So l do not have a job this summer but have always wanted to surf. l love the ocean and the water and am a strong swimmer, waterpolo player and scuba diver.

l have heard that starting off with a shortboard (6'-6'6) is not that good.

I am about 6 foot 2 inches, what surfboard would work for me?
I am planning on getting lessons as well and l live next to the ocean and would go surfing a lot so the board would not be a waste and if the board is good l do not mind paying for it.

Thanks in advance!

l say long board. Thats what l learned on and had the most fun on. Short boards are reallly hard to handle unless you really know how to surf.

since your just starting out a long sponge board would be the best, but just until you can stand and ride the line then you should probably get an epoxy board or a fiberglass board (try to go for epoxy--its less harmful on the environment and they're more durable)

But if you get lessons most of the time they provide the board.

well l would would go with a long board or a fun shape board
http://islesurfboards.com/index.asp?
these are some good board examples
PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3536
http://islesurfboards.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3637
http://islesurfboards.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3616

l am 6' 2'' & 180 lbs. l learned on a 7'6'' funboard. It is a longboard design but with shortboard length. You have the flotation & stability u need but the shorter length makes it easier to handle. Great for all types of waves.

l have a 6'6'' shortboard that l will only take out in good 4-6+ waves. Otherwise , paddling for smaller crap is not worth it.

l also have a 9'2'' McTavish longboard that l can take in anything. Small 2' waves up to 12'. Granted, a lonboard is hard to duck dive in big waves but to carve up & down a big wave on a longboard is heaven.

Bottom line, start with a rentall board or buy a used one. Go with a funboard of maybe 7'6'' - 8' & u will be able to use it forever. l have been surfing forever & as my surfing evolved, l got shorter & longer boards.

Surfing is the greatest thing u will ever experience, next to getting barrelled that is.

You need a board that will float u well enough for u to take off (paddle & catch a wave). Most people learn best on long boards, although l have seen lots of surfers start on a short board & master it. Long boards r ideal for learners. There r also good internediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals & some hybrids. You can always trade in a board & buy a new one when u r ready for a change (or keep ur long board. l bought a new long board about 6/7 years ago, and, like l said, there r some days that it is the perfect board for the conditions).

There r no RULES for learning how to surf. Go to a good local surf shop & talk to the surfers there. They will give u good advice for what works in the local breaks u will be riding.

Learning to surf is more than just standing up on a surfboard. If u r going to surf, u should be a competent ocean swimmer. Not just good in a pool, but able to swim in the surf, & when the undertow & rips r strong. l have seen lots of good pool swimmers get rescued.

Once u get that far, l would recommend some surf lessons. Go to a REAL surf shop (not a bathing suit store that sells some surfboards). The folks there will rent u a board & hook u up with some lessons. If u r fairly athletic with okay balance, u will learn how to stand up fairly easily. Much more important, is for u to learn surf etiquette. A good instructor will make sure u understand the ''rules'' so that everybody else in the water does not want to kill u before u get good at surfing.

l have been surfing for 42 years, & it is the greatest stoke of all, good luck.