Hi everyone.
im biting the bullet and selling my kitesurfing gear. Started in 1999 back in the uk and my gears now old, I'm also much heavier and have over the past 12 months been enjoying some stand up paddling.
i want to get in to surfing and just looking for a little advice.
first of all I'm a big guy. Smaller than I was and currently on the right track to getting back to an optimum weight. I was 134kg now down to 117. Just another 17kg to go To hit my first milestone.
without advice and no surfing knowledge I picked up a cheap minimal 7'6" which after a session yesterday is obviously not the best board to learn on for someone my weight. Hopefully my wife will use it.
Ive never been a believer in beginner kit such as foam boards, I don't mind spending the money on something that will last me longer and is a better quality.
so my question, what length longboard would be best for a heavy guy in north Perth to learn on.
cheers
Go at least a 9'6 Longboard, or even a 10'0.
If you like "progressive" or even slightly aggressive style of surfing, then maybe 9'6... If you like the look of cruising on a Longboard, go the 10'0... There are very few boards in between... Just the way it is!
Tufflite is also excellent for learners... Durable... You'll bang the nose and tail into doorways, walls, stair handrails, etc etc... But Tufflite is up for that! Then go a lovely Tinted Fibreglass Board, custom, for your 2nd board, once you know how to look after it! 
Big guys rave above The Munoz... Go the 10'6...
www.surftechaustralia.com.au/?option=com_content&view=article&id=132&Itemid=518
Once you get to 100kg, I can highly recommend the Brewer 9'6... Fantastic board, and look very sweet in Pure Red...
www.surftechaustralia.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=135&Itemid=515
i would go 9'.6 too 10'.. 24 wide and 3+ inches. with lots of rocker. if you know some other surfers ask them for a ride of theirs.depending where you live, try a hire shop.just my 2c
This would be a sweet ride too... Bear Waikiki Special, 10'0...
www.surftechaustralia.com.au/?option=com_content&view=article&id=133&Itemid=517
just NO mct plug
just NO mct plug
Thanks everyone.
i think a nice new board will be my reward for hitting my weight goal!
Select to expand quoteAndyRoo said..
Thanks everyone.
i think a nice new board will be my reward for hitting my weight goal!
and so it should be,time to order boards can take some time even if it comes before you hit that figure it will well worth it.
i dont know anything about your local breaks but from a fellow big guy to another i have a few tips. I am currently 128kgs and i surf 10 - 12 ft boards, 12 ft being overkill. my only advise to someone your size and starting out is to get a big board that you can catch a **** tonne of waves on and enjoy your surfing while you learn plus getting your wave count up. After you do this for say 3 months then go shorter and experiement but starting out you wanna have fun and not be frustrated and feel let down if you dont get waves. SO GO BIG OR GO HOME
my recommendation is a 10'6 10'4 or a thick 10'0 just get a board that gets bulk waves, gets your stoke level up, gets you up outta bed early excited to get some more. Then go shorter
Select to expand quoteboofy said..
CW 10 footer you cannot go wrong it will float you it will perform for you
Agreed! I was around 117kg when I got my first CW Whalebone, 10'x24-1/4x3-1/2, I'm now down to 101kg & this board is still my 'go to' board, I also own a 10'2 & 9'6 Clearwater, Steve knows his stuff & will give you the board you need, he also knows the WA waves. As mac said don't scrimp, shout yourself a good board to start with and you won't be disapointed.
L-R 10'2 log, 10' whalebone 9'6 whalebone
My 5c worth, I think 9'6"-10' is too long to start out on. when you surf a board that long you need to be on the tail to turn and at the middle to trim.
I would actually recommend around 7'6"-8' but something really thick and wide, maybe a Global Surf Industry Walden Mega Magic or go see your local shaper and have him whip something up for you custom. And +1 on the Clearwater, SDR is a fantastic shaper/guy/adviser 
and then, watch people, watch vids etc and practice,practice ,practice... she's a long road this surfing but one of the best journeys you can travel bro
also, for me the best "learn to DVD" is Wingnuts Art of Longboarding. its WAY kooky but has the right info, i.e. its about understanding the wave and knowing where to be and this makes everything else easier...
and these aren't bad either albeit rather brief www.epictv.com/media/series-home/log-school-with-cyrus-sutton-/500031?header_b=1
At 117 kgs any 7 foot or 8 foot board no matter how wide will frustrate you IMO if you were 60-70 kgs maybe a different story, at this stage of your surfing you wanna be catching as many waves as you can and practise popping up over and over a 10 footer will give you all the time you need to pop up and you will be able to paddle into anything
Select to expand quoteboofy said..
At 117 kgs any 7 foot or 8 foot board no matter how wide will frustrate you IMO if you were 60-70 kgs maybe a different story, at this stage of your surfing you wanna be catching as many waves as you can and practise popping up over and over a 10 footer will give you all the time you need to pop up and you will be able to paddle into anything
+1
Select to expand quoteBigSpazz said..boofy said..
At 117 kgs any 7 foot or 8 foot board no matter how wide will frustrate you IMO if you were 60-70 kgs maybe a different story, at this stage of your surfing you wanna be catching as many waves as you can and practise popping up over and over a 10 footer will give you all the time you need to pop up and you will be able to paddle into anything
+1
+2
Select to expand quotestuk said..BigSpazz said..boofy said..
At 117 kgs any 7 foot or 8 foot board no matter how wide will frustrate you IMO if you were 60-70 kgs maybe a different story, at this stage of your surfing you wanna be catching as many waves as you can and practise popping up over and over a 10 footer will give you all the time you need to pop up and you will be able to paddle into anything
+1
+2
+3 Volume volume volume volume is your friend !0x24x31/2
Select to expand quotetowball said..stuk said..BigSpazz said..boofy said..
At 117 kgs any 7 foot or 8 foot board no matter how wide will frustrate you IMO if you were 60-70 kgs maybe a different story, at this stage of your surfing you wanna be catching as many waves as you can and practise popping up over and over a 10 footer will give you all the time you need to pop up and you will be able to paddle into anything
+1
+2
+3 Volume volume volume volume is your friend !0x24x31/2
spot on TB.
Select to expand quotestuk said..BigSpazz said..boofy said..
At 117 kgs any 7 foot or 8 foot board no matter how wide will frustrate you IMO if you were 60-70 kgs maybe a different story, at this stage of your surfing you wanna be catching as many waves as you can and practise popping up over and over a 10 footer will give you all the time you need to pop up and you will be able to paddle into anything
+1
+2
-1
Well at 117kg's in a Mega Magic you could surf a 9' which would still be more manageable.
A mate of mine has the 8' and he's about 100kg and it's helping him heaps, on the 9'6" Surftech Robert August WIR he'd take off and the wave would get in front of him. The Walden is shorter but has more volume so the weight dist is better and so without stepping up the board he still get the speed to make sections.
I just think that surfing 117kg's off the tail of a 10' will make the thing plow too much as the weight distribution will be out...
"The Mega Magic is one of the most popular Longboards currently available in the USA. Design inspiration drawn from many larger Tandem and SUP boards.
The volume removed from the length and redistributed it to the width and thickness while maintaining performance. It is about 1/2-3/4" thicker and 1-2" wider than a standard longboard, the Mega Magic will float like a board that is 12-18" longer. For example the bigger guy that normally rides a 10' with the Mega he can ride an 8'-9' without giving up float or stability.
The Mega Magic features the Magic bottom contours and rocker profiles allowing you to push this board to its limits. Riding this board almost feels like cheating because of the unfair advantage you have over others in the lineup"http://www.surfindustries.com.au/surfboards/walden_megaMagic.php
Select to expand quotevanders1 said..boofy said..
CW 10 footer you cannot go wrong it will float you it will perform for you
Agreed! I was around 117kg when I got my first CW Whalebone, 10'x24-1/4x3-1/2, I'm now down to 101kg & this board is still my 'go to' board, I also own a 10'2 & 9'6 Clearwater, Steve knows his stuff & will give you the board you need, he also knows the WA waves. As mac said don't scrimp, shout yourself a good board to start with and you won't be disapointed.
L-R 10'2 log, 10' whalebone 9'6 whalebone
Bit of board porn right there. that log looks amazing
Select to expand quoteAshmullet said..
Oh the lawn needs a new wax job sorry boys
So do his boards mate there would have to be a least 10kgs worth of wax build up on them
Agreed. I have a 7'6 mini mal, defo not the easiest, really struggling, bigger must be better.
Regarding AnyrooMac's comment about needing to turn off the tail I can tell you the way Steve shapes these whalebone's they'll turn from a long way forward from just the tail. I've watched so many guys struggling to even get to a point to pop up let alone worrying about where they're turning the board from because they don't have enough volume in the right places. IMO a board of 9'8-10' is exactly what's needed here, and width is also your friend. Talk to Steve 0417 912 207 and tell him the LB guys sent ya. 
