When it comes to surfboard size, more significant is nearly always preferable for a beginner surfer. Stability and buoyancy are the first things a new surfer requires from their surfboard. There will be a variety of reasons for a surfer to modify the size of their board as they continue in their learning to surf journey.
We recommend that you choose a board three feet longer than your height when choosing your first one. This implies a longboard for almost every surfer. Longboards are great for starting started, but they get in the way of learning how to improve your turning abilities. To be ready to shift down to a mid-length surfboard, you must first master the footwork and flow of linking top, and bottom turns together on a longboard. Jumping down too soon can lead to the development of negative behaviors.
Here’ our beginner impossibility’s we want you to overcome before you drop in board length:
On the board, you’re paddling too far back. When paddling into waves on a longboard, you can get away with being somewhat too far back on the tail. They’re long and flat, and they glide like a dream with less effort than smaller boards. If you’re too far back on a smaller board, you’ll have too much drag and never get onto the wave. You’ll glide effortlessly into waves on a smaller commission if you practice finding that perfect spot with your nose just above the waterline.
Longboards are very stable when they fly out before the takeoff wave, so beginners can get away with their pop-up out on the flats. With a shorter, less stable board, not so much! You’ll catch rails before you get to your feet if you have speed wobbles or stall out. If you learn to get to your feet before hitting the bottom of the wave, you’ll have more time to make a bottom turn rather than being stuck going straight.
Turning from the middle
There’s no way to turn a longboard unless you’re behind the board’s middle. Smaller boards are the same way. The fins are the engine that propels a good turn. When you downsize your go-to stick, you’ll have no trouble shifting back to the tail for a turn on your novice longboard.
So you’ve honed your longboard skills, want to go faster in your turns, take off on steeper waves, and require a more agile board when the waves get bigger.
Drop a foot and preserve the same style shape if you want to maintain and improve your longboarding talents. If you ride more extended sizes, the Ultimate is the way to go, but if you’re a smaller surfer, the Poacher is the way to go.
Drop to an 8’0 if you ride a 9’0 to 9’6 Ultimate longboard.
Before you drop more than 2 feet inboard length, we want you to be comfortable on your beginning surfboard in solid surf and know how to top and bottom to stay in the wave’s power pocket. This category is for the intermediate surfer who has logged some significant hours in the water, has strong wave knowledge, paddle strength, and is seeking that board that will take them from beginner to intermediate surfing. The Over Easy and Easy Rider are the safest bets, while The Weapon is the most aggressive option.
