How do you know what surf board is best for you?
351254
As Bogey said before, its best to ask your local surfboard dealer and see what they think. Be honest about your ability and experience. I see too many people that cant surf and will never learn to surf properly simply because they are riding a board that is not suitable to their weight, height or skill level. \n\nHeres a little bit of help for you anyway, just a few examples.\n\nHeight in CMS to what kind of Starter board you would probably need, for two to five foot surf. These are probablys and not definitleys, because its still best to check em out yourself with your dealer.\n\nSomeone 150 CMS would want something around 5'8 and up\n        160 CMS would want something around 6'2 and up\n        170 CMS would want something around 6'6 and up\n        180 CMS would want something around 6'10 amd up\n        190 CMS would want something around 7,2 and up\n        200 CMS would want something around 7,6 and up\n\nYour weight is the most important issue, if you are too heavy for a certain board, it will sink when you stand on it. \n\nWhen learning its best to use a board about 2.5 Inches thick and about 21 Inches Wide.\n\nAs said before Fun Boards are pretty good for people startin out, get an NSP board or something like that.\n\nHope this helps you out. Have fun.
321773
Southern White Pine.\n\nKnown for it's strength and height. Your best sturdy boards are made of it. ..and cost worthy.
409020
There's a small surf shop at the north end of downtown Lahaina (on Front St) that rents boards and soft surf racks.  Good selection, not too pricey, and the dude that owns the shop is pretty laid back.
379757
Obviously water temp and weather is major factor, as most people here have pointed out. Fairly obvious I think. \n\nBUT, there's more to it than that...\n\n1. Yes, boardshorts will give you the most freedom and flexibility. \n\n2. However, unless you're in the tropics with really hot conditions, some kind of rubber is usually nice. Even in Hawaii or Indo the wind can get chilly out in the water and a vest or long sleeve top can offer some extra warmth and protection. \n\nSpeaking of protection...\n\n3. Surfing is a rough sport. Not only do you have the bottom to contend with, you've also got a hard fiberglass surfboard that loves to smack into your arms, knees, and chest when you're learning to surf. \n\nQuick story:\n\nI grew up surfing in Santa Cruz, wearing a full wetsuit and booties all year round. I fantasized about moving to Socal or Hawaii and surfing in trunks. When I finally did move to San Diego, it was August and the water was really warm. I threw on my boardshorts and paddled out. \n\nWhat a shock!\n\nMy ribs got bruised and sore from lying on the board without those 3mm of rubber in between. My shins and knees got all banged up on the board. And  my thighs got all rashed up from rubbing on the rails. \n\nBottom line: rubber is great! The latest lines of wetsuits are so soft and smooshy and flexible, that flexibility has become almost a non-issue. \n\nI highly recommend wearing some kind of rubber, even if it's just a wetsuit top or springsuit. Long-sleeve springsuits are great because they're thin, flexible, keep you warm, keep you protected from nicks and bruises, and, unlike a short-sleeve springsuit, you won't get a farmer's tan on your arms ;)\n\nAnd, to bring it full circle back to the performance issue, that tiny extra bit of flexibility you get from wearing boardshorts is nothing compared to the confidence-boost you'll get from wearing some rubber. Just by being warm and comfortable and knowing that you're somewhat protected if you hit the bottom, that alone will get you to your feet quicker and surfing more aggressively. \n\nHave fun!
719644
what kind of surfers do i like?  what r u asking there miss?
16259
Depends on what you want to be doing with the board. If you're just beginning, a medium sized board might be your best option. Something that comes upto your nose probably. Try a 167 board or so. Though I assure you when you buy a board, someone can give you more specific help on that, and it's best to go to a store and talk to someone, to find the right amount of flexibility for your weight, etc
439323
Yeah Ive surfed for more than 12 years now. \n\nAdvice to someone who hasn't surfed would be to get a board that is long, and will be easy to paddle.  Ask the guys at the surf shop they will help. \n\nBuying the wrong kind of surfboard will stop your progress. It has to be suitable to your height , weight and skill level.\n\nBefore you go in the water see what the waves are doing, if you're new to surfing you wont want to get right out far, get waist deep in the water, get a feel for your board. And practise catching the broken waves. Get comfortable doing that, just riding them straight into shore. That will be fun for a little while.\n\nOnce you've learnt how to paddle and catch the waves properly you can try standing up.  It takes a ton of practise so don't be discouraged.
698550
Out of the brands you have listed i would probably go for Sims as i have ridden one of there boards ( the fader ) before and really liked it. Ive ridden a morrow board before and hated it as it felt really stiff and heavy, but it doesent mean that its nessesarily a bad make its just that particular board didn't suit me. Out of the other companys you have mentioned i have never ridden any of there boards so its hard to give an accurate idea of which are the better ones. But M3 are quite respected and had an excellent team a few years back so they would be good, and LTD and Lemar are known for selling cheap but really good value for money boards and would be worth a try. \nSo if i were you i would go for Sims first them M3 and then probably Lemar. To be honest all these brands are ok you don't need to go for Burton like most of the people on this site think. I imagine that most of the people who rate them so highly have never ridden any other board and just like them as they are the most hyped brand. Yeah they are good but so are many other companys out there which sell boards at alot more reasonable price. Hope this helps you a bit
937474
This is one of the most asked questions here. Here is an answer I gave another person awhile ago:\n\nhttp://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgESUtVMj3W.xEutZUTQZs3sy6IX?qid=20060703151316AA3XHPR\n\nThe best option is to go to a resort that has a good Demo shop, that way you can try before you buy. If you can't do that go to a good board shop and not a big box store (like Big 5 or Copelands) as the people working at the board shop will probably have a better idea as to what they are talking about.\n\nThere are tons and tons of choices out there. When buying a board you need to ask yourself a few important questions.\n\n1.)How good am I?\n2.)How much do I ride?\n3.)Where do I ride?\n4.)What conditions do I ride most?\n5.)What type of rider am I?\n\nThese will help you determine what board is going to be best for you.\n\nBoards specs are confusing but I'll try and breakdown the important ones for you and what you need to look for in them.\n\nLength. There is no right or wrong length as different lengths are better for different styles of riding. Remember that your height has nothing to do with it as a board has no idea how tall you are. Most boards have a range of weights that they are suited for. Generally, a longer board is more stable and requires a bit more from it's rider to perform well and a shorter board is less stable but very easy to manuever. For the most part, freeriders who are riding powder or at very high speeds like a longer board and park riders (especially jibbers) like shorter boards for their reduced swing weight and extra manueverability. Off the top of my head I'd recommend a board no shorter than a 154 for you.\n\nWidth. This is possibly the most important measurement. How big are your feet? You should ride a board that is wide enough that your heels and your toes are just above their edges. If you have too much toe or heel drag you will hang up on your turns (excess toe drag leads to excess chin drag). If your board is too wide then it will increase the effort it will take to get the board over on edge. I've actually torn the arch of my foot riding a board that was too wide (yeah, it hurt). Go for the narrowest board possible as the performance gains of quick edge control far outweigh the minimal benefit the extra width will gain you in deep snow. It's a good idea to bring your boots with you to the shop to help with this.\n\nSidecut. When you look at a board you can see that the sides of it are cut in. If you use your imagination, you can see that this cut actually begins the arc of a circle. A board with more cut draws a smaller circle and is better suited for smaller turns. A board with less cut draws out a bigger circle for bigger turns. Generally, park riders like a board with more cut as they need that added manueverability to line up the features in the park. A freerider is usually riding faster and making bigger turns than a park rider so they usually go for a board with less cut. Also, a board with deeper cut can "hook" in powder a bit. Keep in mind that it is easier to get a longer turn out of a board with more cut than it is to get a shorter turn out of a board with less cut. (am I confusing you yet?)\n\nFlex. This is the most subjective part to buying a board. A stiffer board is much more stable and responsive but requires more attention from it's rider and will fatigue you more. A softer board is very comfortable and easy to ride but will not respond as well or be as stable, especially at speed. Jibbers like soft boards as they are less likely to hook up on the rails and freeriders like the response of stiffer boards. Most boards these days are built with a flex pattern, meaning that they can be stiff in a certain aspect and soft in another. A great park board will have a stiffer tip and tail for better pop and stability in landing but will have a soft torsional (side to side) flex that will help on the rails or when coming up a little short landing
1114939
What?  Everyone recommending minimum  8 ft as a longboard?\n\nThe guy is 6-1, minimum 9 ft.  It depends on what you want to do.  9-6 to 10-0 is common.  If your break has some pretty lazy waves, you can go bigger (up to 12 ft) for that easy paddle.\n\nConcentrate on thickness for your weight.  It all depends on what you like.  If you don't know how to surf, get something you can handle.\n\nLook through the annual board issue that Surfer usually puts out, or pick up any surf mag to see different styles.  Its all a personal choice and how fit you are (or want to be).
112378
Surfing seems really cool. Is it a lot like snowboarding, if you know? I heard that it's really hard because when you push against the water you just fall, so you have to have wicked balance.\n\nI just like surfing & sports in general. Been wanting to try it for a while.
119919
You can use surfboard wax, available at most sporting goods stores...or on Ebay if you are in the middle of nowhere.
259558
I wouldn't recommend buying a surfboard online.  For instance, there could be pressure dings and cracks that the picture doesn't pick up, and shipping can also be somewhat of at b*tch.  If you live in or near Encinitas or Solana Beach then you might check out the Surfride shops on the 101 Coast Highway.  There's one just north of Encinitas on the 101 North past Encinitas Blvd. and one just south of Pipes in Solana Beach  They both have excellent selections, or you could ask around, but I still recommend against buying online.
1139730
Give me the money and 30 plus years to pursue the dream and I'd do it in an instant.  I've surfed big waves but its been 10 years since anything more than 15 foot faces.  Laird is recognized as the finest big wave surfer in the world and is unique even in their ranks...considered to be better than anyone and able to do things most professionals would not attempt.
809190
Ok.\n\nFirst of all, A board. Since your first starting to skate, you wanna get a good street board. From my view, ZERO is the best board to start with, they are easy to get used to, and have a lot of pop to get your ollies down. Other people have told me that Alien Workshop is also a really good beginners board, and they seemed pretty good boards....\nStay away from Birdhouse, [which is REALLY heavy, you will never be able to ollie with that], Blind [cheap and flimsy] and Element [Widely made, and made cheaply]. Believe me, get a Zero or an Alien Workshop.\n\nNext is shoes. It really doesnt matter what shoes you get [I like etnies, globe, and osiris], they are really all the same. It seems harder to ollie with DC's, but people i know can do just as good with them.\n\nBy far, the best truck brands are Phantom 2, and krux. I have heard Grind King are good, but i know personally that Phantom 2 and krux are reeeeaaallllyyyy good.\n\nAsk anyone, Zero Black Widow Bearings are by far the best bearings.\n\nSpitfire are the same for wheels.\n\nYou don't really have to completly dress like a skater, like the girl said, but dont wear like Abercrombie and skate, unless u wanna be called a poser. So if you want, get some skating brand shirts and hoodies, or just normal clothes that feel comfartable. [A t-shirt and blue jeans work fine for me...]
430647
before you sell your idea I hope you patented it. go to www.uspto.gov , check if ur idea is already established , if not file for a patent and then ask the main surfboard makers if they are interested in buying your idea
955497
Burton is by FAR the best. The only problem with them is they are marketing geniuses and know a thing or 2 about getting your hard earned cash. My Burton Canyon is now called a Baron and has a $100 higher price tag. They are the EXACT same board. Stood them up side by side at the board shop, same EXACT info on the tags and everything. Like I said, it's all marketing, but they do put out a quality product. One of those love/hate deals, lol.\nI have Ride boots and Bindings, had em for 6 years now so they definitly can take the wear and tear. Saloman makes some nice stuff too as well as K2-good boards.\nWhen I bought my canyon, I bought one from the year before that the board shop had in the back of the rack. Caught a NICE discount.