[dexterbuzz]

Hi all,

I gues this question has come up a thousand times, but hey, I'll ask it anyways.

I'm completely new to surfing, never tried it, never been on a board before, but it's something I've always wanted to do and I'm going to take the opportunity now to learn or else I never will.

My question is one of which board to get?

I've looked at nearly every website etc that exists and spoken to all my surfing mates and the advice is all different and my head is starting to explode!

I can either go for a longboard, about 9' or so, or a mini mal at about 7'6 upwards.

I'm about 6' and nearly 14 stone, but I guess it might help to shed some of the excess weight and get a bit fitter too!

Can someone please offer me some advice as to which way to go please?

I'd have to say that I prefer the look of the mini mal but obviously it's not all about looks I know. I'm reasonably fit, but at approaching 40, I know i've got limited stamina and cant paddle all day like youngsters can. I'm not looking to try and be all cool with a shortboard on the beach, I just want to fulfill a long term ambition and ride a few waves. I know I'll probably never be doing any tricks or stuff like that, but i'd like to be good enough to one day use the 6'8 neil perrow board I've got as a goal.

any help/advice would be gratefully received.