Im 5'7, 120 pounds. l live in NJ. What kind of board should l get?

Make sure you get a longboard to start out on. When you get better you can get a shortboard. But for now stick with the longboard. Have fun!!!

The Surfboard Man
http://thesurfboardman.com/

Jack,

It all depends on how long u have been surfing, & what u r looking for in surfboard. Almost all beginners do best learning on a long board, but there r no rules about what type of board u have to use to learn to surf.

You r also fairly thin, r u still growing? Not that that should effect u too much on a longboard, it might influence what size/type of short board u want.

If u r just beginning, go take some lessons (the lessons will be probably be on a long board or fun shape). After u master the basics, try a couple different type of surfboards, before u buy anything. Read some of the old questions here, there r lots of folks who goof & buy a board that it not right for them, before they really get a handle on surfing basics. TRY before u BUY.

l ride both long & short boards (one at a time, of course) & there r good things about both. But l always bring a long board to the beach with me. There r some days (especially where l surf in NJ & SC) when the surf is just too small for anything other than a long board. l have surfed NJ since '66, & l would say that u can not go wrong with a longboard, at least to start out.

http://jchawaii.com/v6/boards.php
http://mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

Get a longboard & u will be able to paddle better, get into waves easier, more foregiving when u get up, & they're just mo fun if you're starting out.

When u get ur timing down (how/where to paddle, where to position yourself to catch a wave, popping up clean) & feel like u want to progress ur surfing then look at a shortboard.

I've seen a lot of folks stress on what type of shortboard to get when they're still struggling on a longboard. It will only be harder & u will get frustrated & not therefore not have as much fun.

l was surfing at San Onofre & little kids were killing it on longboards. Stick to the log!

You probably should get at least an 8 foot board. As was stated earlier, it is easier to catch waves and paddle with the longboard. Personally, l prefer the fiberglass boards over the softboards and epoxy boards. But, that is a matter of personal preference.

Odds are that if you are having to ask on here, you are not ready for a shortboard. As far as usefulness goes being an East coaster you will get more ridable days with a longboard, plus it is easier to ride.

Get a longboard. you can ride more waves and it is a lot more fun.