* Well at least 90% of conditions a beginner will come across on the EastCoast.

Hi All. First post but long time reader of all the shenanigans that go on in the longboard room.

So Ive quit my job. Ive decked my van out. And I have until late May next year before I have to return to reality. So its time to fulfil a life long dream of mine, to learn to surf.

I literally want to spend all my time in the ocean. If one was to try and cover all conditions that a beginner would come across, what type/sort/dimensions of boards would you have in your kit?

Im 90kg, will spend most of my time on the north/south coast of NSW.

If you read this far. Much love

I was in the same position as you a few years ago (weight and novice wise, not spare time...)

I would say stick to the standard longboard 9'2 - 9'4 x 23" by 3" with a 2+ 1 fin setup. Any brand will do, I try to buy from local shapers where possible.

Hey dude,

I would actually go and checkout a local surf coach and do some private lessons. You can seriously save yourself about a year of frustration and picking up bad habits that are way harder to un-learn.

A good one will teach you about "surfing", not just how to stand up on a board on a wave. That means how to read waves, etiquette, how to get out etc... They will get you competent WAY faster than just trial and error and worth every penny.

They will likely start you off on an 8'8
'is soft top, which are great to learn on... And personally, I would look at a mid 8' board (like 8'4"-8'6") as your starter as having less length is easier to handle and less crucial as to where you stand... I reckon once you get over 9' board positioning becomes more important for trim (speed). Good thing about that length is you can the decide if you want to go longer to noseride or shorter to turn...

Thats my 50c worth, good luck, it can change your life

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ColonelSanders said..
* Well at least 90% of conditions a beginner will come across on the EastCoast.

Hi All. First post but long time reader of all the shenanigans that go on in the longboard room.

So Ive quit my job. Ive decked my van out. And I have until late May next year before I have to return to reality. So its time to fulfil a life long dream of mine, to learn to surf.

I literally want to spend all my time in the ocean. If one was to try and cover all conditions that a beginner would come across, what type/sort/dimensions of boards would you have in your kit?

Im 90kg, will spend most of my time on the north/south coast of NSW.

If you read this far. Much love

What a great thing to do.
Keep us posted

Dude, congrats and welcome!

You will quickly learn with surfing opinions are a plenty. It takes time to figure out what you need. I agree with Andy, lessons are a great idea. Private if you can afford it or group if you dont want to spend too much.

What about something like this. It's 9.0 so not too long but has heaps of volume, super stable, really tough! Either new or they tend to pop up on Gumtree.

catchsurf.com/products/log-90

Well it seems you don't need a legrope these days.

Good on you! Nothing improves skills quicker, than lots of practice. But agree with the boys, get some lessons with a quality surf coach. They will give you guidelines that will help keep you keen and save you heaps of time. Tell them what you are going to do and I'm sure they will give you lots of great tips. Have a great time!!!!

Get a surf teacher /coach around your local and befriend him !!!

Get a board with a lot of nose and tail rocker as this wil help you not nosedive as much. I took up surfing at 42 and hadn't been near the ocean for a good 20 years. Perseverance and paddle fitness is your friend.



Also also go to your local and find some old souls. They know where the waves will break.


Always surf with a smile

Totally agree with surfing with the older crew. Generally more helpful, more patient and more knowledgeable!!

Thanks for the all the responses lads.

Surf coach you say? Interesting. Will be looking into this. My biggest fear is getting in the way of others in the line up. That and I feel like Im to old for all this, which is a laugh considering Im only in my early twenties.

You don't need to fear getting in peoples way while your learning if you don't surf where everyone else is surfing. Its a long coastline & there are always plenty of waves away from everyone else even on the East coast. You don't have to surf the popular places, you don't have to surf the best waves. Just find a wave thats not dumping on a shallow sandbank or reef, a slow crumbler that gives you plenty of time to get to your feet. You will learn a lot faster if your getting lots of waves coz your not competing against other people while being concerned about getting in the way.

The only tip I can pass on is don't get bummed out if the surf is no good

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ColonelSanders said..
Thanks for the all the responses lads.

Surf coach you say? Interesting. Will be looking into this. My biggest fear is getting in the way of others in the line up. That and I feel like Im to old for all this, which is a laugh considering Im only in my early twenties.

I join you in that fear of getting in the way of others in the lineup. It's a never ending nightmare of mine, particularly when paddling out!
A coach/lessons is the best advice, as is hanging by the old guys - and those that are smiling, they don't need to be old.
I'm a perpetual beginner, and have been given some great advice in the water by those around me. Listen to what people have to say, and if someone is catching 10x more waves than you, and enjoying themselves, don't hesitate to ask for advice. Worst case scenario, they'll provide you with nothing, best case, your surfing particularly in that spot, may improve considerably.

In terms of a quiver, the main quiver to worry about at the moment is your collection of fishing rods and tackle... have you got enough?

If you are a beginner, just stick with one board. A soft top is a great option to start with, particularly a good quality, name brand soft top. It'll help ease your concerns about running into others in the surf.

My personal experience, having more than one board when learning will do more harm than good. Pick one board that'll be easy to learn on, then upgrade/add as your confidence grows. Gumtree is your friend.

Most importantly, post regularly to this forum as you travel and learn. It'd be great to hear about your travels and learning experiences, and there's a good chance you'll get to meet members of this forum along the way.

Cheers!

Make sure you get wax colonel

Great work mate. I'm really jealous!
Im 44 and just started myself too. I actually made my own first board. Probably not ideal now I know a little more about it all but it does the job and I love it. It's 9'x24"x2 3/4" single fin but I made the tail section a little too narrow and def not enough rocker for where I surf. I spend most of my time at Torquay and as a beginner all im concentrating on now is standing up and staying up so I spend all my time not too far off the beach whereas all the better surfers are about 2 breaks out further so essentially we never get in each others' way.

I dont think Ive ever had so much fun in a "hobby" before and never been into "sports" ever cos I was always VERY overweight but I cant wait to get out of work and go for a surf now!