What Size Surfboard Should You Buy
Many new students ask what size surfboard should you buy. That is an excellent question and an answer that many new people get wrong. We see the experts in the movies and at the beach carrying nice small short boards. This is the board for people with years of experience.
Beginners should look for the surfboard that makes surfing easy to learn. People who don’t visit the water often should look for the surfboard that is easy to paddle and ride. People that are overweight or older should also look for the surfboard that floats them best and is easy to paddle.
The Fundamentals of Progressing on a Surfboard
Beginners start in foam waves that are formed after the real wave on the outside has broken and is rolling to shore. The beginner sees the wave coming and rolls over on his surfboard to start paddling. When the foam wave is close, he paddles hard and executes a pop up to ride to the beach.
The beginner is learning the fundamentals of popping into the perfect stance on the surfboard. The board is designed so that a surfer’s weight will be equal on both sides of the middle stringer that runs from nose to tail. Until the surfer can perfect this, he needs a lot of tolerance from the surfboard. This means higher volume.
I start most teens and adults on a 9′ soft top surfboard. Once they can pop to the perfect stance, I will move them to an 8′ board. The 8′ board is an excellent performer and intermediate and advanced surfers can ride 7′ waves on them. They will do most of the maneuvers in real waves.
When surfers have practiced their maneuvers on real waves and need a board that is faster and will carve quicker and more sharply, they consider a hard board. The first step should only be a little shorter. A 7’6″ fun board that is 21+” wide and 2 3/4″ inches thick is a great next board.
A surfer who doesn’t get to the water often might ride this board for the rest of his life. As he gets better because he is in the water several times a week, he starts moving to shorter boards six inches at a time. When they get shorter, they have less volume and are harder to paddle and catch waves.
After riding the foam boards, there is no reason not to buy a 9′ hard board. They will be faster and more maneuverable. They will remain easy to paddle, catch waves and ride. Adults who get to the water once a week or month should consider this option.
Surfers are judged more on how they look riding and not by the surfboard they ride. It is best to get a surfboard that is most appropriate for your weight, skill, and stamina.
For Surf Lessons in Oceanside, See the Home Page
See my new website Get Fit to Surf.com
Sign up for a Weekly Newsletter that will provide tips and successful strategies for weight loss and fitness.
See Coaching for Weight Loss and Building Fitness. I suggest you read The 3 Week Plan. It is a no fail plan if you stick to it.
Learn More
To take surf lessons in Oceanside, see the Home Page
Get the Learn to Surf Guide Course in Kindle, Paperback or Audio
A great 29 page course on the fundamentals of catching waves, doing beginner and advanced pop ups, riding real waves, how to do maneuvers on real waves, which surfboards to ride, and how to progress. Great for lesson preparation, after lesson review, or learning on your own.
Kindle price $2.99 on Amazon. Paperback price $6.95 on Amazon. Audio download price $7.95
Overweight People Can Surf
To read a great book for getting in shape to surf or getting in better surfing shape, read my new book Overweight People Can Surf, a Health, Fitness, Nutrition, and Surfing Adventure
Description:
Get healthy and fit to surf or set a goal of surfing to improve weight, fitness, nutrition, and health. This guide by a surf instructor/health coach/personal trainer gives the short version of how to lose weight, get strong, build stamina, develop nutrition, and learn to surf. Surfing is a lifestyle enjoyed by millions and so is fitness. Fitness creates opportunities to enjoy life through lots of different kinds of recreation. No need to stand on the sidelines while others are having a great time. Start your program to health with easy steps and progress at your own pace. That is the secret to maintaining a lifestyle. Do it at your pace. This book will start you on the path.
Buy the E book on Amazon for $2.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $6.95
Seniors Get Fit to Surf
Description:
Seniors often ask if it is too late to learn to surf. Age is functional not chronological. If people have been exercising and maintaining body strength, surfing can be accomplished. If people have not been exercising, then getting in shape to surf could be a life changing move. Learn how to develop strength, flexibility, and stamina to learn surfing. If you are in surf shape, you could pursue most any recreation.
Buy the E-book on Amazon for $2.99
Buy the Paperback on Amazon for $6.95
