Catch Surf Beater Board

where are you located OP? you might be better off going to a local surf shop and getting a stubby board to learn and then continue to surf on.

a_pla5tic_bagwhere are you located OP? you might be better off going to a local surf shop and getting a stubby board to learn and then continue to surf on.

Located in CT, but surf robert moses beach in LI. Or in Rhode Island

54 feet??? Do you mean 5'4? Haha anyways if you're a beginner I would certainly recommend getting something longer than 5'4. Start out with like an 8 or 9 foot longboard.

You can go short, you just can't get a typical high performance shortboard. If you're going to go short, get something under 6 foot, at least 20" wide and make sure it has a filled out shape like this
http://www.pelicansurfboards.com/fish.html

or
http://www.cisurfboards.com/surfboards/average-joe/

as long as it has a higher volume than a pro shortboard you'll be ok and you can use boards like those on smaller days.

Look on CL for used long boards. Probably your best bet if you're going to go a bunch. Sell it when you want something shorter. Check shops too. Might even be able to find a dirt cheap one that needs repair. I got a good deal on my last one, just had to fix a ding. Might not be the best job ever but it good enough for the $ I saved.

The good thing about beaters is it can be used as a bodyboard or surfboard, if you want to use it as a surfboard though make sure you have fins, or else it will be very hard to edge and turn. Overall they are fun to mess around on

Honestly if you know how to surf and just want a cheap summer ride, that should shred. I like twin fins. Super fun, super slidey and pivoty. A 54" board, aka 4'6" is quite short though. Unless you're looking for a 5'4"? I see they have a 54" beater board, which I'm assuming is what you mean. Plenty of good people ride them in the summer, or to be funny in good waves. I've only ever seen kids on the 54" board though, the single fin one.

Longboards are fun and catch everything, and noseriding is super cool. But if you want to shortboard you'll end up selling it, unless you want to build a quiver.

Short, stubby, flat rockered boards are good if you know how to actually catch a wave and, well, surf. You can learn on one of course, but it will require more fitness and better waves. They don't ride 2" lumps like a longboard.

High performance shortboards are sort of silly in the summer (in jersey anyway), unless there's actually good waves. A small wave shortboard is a much better bet. Fine in the winter, of course.

If you can't reliably get into waves and get up and surfing, then maybe 4'6" would be very short for you, or if you're like six feet tall or something. If you want to build a quiver and surf more, and surf the summer only, might as well grab a longboard or small wave shortboard. I have a 5'4"x20.75x2.25 small wave stubby thing, a 5'5"x19"x2.25 good wave shortboard and a 6'4"x22" single fin that floats me so well I compete with longboarders for waves. I have a thread on the first two, I shaped them. I've never surfed a 4'6", but I'd imagine it would be quite fun once you got up and riding, especially as a twin. Those things are buoyant too.

What is your previous experience on/can you reliably get into a wave, get to your feet and surf?

thanks for the help boys.

Yeah I meant the 54 inch beater board. My mistake, Ill take all of your guys thoughts into consideration for buying!

i bought a 54'' twin fin like 2 weeks ago
its awesome for shitty conditions and its super fun. plus you can remove the fins for skimming, but skimming is lame so...