a board that will | | | | Finally, if you don’t feel completely |
| fit comfortably under your arm or one that you | | | | comfortable on the board, don’t worry too |
| can actually carry for at least two blocks. | | | | much?you’ll get used to it. Get something |
| As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want a | | | | decent enough to keep you paddling out for a |
| board that seems discolored or overly worn or | | | | year and trade up for a better, faster board |
| tired. You want a board that still has a little life in it | | | | when you’re ready. |
| and you shouldn’t be afraid to ding it up a bit. | | | | |