Big Guy Beginner Surfing Advice -Why Do We Get It Wrong?

[@paul-hp1pi]

Good job! I wish I had this advice when I started surfing 10 years ago. My first board was a mini-mal without enough volume.

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks. Yeah, I just don't want people to make the same mistakes that I did.

[@nicjaysadventures3441]

I made the exact same mistake! Worked into a surf shop and they sold me a mini-mal. My big guys fun board has more volume than that mini mal! School of hard knocks

[@kylewattssurfing3266]

I'm 5 foot 8 220 lb and pretty athletic and this video was very helpful and thank you again

[@apimpnamedslickback9533]

kyle watts im sorry bro but you are out of shape... im 6’1 and weigh 215 you’re height vs weight is wayyy off my guy try going down to 195-190

[@Arlyneya]

Thank you so much for making this video! I am on the heavy side and have been losing a bit of weight, and ive always dreamed of learning how to surf. Im going to surf camp next week for my 32nd birthday... praying that by the end f the 2 weeks I can 1 ride just 1 wave, and 2... not drown :) lol

[@GoliathFins]

Excellent. Always good to hear someone getting into surfing. Enjoy

[@Defwish86]

I hope you had fun!!!

[@BangzHaus]

Thanks bro. 101kg 182cm. It's a struggle being in the line-up on less than 3ft waves and all the lighter people are catching waves earlier than you. Have to move lines or beaches or wait for 3ft+ days or wait til one of the little fellas to miss a drop in. Anyway you've made a great video bro, keep it up for all the big people. Cheers Syd Aus.

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks Syd. I also struggle when its small. I'm thinking about surfing mals a lot more ,so that i can actually get some waves off of the groms.

[@AllisonBurtenshawdeVries]

Don't forget if you're cold water surfing and wearing a chunkier wetsuit, to add extra weight in for that too using a volume calculator! I'm currently learning on a (very cheap second hand) funboard as a heavier girl in a cold water suit, and its more than a little bit of a challenge, we quite literally sink from time to time. Having fun but finally splurged on a larger board, can't wait to give it a go, and hoping all my effort on the little guy will give me a leg up once I have the proper kit in next week!

[@Fromatic]

How'd it workout? Find the bigger board helped but then you went back to the smaller? Im in 2 minds about getting a bigger foamy (55-60L) or accepting it will be trickier to begin with but could progress further with a smaller fish around 42-44L

[@AllisonBurtenshawdeVries]

@@Fromatic honestly I think the bigger board advice is worth it, I didn't end up going to foamie route but the inflatable surfboard route (pretty new but basically the same as isup tech, and the body glove one was well reviewed and comparable to a foamie but easier to transport)

[@twentyftswell]

Great advice Scott, read your MSW interview, good to see recognition for your work. Keep it up

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks. Yeah, it's nice to see the surf media taking notice of a much needed resource

[@buxtra]

Can't confirm this enough for beginners: take about 5 weekly lessons! You will be provided with the board that suits your body. Quick progression? They will provide you a shorter softtop. After 5 lessons you know if you wanna become a surfer. Buy a second or third hand same or slightly shorter board you took lessons on. Now train and practice your but and belly off. All kinds of surf will have learned you by now what stage you are now. Being in the line up with intermediates will be intimidating. Still wanne be a surfer? Get better. Therefore you need to make miles standing up on a bloody board. So keep training on the big board and learn to take off angled. Now buy a board that fits your home break. Big is nice. You'll be surfing weekly. Short is only surfing when the surfs up, which can be rare, depending where you live and given flexibility considering school, work, kids, wife and wheater. Optimal conditions always come with a crowded and experienced line up too. And you don't wanna kook it. So don't sell that first big sofftop you bought! 😆⚡🤙🏽

[@treyfisse3230]

The lost crowd killer is a winner no doubt

[@gabriel-xk1bg]

This video is a great guide for those of us who are big boys and we are going to learn surfing.🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks. Glad you like it

[@nottherealmccoy4955]

Great advice, you've put a lot of thought into this! Should be required viewing for anyone learning to surf :)

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks.

[@shaneparker2299]

Great help. I'm 270. Struggled half the summer to pull a 360 but finally did. I was guided towards the hyperlite 2020 time machine. Is this the type of board I should be trying tricks and airs on. I can stay in the wave for long periods of time. Its apparently a hybrid. Is surf style better? I do like less fins and more loose feel.

[@GoliathFins]

I'm glad you like the content. I'm not the best person to ask about above the lip surfing. But regarding the board, if your catching waves easy and it's fast and loose your onto a winner.

[@garysmith2983]

Thx Scott. Going to do a couple of intermediate sessions at the wave in Bristol next week. I can stand pretty well on my beginners board (HMS Ark royal) but it’s hard to manoeuvre, so not sure whether to take my own board or try one of theirs, which I suspect may be smaller, but I might struggle to stand up on. Thoughts, should I try a long board ?

[@GoliathFins]

Take your board and see if they have any high volume fish. Look at the Cre8tion Baboon as the sort of board that will help you progress. I'm not sure if they'll have anything similar at the wave.

[@jnoonanuk]

Hi, great video, quick question about the Firewire volume calculator. Firewire ask you to state your ability as beginner, beginner/intermediate, intermediate or advanced. How do you define what level you're at? For example, you've surfed for years but are now struggling with popping up or turning due to being out of the water for a while, yet once you're up you can turn ok, does that class you as intermediate or beg/intermediate? Thanks great channel by the way :)

[@GoliathFins]

There's not much difference in the volume range between ability levels. Look at volume for both beginner and beginner / inter and go for something in the middle. Or look at two stock boards in your volume range and go for the highest volume of the two. Foam is always your friend when your progressing. Or a third option, if you can afford a custom go to a good shaper and they'll sort you out. If your still struggling, DM me on Insta or Facebook. 👍

[@WobblePizza]

I'm 6'1" 105kg + surfing cold water with a 4/3 wetsuit. My beginner board is a costco Gerry Lopez 8' 75L and I'm swamping this thing when I stand and find it really unstable. Shoot for 9' 100L?

[@GoliathFins]

Hi. Yes the Gerry Lopez board is too small for you to learn on. Check out the Goliath Soft Top. That will give you some idea of the kind of board you should be learning on: www.bigguyboards.com/products/goliath-9-soft-top

[@WobblePizza]

@@GoliathFins Appreciate it!

[@dylanwirkus2119]

I’m looking at this olaian 500, to get started with 8’6, 23”,3.6 thickness 90 volume and I’m 6,0 240lb

[@GoliathFins]

Since making this video I designed this board specifically for heavier beginners: www.bigguyboards.com/collections/goliath-surfboards/products/goliath-9-soft-top

[@dylanwirkus2119]

@@GoliathFins that thing is beautiful, will look into it. Thanks !

[@Diggy2Dope]

I'm 6'6 175kg fairly athletic for my size. Any chance at me surfing at my size

[@GoliathFins]

Yes, but you would need a big board. I would start on an Stand Up Paddle Board. See if you can get hold of a relatively cheap one, or rent / borrow one. Message me on FB on Instagram (Bigguyboards) if you have one in mind and need further advice. Good luck.

[@craigcooper4810]

Hi I'm a bigger guy around 20 stone what would be the best surf board to buy also a complete novice cheers

[@GoliathFins]

Most beginner boards will not have enough volume. I have developed a board aimed at a heavier beginner surfer. This will help you progress as it as more float then other beginner boards: www.bigguyboards.com/collections/custom-collection/products/goliath-9-soft-top This is a mid price range board that is built to last.

[@bubatrilis5200]

TKS

[@paulyt1073]

Thank you for the very informative Video . Hows is your experience with duckdiving a board whih is around 50L? Is it possible to duckdive? I weigh 100 kg and I'm thinking about getting the Big Boy 23 (7ft 2'). I only hesitate because it is very important to me to be able to duckdive to get out easier in bigger surf. Thank you in advance! Greetings from Germany, Paul

[@GoliathFins]

Thank you for your kind words. Yes you can duck dive a board of that size. I wouldn't advise learning to duck dive on something with that much float though.

[@paulyt1073]

Awesome! Thank you for the quick response. 🤙🏽 it’s Very Good to get that information, since I live in the middle of Germany, I don’t have the opportunity to test out different kinds of boards. So buying a new surfboard for the upcoming surf trip is usually a hit or miss. 😀 have a great day!

[@AceHardy]

Good deeds 🙌💯

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks

[@laytonnatale4271]

6’ 7” and 300

[@GoliathFins]

You'll need at least 75 litres if your a beginner. Even more if you can find the right board.

[@SHEEPSXCLOTHING]

Just bought my son a board and he’s bummed I don’t have one. I’m 6’5 320lbs. Always skated but never had any larger friends to try their board so I’m good on a indo and skating. Living in Florida waves are definitely smaller. Any advice bud? Awesome video

[@GoliathFins]

I'd say start on a longboard. I've done a different video on this recently.

[@kylewattssurfing3266]

Very helpful yes

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks for getting in touch and sorry for the late response. I've just seen this and I'm not sure that i was getting notifications on comments. I'm glad that this has benefited you in some way. If you need any specific advice get in touch.

[@kylewattssurfing3266]

Awesomeness thxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@GoliathFins]

No worries. Thank you for your enthusiastic comment.

[@Al3xxx]

Hi mr Davies I