I want to learn to surf - I have very limited wave experience. I’ve tried on an 8’ fun shape but it was really hard to maneuver (not to mention the wide straddle to sit on in the line up!). I’m 5’2", 118 lbs, and have powerful legs (and weak upper body) from bicycle racing. What size and shape board should I get? Thanks for any advice!
Bethie, That board sounds perfect (even if you didn’t mention it I would have recommended someting in the 8’ range). Shape is really unimportant as long as it is relatively wide in the nose and the tail. (Funshapes, eggs, hybrids, mini-longboards all fit into this category). What kind of maneuvers do you intend to do? You don’t need a really “loose” board. You need one that is going to paddle really well and be stable under your feet. If you mean that it is difficult to maneuver in that it is heavy and tough to carry around I think you may be asking too much from a surfboard. My advice? Save yourself some $$$, keep using that 8 footer, and when you are getting up consistently, tracking with speed down the line, and turning the board…then start thinking about an “upgrade”. Best of luck to you. Let us know how you make out. Swaylock>>> I want to learn to surf - I have very limited wave experience. I’ve tried > on an 8’ fun shape but it was really hard to maneuver (not to mention the > wide straddle to sit on in the line up!). I’m 5’2", 118 lbs, and have > powerful legs (and weak upper body) from bicycle racing. What size and > shape board should I get? Thanks for any advice!
If I were you, I’d try a 9 foot tri-fin longboard that was about 21 1/2 inches wide. Go with a basic shape that’s got a square, or rounded square tail, and a basic nose design.>>> I want to learn to surf - I have very limited wave experience. I’ve tried > on an 8’ fun shape but it was really hard to maneuver (not to mention the > wide straddle to sit on in the line up!). I’m 5’2", 118 lbs, and have > powerful legs (and weak upper body) from bicycle racing. What size and > shape board should I get? Thanks for any advice!
The difficulty manuevering is simply getting it turned around to paddle for the wave, or to get out of someone’s way. It just feels so big and cumbersome – I guess it will come with practice. The 8 footer is a borrowed board, so I do need to get myself one. Thanks!>>> Bethie,>>> That board sounds perfect (even if you didn’t mention it I would have > recommended someting in the 8’ range). Shape is really unimportant as long > as it is relatively wide in the nose and the tail. (Funshapes, eggs, > hybrids, mini-longboards all fit into this category). What kind of > maneuvers do you intend to do? You don’t need a really “loose” > board. You need one that is going to paddle really well and be stable > under your feet. If you mean that it is difficult to maneuver in that it > is heavy and tough to carry around I think you may be asking too much from > a surfboard.>>> My advice? Save yourself some $$$, keep using that 8 footer, and when you > are getting up consistently, tracking with speed down the line, and > turning the board…then start thinking about an “upgrade”. Best > of luck to you. Let us know how you make out.>>> Swaylock
If I were you, I’d try a 9 foot tri-fin longboard that was about 21 1/2 > inches wide. Go with a basic shape that’s got a square, or rounded square > tail, and a basic nose design. this is for the shapers…for novice surfers, particularly women, i’ve made about half a dozen boards using the 8’4"S blank by Stewart. i actually get an 8’4" finished board that can fit under a womens arm but still be stable , etc. just fyi, great blank for such occasions.