Okay,...So I've been surfing for a week now. Every day for 3 1/2 hours a day. l really good,...l can ride on the line,...do some tricks, and l can ''pump'' now. My older sister has a 3 fined short board. So do you think l could just use that instead of having to go out and buy a funboard? I've been riding a 7' funboard for the last week,...and my sister is is 7'5''. l know shortboards are harder to ride.

So you've been surfing for a week? Everyday for 31/2 hours? & ur really good? l am not sure l know what ''riding on the line'' is, but l do know what ''pumping'' is & what ''doing some tricks'' is.
Listen kid, do not try to do any tricks u probably look rather silly doing what u think r ''tricks''. The best thing u can do is try to go straight or maybe thats ''riding the line as fast as u can work on the pumping, & do not try to do any tricks. Try not to wave u arms at all or stand with ur legs to far apart. What l am saying is try to surf real smooth & fast. Once u have learned to go real fast straight then try to work on doing a bottom turn. In about a year when you've mastered these most important aspects of surfing then u can work on cutbacks, off the lips, tubes & then the tricks. If u start off with a crappy style it will be very hard to make u a good surfer. Surfline.com has some great ''how to'' video's
At least ur starting with the right size board. Stay with that for at least a couple of months more. You might have someone video u while ur surfing that way u can see how u what ur style is like. Once u can see that u look smooth ,(no flailing arms or weird squat style) U can move on to a new board

Good luck

A shortboar is a tougher ride but will improve your place, and skills as well depending on your ideas of trick a shortboard will help you perform better as well as ride faster and more responsive.

yess, maybe not a small shortboard

but try like a 6'6 or somwhere around there

make sure it was thick rails around 2 1/2 or 2 1/4 rails soo its still sturdy enough.

if you get like a 5'11 you will most likely get frustrated and mad.

do not rush it you will get there.

have funn!

l have been surfing for 42 years. Tricks r what l taught my dog to do, or what a magician does when he pulls rabbit out of a hat. Surfers do moves & maneuvers. If u r comfortable rinding ur sisters board, there is no reason not to buy one just like it. Most people start out better (easier) on a longer board, but l have seen lots of surfers start on a short board & eventually master it. THERE ARE NO RULES FOR LEARNING HOW TO SURF.
Lessons r usually the best way to start, unless u r an adolescent or young adult with lots of pals who surf who can teach you. Go to a real surf shop. The folks there can hook u up with lessons, & even rent u a board to learn on. Just work on ur basics, & after u feel good, think about buying a board, but do not rush into anything.


Be careful of what u read here on line. There r lots of really well meaning young folks who have neat about surfing, but at 55, l tend to classify anyone under 25 as a kid. After l found this site, l figured that l could answer a few questions, & spread the 'good news' of surfing. After u learn to swim & master the ocean, get ur REAL advice from a surf shop, where industry professionals earn their rent money selling surfboards. However, if they think u r just a 'kook' tourist out to rent a board, u wo not necessarily get the best attention.

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.

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer. The pros there can give u the right !!

Good luck. Once u try surfing (and learn the 'right way') u will have fun for life.