Best board bet for a really fresh beginner

[Eurico]

Hi All,

I recently moved to the Gold Coast and besides skateboarding every now and then when I was much younger (I'm 34 now) I have never surfed before.

In my first and only lesson so far the instructor said that I was doing very well, (due to a long history in martial-arts and acrobatics, I think) and when I asked him if should I take more lessons, he advised me to buy a board (minimal or fun between 7' and 8') and I did it. I bought a 7' fun and have been trying hard everyday for the last week.

It's possible for me to swap this board for a minimal until next week, as a sort of guarantee the shop gave me. And as I have been struggling to catch a wave properly (I can only stand in small waves which does not have enough power to be hidden for more than a couple of seconds) here it goes a couple of questions: should I swap this board for a minimal?; and/or should I try more classes?

I'm managing fine to paddle across the breaking point and in very rare moments when I can catch one of the average size waves I'm wiped out... Mainly with board's nose diving down and throwing me ahead...

Any help?

Cheers,
Eurico

[DaneAU]

what are the boards ? Can you perhaps post an image - is it one where they are covered in a material kind of thing ? If i were you i would stick to something with a bit of size (length and beef) till you can master catching and standing up. Its very common to nose dive and get worked when learning, especially on larger waves... Keep trying on smaller waves and get the hang of standing up and controlling the board under your feet. That way when you do get into a tricky situation such as nose diving you more than likely will be able to control the board and get out of that situation, it takes a fair bit of time to gain the skills in surfing, depending on your ability, it sounds like it won't take to long for you though

If i were you i would stick at it and just keep surfing till you crack it and work it out, if in a few months time you have not noticed improvement, then perhaps go and have another lesson and get some feedback. Don't forget the surfers out there with you are more than likely just as good for learning off as a instructor, so always watch others when they surf and take note of how they do things, this will all help you on your quest to surf proficiently

[Eurico]

Hey Danoz!

Thanks for your support.

I did swap the fun board for a 7' minimal and though I'm still struggling a lot apparently the board has helped as I'm now able to catch a very few of the average size waves every now and again and ride it for a bit longer.

Now, as you said, skills it'll come with time and practice. So I'll be dedicating a couple of hours almost every day and hopefully I'll improve fast enough to take more fun out of my short time available.

Cheers,
Eurico

[DaneAU]

Awesome

takes time - so make sure you just keep surfing