[dragonflyvic]

Hi
I know there are lots of similar questions on here but here goes....
Just started surfing recntly, doin ok, been riding a mini mal, but now looking into buying my own board not sure what to do! im a girl and weigh eight stone and am 5'2 so find it a little hard to negotiate a mini mal in the water, a friend suggested trying a slightly shorter board, but as it is my first i don't want to get ahead of myself! what do you think?
many thanks,
Vic x

[OP]

I can see that a mini mal could be hard for you. I suggest maybe a Bunty retro fish, they have quite a wide nose and are quite stable. FSC down the train station end has a selection of them, keep thinking of getting one too. They good in all conditions so will last for years. Where abouts are you? in Newquay??

OP

[batesy boarder]

hi vic i am in the same boat as u im just learning to surf,im movin to newquay in april and want a begginers boared.

[razzler176]

I have a 7ft 6ins Mini Mal for sale, ideal beginners board:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MESE%3AIT&rd=1

[jamesring]

Dont be persuaded to go for a too short board because although it will be easier to handle in the water when your not up, when you stand up they are seriously difficult. Ive written a mini essay in reply to a first surfboard question in the 'First Board' thread by 'Joey' 3rd down in the 'Learning to surf' section of the forum. His requirements are slightly different to yours but its the same principle. The Spider Boards shop in Newquay might be good for you as they have some minimal type shapes but in smaller lengths, although they are quite pricey.

James

[Yeo-Thomas]

Originally Posted by OP

I suggest maybe a Bunty retro fish, they have quite a wide nose and are quite stable. FSC down the train station end has a selection of them, keep thinking of getting one too. They good in all conditions so will last for years.

Just thougt I'd recommend the Bunty too - I bought one a few months ago, a 6'6" from FSC (cost £350 inc. bag, leesh and some wax) and I'm very pleased with it. I'm not very tall (for a bloke) at 5'9 and weighing in at 10 and a half stone.

First time up on it, it was like trying to skate on ice - I wiped out many a time in the first session. But I gritted my teeth, adjusted where I was on the board and paddled harder For comparison I tried a 7 or 8 foot board this weekend past and it was like riding a plank of wood Easy to get going but it didn't feel as much a challenge as the Bunty. Nor did it feel as fast or responsive. I suppose it all depends on what you want out of surfing!

Btw, the advice I've heard from a number of shops is to go for something that's more than 6" longer than you (so 5'10"). Oh, and other advantages of a shorter board is they're a damn site more handy when you're out of the water!

Good luck choosing.