i am 5'8 and I want to learn to surf what size board should I look for

there is quite a few factors to consider including ur weight, the size swell u typically surf, & the design of the board u r looking to get. For a guy l would suggest something around 6' to 6'2'' in a shortboard, shorter in a fish as long as you're not gonna see anything bigger than chest to head. With larger waves (typically not good to learn on) a longer board with a skinnier nose becomes better for the conditions. An average weight girl obviously weighs less than an average weight guy, & not gonna ask ur weight online or anything :), so an average girl could ride a considerably smaller board, maybe as small as 5'6'' in a fish but I'd still go bigger. The larger the board the more flotation it provides so u do not have to paddle for the wave as hard & do not have to drop in as late. Turns & stuff r slower with more board bulk, but by the time u get to that level u should be looking for a different board anyways. Someone who works in a shop should be able to help u out finding a suitable learner board too. Hope this helps!

Depends on 1- How much you weigh, 2- What kind of surf you will be surfing in, 3- your skill/fitness level, 4- your style

Tough to recommend something, as a 5'8 rider who weighs 110 would use a much different board than one that weighs 150, etc

If you're not sure what you're looking for, l recommend what Chris K said.

Here is a surfboard calculator that will tell you exactly what you need:
http://aboutthebreak.com/surfboard_calculator.php

For some reason, it seems like somebody asks this same question at least once every ten days!
Surfing is an ocean sport. before u decide to surf, decide to know & understand the ocean. Learn to be at home with its currents, rips, undertows & sometimes BIG waves. The original surfers were watermen (and women, both men & women surfed, but certain waves were reserved for royalty).

l spent almost all of my teen years, swimming, sailing, surfing, scuba diving & fishing. l even surfed in different places the Navy sent me, when it was possible.

There r good things about both long & short boards. l ride both (one at a time , of course). In the mid sixties, like almost everybody else, l started on a longboard. l went shorter & shorter every summer, during the 'short board revolution.' After getting out of the service, l had afew years of sporadic surfing, before l got back to surfing as much as possibly could. (I've driven 650 miles to go surfing!). l found some days that were just too small anything but a longboard. Just riding one size board is very limiting, conditions change daily in most places.

l am old, & fat & slow, so even my shortboard is 7'6''. My 6'4'' is a collectors' item now. Not every break has ripper, head high waves every day. A longboard is great for plenty of glide in that knee high stuff. One more reason to surf every chance l can.

Surfing is an ocean sport, to do it right, u have to be at home in the ocean, with its currents, rips, undertows & sometimes big waves. l do not just mean being good at swimming in a pool, the ocean can be very unforgiving. l have seen lots of really good pool swimmers have to get rescued. You have to learn surf etiquette (so the experienced surfers in the line up do not want to drown you), how to paddle & take off on a wave, & how to ride a wave. You can not do that without an ocean.

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.

Take the time to check out the links, especially surfingforlife.
http://surfingforlife.com/history.ht.
http://mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm
http://360guide.info/surfing/surfboard-t.

it depends on ur weight and size swell ur surfing. and wat type board. if u want a long board l suggest around a 7 to 7'2 board. if u want a short board l suggest a 5'4 to 5'6 one. but it totally depnds on swell and ur wieght.

surfchee. : wowa, are you implying to learn to surf on a 5'4 short board. you have clearly never surfed, l will not even bother.