Surfboards?

East coast surfing? hahahahha

I think starting out on a fish is a pretty good idea. that way you can learn to pop up pretty easy and then move onto a more performance board. also, you can ride a fish forever, whereas a funboard would only be good for learning to pop up and then throw it in the trash.

just go to a surf shop and tell them you're a beginner. they're not gonna hate on you for a being a noob, just tell them whats up..dont let them try to talk you into a getting a longboard. get a wetsuit too.

OP, do not listen to this guy, who is an obvious kook who dropped 8 hundo on a shitty merrick.

a wetsuit is not needed? seriously? i surf in new england where i wear one almost year round, and im pretty sure in NC youre gonna be wearing one from like mid october through may.

OP, do not get a foam board. that would be like getting snowblades to learn how to ski. its jsut gay.

7S makes some decently priced boards you might wanna look at.

I started last year. Went and got a used 6'4'' Chaize, a board made by a shaper in Asbury park for you NJ kids. I can't remember the exact dimensions, but it has a bit more volume than most boards that length, gentle rocker, rounded pintail and the widest point is pushed to the front a little. It supposed to be designed for jersey conditions. I learned to pop up and basic stuff, and was beginning to learn to turn it but by then it was september and time for school. Then I tore my acl skiing and haven't been in the water since the end of september last year. Sad story boo hoo...

I caught on faster then my friends who had some experience but were on more pro shaped boards: really thin, more rocker and about the same length. And a wetsuit would be nice. I never had one, but even in june I wish I had something and yet sitting out there freezing my ass of was totally worth it. And don't worry about looking like a fool, I went out with about no experience (but coordination from skiing, skateboarding etc) and did fine. Most importantly I had fun. I stayed away from crowds though, until I could catch a wave properly. And you're in Nc, last time I was there the water was soooo warm.

And the funny thing is, even in the most crowded conditions I've seen at the break where I surf, the majority were older folks learning, and a couple of good older people. They were totally cool with me learning, since they kinda were too. No obnoxious 14 year olds who try to take every wave and screw up.

look at buying from a local shaper. the local guys know what works in the crud around here and shape their boards accordingly.

this for sure... especially if you are on the east coast

Thanks for all fo the advice guys. I actually talked to a local shaper for atleast an hour and he went over all of the basics with me, he even took me to the back of his shop and showed me how he makes his boards, so ill prob try and pick up a Fish from him.

is there a surfing cult?  i searched, but i all i saw was the "surface" cult

i got my first surfboard used, you can pick one up pretty cheap that way. i'm sure talking to a shaper and getting one that way is also a solid route to take. I would advise getting one decently wide and thick (something 2 1/2" or more) this will provide more buoyancy which will help you paddle faster, thus making it easier to catch waves.

good luck man, nc gets some good swell from time to time, i have not surfed wilmington at all but have spent some time in the outer banks up by hatteras, nags head, and carolla and they definitely get solid waves up there

i surf the east coast and waves can be kind of hard to find occasionally, but we manage. oh and i started on a 7' 5" Austrailian surfboard and loved it, great to learn on but then you can move onto smaller preformance boards for tricks and what not, but long boarding is dope. lol.

just don't expect to be riding a shoulder on your first day with a 5'6''. not gunna happen.

peace coast surfing represent

I actually surfed South Carolina this past winter and was glad I brought my 3/2 with me.  Definately needed it.  And it's not hard to find a deal on Merrick surfboards.  Personally I would never ride one but to each his own.  Way to expensive and can get local shapers to build normally for cheap.

- karma to you for sounding like a tool.

And to be honest about what board to get, good thing you talked to a shaper.  However, I will say that a fish is a great board!  Depending on the style, a retro fish may not be what your looking for.  I recently rode a WRV Nugget that is a 6'3 x 20 3/4 or 21 inch wide x 2.75 thickness.  I'm 6'2 and 200lb and this thing moves me man.  Wide, low rocker and quick.  I got on my shortboard then (6'7 x 20.00 x 2.5) and lots of rocker and the difference is huge.  I had a Blue previously that was 7'6 and was good to learn on, however I felt I outgrew the board really quick.  Like others in the forum, I would suggest going with something that's fat and beefy, low rocker for smaller waves.  However, this all depends on the size of you and what your looking to get out of riding.  Long rides = longboard.  More performance, definately a shorter board, however I've seen some longboarders rip.

haha ok kook.

Ahh surfing, this topic makes me smile!

I'm rather new to the sport too, been a couple times tho so I kinda know what I want to get.. but my threads for a little more info.

just to brag a bit, super stoked on whiskey militia.  Just picked up a 4/3 suit for 115 shipped!