Hi there, I'm about to buy my first board! I've been surfing for a month a mate's malibu and I want to buy a mini mali. I'm 172cm and about 68 kg. Is there a big difference between a 7'2 and 7'6?? If i buy a 7'6 wouldn't it be too big once I improve?? I'll be surfing once a week I think, hopefully twice!!

Cheers

If it's a mini mal that you want, 7'6" will be great. If you want to progress to a short board, I wonder if 7'2" might be too big.

Assuming they are a relatively similar shape I'd say go the 7'6". That extra volume will help you with your paddling and increase your wave count that bit more. And the more waves you catch the better.

I've still hung on to my first 7'6" that I learnt to surf on. Don't get caught up in thinking shorter will make you rip. On the smaller points I've had some of the best surfs of my life on that thing.

Let us know how you go and throw some pics up if your still unsure.

I learnt on a 7'2" and I was about your weight and a couple inches taller.

As the guys have said, the 7'6" will get you on your way a bit quicker, but I feel that you may want to trade it for something smaller sooner... so, you may get a bit longer out of a 7'2" board as it still has plenty of volume for someone your size (I ride a 7'3" fish and I am around 112kg).

Go the 7'6. Will be good to start on. Then when you want to go shorter drop down a long way to 6'6 or so, but keep the 7'6. You now have a quiver for a large range of conditions.

Then a fat retro fish, and a 9' single fin longboard, and a twinfin, and a quad, and a bigger shed...

Look for good quality second hand boards at ~half price.

Plenty of good advice there. At your weight you can easily surf a short board. See if you can get to ride a few shapes and sizes before you part with your ca$h.
Some surf shops have demo boards also. Enjoy your surfing.

Cheers