Hello
I am looking to buy a new surfboard next month
and am a little confused.
I am 5'6'' and about 140 pounds.
Currently, l ride a 6'2'' shortboard that my cousin handed down to me.
It is pretty dinging up, so l need help looking for a new one.
I am more into shortboarding, so if anyone could point out the right dimensions or something of a board that would be good for me, I'd really appreciate that.
Thanks in advanced!
i surfed for about half of last year
(the warmer months)
and not a lot this year yet
but l am already seeing an improvement.

Open up that phone book and look up surfing in the yellow pages, then visit the shop that is listed, they are better trained to serve you.

How long have u been surfing???

Once u have got the hang of it & want to choose ur own surfboard, the most sensible option is to buy a custom board i.e. a surfboard that has been hand crafted as opposed to factory produced (but not necessarily produced to an individual is specifications). Generally, the surfboard should be around 1 to 2 ft taller than you. Children r generally lighter & more buoyant than adults so can go for a surfboard with slightly smaller dimensions & around 6 to 18 inches taller. Surfboard widths range from 18 to 21 inches & r usually between 2 to 3 inches thick. Beginners need help with balance & buoyancy so go for something closer to 21 inches wide around 2 to 3 inches thick. Basically, the larger the surfer the thicker & wider the surfboard needs to be. This applies to intermediate surfers too.

Intermediate & advanced surfers will be looking for a Shortboard (also known as a Thruster), which range in size from about 5ft8'' to 6ft10''. These r slender shaped surfboards which have pointed noses & sharp rails (edges) & r used to perform aggressive snappy manoeuvres. Shortboards r not really wide enough, thick enough or long enough to suit a beginner so if u r new to this, do not be tempted by the cool factor - u will end up getting really frustrated whilst giving ur fellow surfers a laugh!.

There r two other types of smaller surfboard & these r the Fish & the Gun. The Fish or Fat Boy, is similar to the Thruster, however is smaller in length but much wider, giving it a slightly more rounded shape (like a fish!). These surfboards can range from 4ft8' to 7ft0'' & r great for improver riders. The Gun is a bigger version of the Shortboard & is used by advanced riders in big surf. The increased length of the surfboard makes it possible to paddle into bigger waves & these surfboards range in length from around 7'2'' to over 12'.