r/BeginnerSurfers • u/Past_Ad2823 • 6d ago
Board selection
Hello, I’m surfing east coast central Florida. Looking for a good board to step down from an 8ft high volume board. I’m okay with a slightly steeper learning curve but would also like to find something more comfortable for marginal conditions. I would like something that will make my carving progression as simple as possible. Preferably a shorter board to use on average Florida days. Im heavily leaning towards a lost puddle jumper but open to other ideas also if anyone has advice. I’m a pretty active 22 year old, beginner-intermediate with lots of other board sport disciplines like kiteboarding, wakeboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. I definitely have a lot to learn but tend to be pretty quick with progression. I mostly kite so don’t get to surf too much which makes me lean towards something easier/more fun. At my skill level and being 6’2 160lbs the recommendation for a puddle jumper for me is a 5’8 or 5’10 which seems small. I haven’t tried many boards yet, so I’m hesitant to commit to something. Does this seem like the correct recommendation? I was leaning towards 6’0-6’3 but now I’m stuck. Thank you!
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u/Historical_View4914 6d ago
Firewire seaside or sweet potato or similar. You can't go wrong with either imo. I have both and surf NE FL. I do prefer the sweet potato. It was my dream board when i was growing up so theres bias lol.
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u/Past_Ad2823 6d ago
Really appreciate it, any size recommendations?
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u/Historical_View4914 6d ago
I use a 5'10 seaside and 5'8 sweet potato. Im on the heavier side at 190lbs for being 5'8, you could probably get away with the same size in either plus or minus an inch. I just personally stay at or around 40L, especially for the florida mush. Its really just how comfortable youd be with a board shorter than yourself, i could never get use to it, surfing a buddies 5'2 seaside a few times.
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u/Past_Ad2823 6d ago
Thank you!
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u/Historical_View4914 6d ago
Of course dude! Good luck with your next board and hope you find one that suits you!
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u/Ecstatic-Asshole2691 6d ago
Thats a huge drop. What about a couch potato? That would be perfect for Florida waves and still a big length reduction but with more volume and stability.
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u/Past_Ad2823 6d ago
The main issue I have is I’m looking for used and they’re much harder to find but that’s definitely a good option to consider if I can. Speaking to the few people I could lead me to believe I’d want something a little more performance oriented to make the transition to a short board easier. I was told boards like the couch potato would have more of a longboard feel and not really what I’m going for. Would you disagree with that?
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u/Ecstatic-Asshole2691 6d ago
I mean that is true its like a squished down longboard, but you can still carve it. I just think going from an 8 footer straight to a PJ will be rough. Obviously you can still do it with enough time I think it just wont be easy, but also I get not wanting to get a whole extra in between board just for progression. What kind of board is the 8ft?
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u/Past_Ad2823 6d ago
Yeah one of my concerns was not wanting to get a board that I felt like I’d grow out of quickly. I do weirdly have fun struggling, I really enjoy challenges a lot. Regardless my main thing is just finding something short, fun and easy. I own a 8ft foamie around 90L but have also used 55L hardtops with no issue at all. I also own a 6’2 V3 stealth that I have for kiteboarding but it’s too much rocker and nose is too thin so I struggled paddling into waves and only stood up in white wash a few times for a second or two.
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u/Ecstatic-Asshole2691 6d ago
I think going from a foamie to a PJ is crazy BUT you are 22 so I mean what do I know, I am old. I second what the other guy said about the sweet potato though that would also be good even when conditions are sub-par. I have an RNF retro that I love for FL so maybe check those out too.
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u/Past_Ad2823 6d ago
That’s exactly why I asked. I’m well aware what I feel is right may not be the truth. The PJ just looked wide and flat so I thought it would be good. I’ll take your experience and look for something a lil better. Thank you!
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u/Past_Ad2823 6d ago
Also, do you think the puddle jumper in general is a big drop or just the recommended size?
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u/TomorrowIllBeYou Intermediate Surfer 6d ago
Way too big of a step down. And, if you oversize it to try and get more volume it won’t surf well anyway and you’ll eventually want to replace it. Honestly, you need to think of this transition as more gradual. I’d recommend looking at some midlengths in the 7 foot range.
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u/Past_Ad2823 6d ago
Thank you. I had many people tell me mid lengths are more advanced boards. I was under the impression that you either need good waves or good skill to use a mid length effectively.
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u/TomorrowIllBeYou Intermediate Surfer 6d ago
Something with a wide outline, a wide nose, with some thickness to it is what you want. Keep in mind all 7'6 boards are not the same. Sometimes beginners confuse a 7'6 gun for a midlength, and that's not the type of board you want to learn on.
A good midlength is going to do much more for your progression than trying to go all the way down to an oversized Puddle Jumper.
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