Help me with my step sons first board

Welder57's picture
Welder57 started the topic in Thursday, 21 May 2020 at 9:10am

Hi , I’m sure this has been asked many times but here’s the deal
My now step son moved in down here in playa del Rey And seems to want to surf like crazy. I took him out 2 times and he barley stood for a few seconds on a 6’ fish twin so I’m now looking to buy him a cheap used board . Here is where I’m a bit confused. I grew up in SD surf PE skating all the time and I was 5’5” and started on a short board maybe 5’7” ? But again I was around more experienced people and had a skate background and picked it up pretty easy . I’m now 46 and there are these soft boards and everything ells . Everything I read says 6’6” or larger for him. He is 100 lbs 5’ . Just a soccer background . I hate to waist money on a foam board or a board so long when I know once he learns a bit more he will want a shorter board but I also don’t want to discourage him . I’m thinking a 6’ - 6’2” fish non foam ?? I also have a girl 14 100 wanting to surf also Sorry for the length of this but any advice or input would be great thanks people .

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Sunday, 1 Nov 2020 at 7:25am

Some of those foamies now seem pretty refined and perfect for learning, proper shapes, bottom shape, rocker, rails, similar flex, proper FCS plugs etc, id expect they hold there resale value too.

Seems to me one around 6ft could suit both your kids need's, then if they start progressing keep an eye out for a suitable proper board, if you are on social media, join those surfboard sale groups, people basically give away old boards on them.

BTW. You sound exactly like me, similar age, started surfing at 13 was about 5,5 and rode a 5,8 then a year or so after got a custom 6ft shaped by a guy who use to take me surfing, but i also came from a skating background and could stand up pretty much first wave.

Cowabunga's picture
Cowabunga's picture
Cowabunga Sunday, 1 Nov 2020 at 3:56pm

Welder a couple of thoughts I can offer

A few inches more won't make any difference when learning to surf just need some thing that paddles easy as that's the real battle untill you build those muscles and stamina face it you need to paddle before you stand... not too big to hold on to, learn to duckdive

I lent a board to my stepdaughter she wanted to surf

first session she got hit in the face with it and gave up, foamies are safer

How times have changed my first board I couldn't hardly lift on the roof of the old man's car let alone carry