How And When To Progress From Your Beginner Surfboard

[@HowtoRip]

Changing boards up at the right time can make all the difference!

[@keno1069]

For me, I couldn't make the jump from an 8' long board to a 6' board. Maybe I'm just not athletic enough. I needed to get a 7' foam board, and then step down to a high volume fish. I really like my Odysea 6'6" Skipper Quad. It's foam, so it has heaps of buoyancy, but it's really fun. Keep your long board for a while because it's fun to surf on flat days. That's my suggestion. Enjoy surfing! The most important thing is to have fun. If you're having fun, you'll surf better, regardless of your equipment.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Exactly right!

[@nickwebby4091]

Thanks for this really informative video. I’ve been thinking about changing up from my beginner board but had no idea wither I was ready or not . Always fancied a fish but thought they were to small and to big a leap. Giving your dimensions and a recommendation as to board size ,shape and volume was immensely helpful. Thanks from NZ.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Hey Nick, thank you for your feedback, stoked that it helped you out. Let me know how you go with your new fish! Good luck

[@JjJj-he1lz]

Your videos are great and very informative. Thank you for your effort.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Glad you like them Ji, thank you for your kind feedback.

[@payton2232]

I have already progressed down to a short board but usually I ride a 5,6 fish and a 7,0 fun board depending on the waves🤙🏽

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Good choice!

[@MrMoppeh]

Cheers for this... honestly was reluctant to get my first board as i kept seeing forums / shops / videos advising beginners stick to 8ft foamies, kind of makes you question your confidence. But i pretty much hit the end of the progression checklist by the end of my first session renting one. got myself a 6 ft 8 as my first board cant wait to get back out on it

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Great to hear Neil, we all progress at different rates, so you just need to do what is best for you.

[@almonj6269]

Perfect vid and examples mate, thanks so much 🙏

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks for watching Al

[@death_knell]

Heyyo! Do you think you can make a video on how to pop up on fast, steep waves in perfect position please? 🌟

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Sure thing Angie!

[@death_knell]

@@TheSurfersJourney thank you so much! Looking forward to it!!

[@middleagedshred]

I tend to alternate between a 7'6 mini mal, a long 6'9 shortboard and a 6 foot fish depending on the conditions..Often the waves here are too small and weak for a shortboard...for me at least..)

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Sounds like a good combination

[@reboundpt4987]

Nice video. Are you able to duckdive 45 liters though?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

I have not surfed a 45 litre board in a long time, so I am not sure. I would think so.

[@luciddreamentertainment7045]

hi i’m on a 7’6 midlength and my pop up is fine and i have surfed 7 foot waves as well as gotten good at cutbacks. do you think that a 5’11 fish is a good board to progress to?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

It depends on what your goal is with riding a fish. If you are looking for increased manoeuvrability on smaller waves it could be a good option. I would recommend having a chat with a surfboard shaper to dial in your fish dimensions. Good luck!

[@giom5127]

I needed this so much thanks 🙏🏽

[@TheSurfersJourney]

No problem, thanks for watching!

[@alessandromorelli9412]

Great tips. Thank you.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thank you Alessandro

[@divkothari4339]

Great video brotha!!

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Thanks Div!

[@gabrielxai5321]

I've always had a shorty. I learned on a 6'6 board. Gotta admit, it was hard but still fun. I've never tried a long board, softie or a fish. My board is, and always has been a fun board. But now I'm really thinking of trying a fish or a softie. I know it's going to be way easier, but I really want to give it a shot. I just want to see how much easier it really is. My one concern is if I jump on one of these boards will it mess me up when I jump back on my fun board? Because technically... I'm going backwards???

[@kayferwoods4681]

Hey, if you don't mind me asking, would you recommend learning on a shortboard? How much time did it take you? I want to start and pretty much my only option is a 6'2 board. Thanks in advance.

[@gabrielxai5321]

No problem. I can only really speak on my own experience and the answer isn't easy one. So here I go, lol. Okay, so firstly, If you're going to jump straight onto a short board: don't get disillusioned, it going to take time. A LOT of time. Paddling is going to be your first hurdle. It's hard, VERY HARD. So give yourself every advantage you possibly can. My fun board is only 6'6 but the volume is high, it 40 liters of volume. If you're going to learn on a shorty then get a lot of volume. This will offset the length however stability is minimal. I'm thankful that I learned this way purely because (from what I've heard) long board to short board are almost 2 completely separate animals and and learning to center your gravity on a shorty takes a lot of practice. 2, So this is optional but it does help a lot. Get yourself a Bodyboard and wax it up really thick. The paddling of a bodyboard and a shorty are extremely similar, with the exception of the legs being involved. It will also help with getting that "looking down the line of the wave" on your take off. I found that hopping on a bodyboard helped my surfing a ton when I first started. 3, Give yourself the "Edge".... honestly get paddle gloves. I have a pair, and they really accelerated my progression. A lot of people don't like them because they can give a lot of resistance, and they can look a bit kooky. I bought H2Odesea's and I still use them for training or if the waves are harder to get on. If you find they are resisting too much, the solution is simple, "close your fingers". You don't always have to go turbo (full open) all the time. But they will improve your paddle strength very very quickly, and used correctly can give you a boost of speed to get on waves you wouldn't normally paddle for. 4, don't try to stand up too quickly, just like on the bodyboard, catch waves and bodyboard your surfboard back in, you need to "feel it out" what does It ride like? Where is it's balance point move around a bit and see where it sits in the water and feel out how stable it is on the wave. Then after a few waves its time to "Get up to your knees"... Then when you think you've got a good feel for your board, go for a full pop. Two step or chicken winging it at first, then try a pro pop. It can take a while as you don't have any extra board to help you out. 5, Keep paddling! Unlike learning on a long board you're just NOT going to catch waves on your first day out, or even your second or third. You need to remind yourself every time that you're learning on a shorty. And the softie and longboarders are popping on waves while you're perfecting your balance, paddle and drive. But once you've got it, you've GOT IT! and as a longboarder hits the shorty. They will almost have to relearn all their steps as there is no extra board or stability of the long board anymore. Longboarders can get away with small mistakes as the board will compensate, on a short board, you can't get away with that. If you try to paddle out like you're swimming freestyle or put too much roll into it, you're going to roll straight off your board. On a long board that doesn't happen anywhere near as much. Trust me when I say, you need to fight your own instincts. On your first day out you will be thinking. OMG! I think I just made the biggest mistake buying this board. You'll need to fight that thought and keep paddling, Keep trying. You WILL get there in the end. Surfers and surf schools always say to learn on a long board. This is mostly so beginners don't loose interest and can start catching waves quickly and work on the fundamentals of surfing. As you're starting on a shorty, you have no choice but to perfect each fundamental skill, one at a time. The board you're on will point out your mistakes as you can't get away with minor misses like the longboarders can. This is why learning on a shorty takes so long, and for kids and most beginners, it's not just recommended as many loose interest quickly because it is much harder. Be prepared to nose dive.... A lot! But by practicing nothing but talking off, and bodyboarding your surfboard back in. You'll see how the board acts and reacts in different conditions, and you'll be ready for it and can react to how the board moves, when you start popping you'll already know what your board is going to do. All I can say is, in my opinion, learning on a shorty is actually far better, because you're not trying to lump all the skills together straight away, the board forces you to learn each step one at a time. However, it can become repetitive and tedious, which isn't great if you want people to stay motivated. But if you're going to do it, and you're ready to commit 100% to learning on that board, refuse to give up, even when you get frustrated or down. You can learn on a shorty. Keep yourself motivated to keep going out again and again until you get it done. Set your goal and drive towards it. It much more of a mental game when learning on a shorty. Hope this helps.

[@gabrielxai5321]

@@kayferwoods4681 I almost forgot to answer part of your question. How long did it take me? Well given, I was a skater before I was a surfer, and everyone's different. Total time in the water before standing up, took me about 6 days, then to actually pump out, add another 3 days. Then I took some time on the bodyboard to get my head positioning and line of sight right. Took a day or so. Add another two days to paddle out, take off, and drive the line. So 12days all together. Approximately.

[@TheSurfersJourney]

It won't mess it up, but you may find the transition back a little tricky. The reduced responsiveness of a fish or longboard can make getting back onto the shorty, but you will adapt and get used to it. If a foamie or fish makes surfing more fun, then why not?!

[@TheSurfersJourney]

If it is your only option it is possible, but it can certainly be harder. If you can find a cheap second hand bigger board, that could be an option?

[@32srt32]

instructor told me i should size down to a 6'6" surfboard, any suggestions? he recommended the CI Rocket wide, but how much should i be spending on my first surfboard?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Many variables so very hard to answer, and that really depends on you. I would recommend trying before you buy, and shopping second hand in the early days. This makes more boards accessible and for a fraction of the price. It also helps you find what works for you and what doesn't.

[@32srt32]

@The Surfers Journey how do you try a board before you buy it? Do most surf shops do this or do I have to seek out specific shops?

[@KC-ro9ro]

whats the mid length model you recommend ? i cant see which model you show on the video, and theres so many different mid length on the market for different purposes

[@TheSurfersJourney]

I don't recommend any particular brand or model, I would recommend doing your own research of what is available and what might suit your surfing and the type of waves you want to surf it in :)

[@KC-ro9ro]

@@TheSurfersJourney what is the model you show on the video ? its just to get an idea of the shape type

[@jackfrench7240]

@@KC-ro9ro hi there mate. I learnt on an 8ft softie , then I have progressed to a 7’6 torq minimal. Still use this board (third year of having it) helped to progress .Always best to go to a good surf shop and ask them what they reccomend( that’s what I did here in England )

[@fghkufzc9833]

I attempt switching from 8’ to 7’6 foam board, lying on shorter board is already difficult enough for me to paddle cus it’s more unstable and less energy can pass to the board. That day I could not catch one wave😭😭😭 any advice on how to adjust to shorter board?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

It is always a challenge at the start, but you will find you need to work harder to catch waves. Good positioning, paddle harder and for longer than before...It could also be that the waves were weaker that day, which would make it harder again.

[@fghkufzc9833]

@@TheSurfersJourney may I know how long does it take for you to adjust from 8’ foam board to 6’ fish board? I was thinking to buy a easy carry board (funboard is hard to carry) and afraid that it is to hard to adjust.

[@henihig8968]

My first board was a 7’11 fiberglass board Learn how to surf on it and still fun after being more experience

[@paynethomas5945]

Been surfing longboards for almost 2 years especially my 9 foot. Just got a 5’11 fish and am having the worst struggle ever

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Huge drop in size and no doubt volume will certainly be a challenge. Anything around the 7'0 range that you could use in the interim?

[@martinlilly]

I want to change because its a hanlin getting my foam board into the car 😅

[@coolbeans4399]

I'm on a 9ft foamie bro... I'm going left and right , front side better and am starting to step back and turn ... Can I advance to a 7.6 minimal now ?

[@TheSurfersJourney]

Sounds like you could if you wanted, maybe try and hire or borrow one to see how it feels.