l wanna get into surfing and wanna know what others opinions are on this. Im 23, 6'2 like 175 and use to wakeboard for 3 years, l play flag football usually once a week. I am fairly athletic. l wanna ride a shortboard but all l see is people say beginners should learn on a longboard cause it is easier and then go smaller when you get better. Surfboards are not cheap and l do not see the point in buying a cheap longboard costing $99, which is not cheap and then a few months later spending $300+ on an ok shortboard. Does it really make that big of a difference?

l am only 15 and l ride a 5'5
It is easier to start on a longboard because they are more stable, but if you are looking to ride a shorter board once you get the hang of it, l suggest buying a foamy, its just a cheap foam longboard that hasnt been fibre glassed which is a lot cheaper, they are also easy to sell once your done with it because they do not damage easily and a lot of new surfers are looking for them!

It is true that having a long board if ur a beginner does make it easier to learn, but like u l did not want to spend the money on a long board just so later on l would have to fork out money again on a short board so l just got a short board instead & when l was beginning l did eventually get better at it after a lot of practice, but l am still no expert or professional or anything like that on a board, but l can at least stay on the board for awhile now. hope this helps

just go look on craigslist and l bet you can find a foam board for all cheap.

plus its kinda fun having one around for the days when the waves suck. you can still romp around in the water and catch all the waves

it does make a huge difference if u ride a shortboard or longboard. longboarding will help u learn how to surf faster & u will learn a lot faster. if u want, u can learn on a short board. l did & it was extremely hard & it took a lot of practice & time & l could have learned faster with a longboard, but that was 6 years ago. remember to keep in mind that the older u are, the harder it is to learn. so l suggest going long for you. but if u really want, go ahead & pick up that shortboard. it will take u a long time to learn on it though & most people get frustrated & want to quit when learning on shortboards.

if money is an issue, just go to ur local surf shop & rent a mini mal or fun board for a couple of days & once u learned how to actually surf, rent a shortboard. like John F always says, try before u buy. & that is some great advice. l have seen a lot of people who wanted to shortboard in the beginning actually like longboarding more. so rent both & if u like shortboarding, buy a board.

i am a shortboarder & l love shortboarding. l bet u will like it too because u say u wakeboard, so just go learn to surf & have fun out there! hope this helps! good luck!

l started on a 6'8 fish like a month ago and im doing fine with that.and if u wakeboarded before alot it shouldnt be that hard. Mabe one of your friends has a longbaord that they would let you borrow cuz that would be a good alternative for a few days

Most people learn best on long boards, although l have seen lots of surfers start on a short board & master it. In the long run, there r NO RULES on what type of board u have to learn on. Long boards r ideal for learners. There r also good internediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals & some hybrids. That is why instructors use long boards or fun boards (or even softtops).

THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer. l have been surfing since 1966 & l get my surfboard advice at good local shops at the places where l surf. The pros there can give u the right !! There is no way anyone could accurately recommend any particular surfboard for u on line. But the folks at the local shop know the local wave conditions, & can match ur size & skill level with the right board for local waves.

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

From personal experience, id say it boils down to how often do u plan to surf? almost EVERYONE told me to get a funboard in the 6'10 to 7'4 range to start out, or a long board & slowly move down.

THen l talked to the local surfshops & the guys told me if l plan to surf often, just get a short.

l surf about 4 days a week for 4 or 5 hours each time, so l improved much quicker. Most ppl dont have the luxury of being able to surf that often though. A long board or funboard would help u a lot in the beginning, especially if you've never surfed. & as long as u buy used, u can usually flip it for the same price when u outgrow it.

If u really want to just do short board, realize that its going to be a LOT harder at first. u probably wont even be able to stay on the board laying down while u paddle out, & riding wash will be pretty tough too. basically its going to be much more frustrating in the beginning.

with all that being said, l love shortboard & glad l got mine.

go to a shop & ask them.

l started on a shortboard. it took longer to learn but now l know that l havent wasted all my money on a longboard. just get a wide and thick surfboard that is about 6'5-6'7. you will be fine, unless you want to spend all the money on 2 surfboards.

If you think a longboard might grow old on you and shortboard might be a little more expensive and harder to learn on why dont you try a Funboard? Funboards are easy to paddle..they float like a longboard but are little more performance..like a shortboard. Anyways talk to a local shop about some lessons and really see how surfing is before you decide. You might love it but might not right?

you have to find the reason you want to ride a shortboard, which you have not done yet. yes, you wake board, but there is no boat pulling you to catch a wave on the ocean (unless you're tow surfing, which is only recommended for waves over 25 feet or so).

you're not gonna understand my answer. just go surfing.