Beginner surfers often want to purchase short boards like they see in the movies but the should know What Are Good Surf Boards for Beginners. Most beginners underestimate the technicality of surfing and the physical demands. Little boards require too much of beginners.
The first thing beginners have to master is the timing and rhythm. There is a sequence from spotting a wave to riding it to the beach The surfer has to over come the overwhelm most beginners feel and learn to focus on each step of the process. Because paddling, catching waves, and popping up all require practice and effort, the surfer wants an easy board to learn.
Surfboard Sizes by Weight
I start kids under 90 pounds on a 7′ soft top. Over 90 pounds to 110 pounds I use an 8′ soft top. From 110 pounds to 180 pounds I use a 9′ soft top. Over 190 pounds I use a soft top that has extra volume meaning it is 24″ wide and 3.5″ thick. This will float people up to 240 pounds. If people can’t get to the water often, it is best they stick with these boards. I recently had 15 foreign high school students from 120 to 160 pounds and they loved the 9′ soft tops.
Beginners that are overweight, not strong enough to do push ups, and not flexible enough to touch their fingers to their toes (just one measure of flexibility) are going to have difficulty on any board. Stamina can also be an issue for sedentary people because paddling is like swimming intervals and very tiring. Along with the performance of the board, surfers have to have bodies that can learn and perform. Beginners also have to be coordinated in that their brains and bodies have to be able to learn which becomes more difficult as adults get older. As people get older from high school on, they stop learning new physical movements.
Master the Techniques First
After the beginner has mastered the techniques of catching waves, popping up, and riding to the beach they can start paddling out to catch bigger foam waves and then small real waves. The soft tops perform admirably. They can then progress to riding bigger real waves by learning the timing of catching a real wave, bottom turning into the pocket, and driving the pocket. Then comes the cut backs and accelerating the board for speed.
Progress only comes if surfer can get to the water often. Infrequent surfers will want to keep the high volume boards so they can paddle long enough to enjoy and hour session. Longer sessions require more stamina and strength. In this process, the surfer is also developing comfort in the ocean and courage. Competence increases courage. Courage is necessary to brave real waves which can really wreck people who are not competent.
Moving to a Real Board that is Shorter
At this point a surfer is an intermediate and can consider a real board. They should only move down in length 6″ at at time maintaining the width and thickness of bigger boards The width should be at least 21″ and the thickness 2 3/4″ This will keep paddling relatively easy and catching waves easier, and popping up on real waves more stable. The smaller the volume the more twitchy a board will feel catching waves if the surfer doesn’t have a great pop up.
A surfer does not have to move to a shorter board. They require a lot of athleticism. Moving to a same length board as the soft tops or to a longer board like a 9’6″ is also very common. A surfer will not be alone riding a 9’+ plus board as a large number of surfers have found they are most competent on higher volume boards and it is more enjoyable because they are easier.
The most important point is having fun. The surfer should ride a board that is sufficient for his size, strength, stamina and skill and try to get as many rides as possible in a session. That is really the objective of most surfers. Ride a lot of waves and have fun. Moving to smaller boards to look cool results in lots of frustration and not looking cool.
Read Other Posts:
Beginner Surfers Learn on Soft Tops
5 Steps to Improve Surfing Performance
3 Ways to Catch Real Surfing Waves
Training to Ride the Surfing Short Board
Short Board Surfing Techniques
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