Choosing the best surfboard for your weight, height and ability is hard sometimes. Many surfers actually believe that they are better surfers than they really are, so they tend to choose surfboards that do not match their ability. Some people choose surfboards that are for kids and the surfer weighs over 200 lbs. Some others pick out boards that look good but are not made for the wave that they surf everyday. So I have come up with a few easy tips that should help you be able to pick out a surfboard that you will actually be able to catch and ride waves with.
#1). Always watch what types of surfboards that the local surfers are using at the breaks that you want to surf. If they are able to catch and ride waves like you want to be able to surf, then find out where they got their surfboard.
#2). Avoid one of the most common mistakes that I have seen surfers make over the years, make sure to buy a surfboard that has enough floatation to hold your weight.
#3). Never buy a surfboard because of the way it looks. We are looking for performance and pretty surfboards are not always the best for performance.
#4). Think about safety and control of the surfboard. If you buy a board that is very pointed, get a nose guard for it.
#5). If you are a strong paddler and you have plenty of experience, you can surf on any surfboard, but don’t let your ego pick the surfboard. Most of the time thicker and longer surfboards catch more waves.
So, you have already purchased a surfboard and you can’t catch any waves, right? I bought my first surfboard in 1979, it was to short for me though, but I still managed to catch a wave and stand up the first day. It took me 6 months to stand up again and I tried almost everyday. I was obsessed with being able to surf.
You do not have to go through what I had to. I know surf lessons are expensive and some teachers just don’t cut it. If I would have taken just one or two lessons I would have been surfing in less than a week. I have seen so many surfers improve fast after they have taken a few lessons.
In fact I had the pleasure of helping out the Billabong surf school for a few years in Florida. Even though I had been surfing for 25 years, I learned so much from watching how they taught the new surfers. My surfing improved tremendously in a short time. So, if you get some lessons and follow the tips above for picking out the correct surfboard, you will excel in surfing in no time at all.
