OC Surf Community

surfing newbie needs help picking wet suit and surfing board.

Hey guys could you guys please give me tips on picking wet suits and surfing boards?

I've always wanted to surf and I've recently managed to save up money to buy the gear that I need to enjoy surfing.

Any solid and reasonable advice are welcome!

Thank you in advance!

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Permalink Reply by BoardRecycler.com on December 9, 2010 at 1:42am

Board wise look to get something that will float you and is stable. For the standard beginner I'd suggest a mini-log(funboard) or longboard from the 7'8" to 9'0" range (depending on your height and weight). Keep it thick, around 2.75"-3" to help float you and make it easier to catch waves and keep you more stable when standing up.

As far as wetsuits, a full suit is a must around here. The standard is a 3/2mm, but many people use a 4/3mm during the coldest winter months. All the brands (quik, billabong, o'neill, rip, curl, xcel) make hi-end and lower-end wetsuits, and all are making basically similar products. So the main thing is to choose the brand that fits your body best, and make sure the suit is sealed. Meaning the seems are blind-stitched and glued (and possibly taped) rather than just flat-stitched.

You can check your local shop for boards and gear, or if you're interested in used (cheaper and no tax) take a look at BoardRecycler.com!

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Permalink Reply by OrangeCounty.com on December 13, 2010 at 11:05am

Boardrecycler had some good advice...

You can usually pick up some good inexpensive boards on craigslist, at shops near the beach too...

Don't buy a board thats too small for you, at least to begin with. you'll have way more fun riding waves on a bigger board.. then you'll probably step down in board sizes as you get better and more addicted to the sport.

A 3/2 mm will probably be ok most days of the year (although this year was colder than normal) You can find some great deals just by googling what you want and what size. you can go to a store and try on some wetsuits to see what you like and most importantly what size fits you. you don't want something too big or too small.. the range in sizes fit most people pretty well. (the sizes do vary a little brand by brand)

Another tip is to buy a wetsuit in the offseason. you can buy really cheap spring or summer suits in the winter, or winter suits in the summer.

4/3 is considered winter. and 3/2 or 2mm is considered a summer suit.

Happy Shreddding!

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Permalink Reply by John Salanoa on December 14, 2010 at 11:32am

Do not spend lots of money on a new board! Get a used long board or a big fun board. Spend as little as posable on your learning board. If you want to get wet this winter get a 4/3 mil wetsuite, it's cold out there. Check 17th St Boardshop in HB they have a grip of used boards, Chuck Dent in HB also has a bunch of used boards, remember the bigger the better.

Do not try and learn in HB or Newport jetties you'll just get bummed after a few tries. Head out to Newport Pier great rollers to learn on, Old Mans, Doheny State Beach are your three best places to learn.

Have fun and see you in the water!