Hey, what would would be the ideal board for someone 5'5"-5'10"? It will be used for waves 5-10 feet. Basically will be used in Virginia Beach and Outer Banks, if that helps anyone. I was looking at funboards, but many people told me once they got better, they had to sell that board because they didn't like them. I'm not exactly rolling in cash. I found this: http://cgi.ebay.com/WEBBER-AFTERBURNER-Shortboard-surfboard-s-Several_W0QQitemZ300259171929QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300259171929&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14, but I don't know if I can use it, I'd prefer a shorboard to a longboard. Thanks

Khaled

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

Thanks Ted, I am pretty skinny and kind of short, but not too short.
Something like this? http://www.waveridingvehicles.com/boards.html
Look up the High Performance Funboard.

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

Kman,
You won't want anything to do with 10' surf for several seasons.
Ted gives good advice. You should look for a sturdy, old, used board (the opposite of what you look for in a girlfriend). Not the sleek, thin, sexy one that you want to show off on the beach. Don't buy new. Beginners are very hard on surfboards. The High Performance Fun Board (how could you go wrong with a <u>fun</u> board right?) is probably not a good beginner board either. They are typically very thin and light. Also that one looks like it has a lot of rocker which will make the board looser and more squirrelly...good once you know what to do with it). A flatter board like The Fullhouse would be a lot easier and faster to paddle. Look for about 2.75-3" thick, 22-23" wide, about 7'6"-8'6". That board will float you really well and make it easier to start catching waves. Also, be sure it's something you can comfortably carry, put in the car, etc. I am not familiar with east coast conditions but you will probably start out riding mushy whitewater waves for a while. If it's 5'-10' stay on the beach and watch. Wear a leash but learn to hold on to your board. That way you don't clobber somebody else.

Are you anywhere near Carol (Mom Surfing) shop? She would probably be able to hook you up. good luck

Thanks for the replies, the Full House does look good. Carol lives like, this far http://maps.live.com/?q=&form=MSNH#JnJ0cD1wb3MucTN4dm5zOG55aGQ2X25lYXIrMTY5NitEYW0rTmVjaytSZCUyYytWaXJnaW5pYStCZWFjaCUyYytWaXJnaW5pYSsyMzQ1NCUyYytVbml0ZWQrU3RhdGVzX19fZV8lN2Vwb3MucHc1bmJ6OHE0YnMyX25lYXIrQ2FwZStQb2ludCtSZCUyYytOYWdzK0hlYWQlMmMrTm9ydGgrQ2Fyb2xpbmErMjc5NTklMmMrVW5pdGVkK1N0YXRlc19fX2VfJnJ0b3A9MCU3ZTA= . That's close to my house, but not the exact addrress. I like the Full House. Would that be a good investment. However, I do go to Nag's Head for like a week or so in the summer, which is near there.

Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

The Fullhouse is not necessarily the very "best" board for you. Just maybe the best of the boards you showed us. Probably not a "good" investment though. I repeat, beginners are hard on boards, a used board is probably a better investment. Ride it for a year or two and then trade in or sell it. Try borrowing or renting a couple boards before you buy.

Also, again I'm not familiar with east coast conditions but I bet as you gain experience and wave sense those 5' waves may become 1-2' waves

Size and type of board depends on your experience level. Beginner--start with a long board and once you gain the arm strength and ability to time your take-off, then you can move to the short/performance boards. If you've been surfing awhile, then borrow or rent a shortboard and see if you like it.

The take-off on a short board will be totally different and very frustrating to a beginner. With a long board, or even "fun" board, you can paddle into the wave. With a short board, you wait until the wave jacks up and launch yourself close to the curl. Short boards don't do well in small surf.

I second the recommendation to get a used board. Fiberglass boards ding easily. Epoxy boards are more expensive but more durable and float like corks, but if you ding it, it's an expensive repair. I would stay away from the foam boards.

There is a plastic board made by "Bic" in various sizes--the 9', 9.4' and 10' Bics are good boards, relatively inexpensive, and virtually indestructible. The 7'6" to 8' Bic is a pig--don't buy it.

The same plastic is used for Bic wind surfers. I've been surfing for 10 years now and still use a 10' Bic for the simple reason that I am old and lazy and can run it into the rocks in Malibu, and then patch any dings with Plumber's Goop. My only complaint--Bic boards are made in France.

At your weight and height, and assuming you are a rank beginner, I say rent, borrow or buy a 9' Bic Classic Long--$500 new. It will aways be a good back-up or loaner board if you move on to something else. I bought a 9' Bic for my daughter, who is 5'1 and 100 lbs, and she likes it a lot better than the 7'10 epoxy board I gave her.

http://www.shorelinesurf.com/bic-surfboards.htm#bic

goober

It's the same with guitars--try it before you buy it. Bic's are a common rental board simply because they are cheap and durable, and you should be able to find them locally. Sure, short boards with pointy noses look cool, but if you are a beginner, you'll spend a lot of time watching the long boarders catch all the waves. Beware of the $2-$300 board--you get what you pay for.

goob

For what it's worth, a 6'8" - 7' board would be ideal to learn on as it has the length to give you some stability and the shortness to allow some maneuvers on.

I'd head for a larger round tail, thruster type with fairly soft rails, this would be good in anything from 2' to 8' surf, maybe a bit larger but they tend to get a little loose in 8 to 10'.

Mals are for older blokes, where we don't like struggling to get into the wave as much, you get a bit of hull speed up paddling the mals.

Mom surfing sells boards as well as surfs, so she will able to point you in the right direction as well.

To help anyone with reccomendations this is average Surf here in Virginia Beach
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Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.

Ok, all I can say, is Virginia Beach is a great place to start out.
Croatan, which is maybe the biggest spot in Virginia Beach

Sandbridge, another nice spot in Virginia Beach

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Sonichris
I also like to think that all early 60's fender equipment is happy to be playing surf music again. After all, its the music it was meant to play.