Newb with tons of questions.

[TropicalCreations]

I agree with glyde, getting the water and learning waves by any means is a good start.

I just dissagree about fun boards, for me its about long boarding and short boarding. But I guess based on everyones respones its a prefrence. I like to cruise the nose, or rip big turns both would be near impossible on a fun board...

[EastEndWahine]

I started my surfing career by learning how the waves worked by just bodyboarding.  That's also how I learned to duckdive, and it was pretty easy.

I learned on a 7'8 funboard and it worked for me.  I still like to ride it because it catches waves like nobody's business and I can still maneuver it fairly well.  I'm kind of moving towards the shortboard/longboard thing though, trying to phase out the funboard (but not completely!  I think I'll have that board forever )

[UNCLE!!]

I got a good toes on Nose ride on a 7'2" mini mal. Was really fun.

[chocolate hostage]

Funboards suck, about the only thing you'll learn on one is a raft of bad habits that'll hinder your surfing probably forever, since your pretty old to be a grom to begin with. Get a bodyboard until you know what your doing on a wave, then a longboard to get you out on the small days and paddle exercising when its flat. 

[ankleslapper]

Funboards are fine.  anything between 7'-9' that's floaty should be very stable for a beginner, especially as a thruster.  My first board was an 8'6" and ideal for the basics of getting to feet and turning, yet wasn't as unwieldy as the longboards I now enjoy.  I think contending with a little less board as a beginner is actually a huge help, but that's just me.  Beginner with longboard can often be hazard -- might get on waves but with zero control and the board becoming a weapon.

[SeaCliff]

Funboards are fine.  anything between 7'-9' that's floaty should be very stable for a beginner, especially as a thruster.  My first board was an 8'6" and ideal for the basics of getting to feet and turning, yet wasn't as unwieldy as the longboards I now enjoy.  I think contending with a little less board as a beginner is actually a huge help, but that's just me.  Beginner with longboard can often be hazard -- might get on waves but with zero control and the board becoming a weapon.

Always a difficult sight. I agree, just on casual summer observation of even the best intentioned newbs - too long a board right away may well be as much a hindrance to someone as too short a board may be.

[Looseness]

Funboards are fine.  anything between 7'-9' that's floaty should be very stable for a beginner, especially as a thruster.  My first board was an 8'6" and ideal for the basics of getting to feet and turning, yet wasn't as unwieldy as the longboards I now enjoy.  I think contending with a little less board as a beginner is actually a huge help, but that's just me.  Beginner with longboard can often be hazard -- might get on waves but with zero control and the board becoming a weapon.

Always a difficult sight. I agree, just on casual summer observation of even the best intentioned newbs - too long a board right away may well be as much a hindrance to someone as too short a board may be.

Having seen a LOT of beginners lately I'd have to agree.

[Joe 6-Pack!]

Funboards are fine.  anything between 7'-9' that's floaty should be very stable for a beginner, especially as a thruster.  My first board was an 8'6" and ideal for the basics of getting to feet and turning, yet wasn't as unwieldy as the longboards I now enjoy.  I think contending with a little less board as a beginner is actually a huge help, but that's just me.  Beginner with longboard can often be hazard -- might get on waves but with zero control and the board becoming a weapon.

Always a difficult sight. I agree, just on casual summer observation of even the best intentioned newbs - too long a board right away may well be as much a hindrance to someone as too short a board may be.

Having seen a LOT of beginners lately I'd have to agree.

Surfing is so hip.

[Gmoney335]

Ok so heres an update.....

I took your advice, moved the pad back (glue came out no problem) and got it wet right away. I rented a 7-10'' funboard also to compare and that was cake. Poped up fine, cought almost every wave..aslmost came too easy. So i tried my board.......wow what a difference.

Heres, my problems, maybe someone can give me some pointers. The few times i took my board out the waves were pretty weak (3-4ft at best) I was having an extremely hard time catching them, i just couldnt paddle fast enough and when i felt like i was, when i poped up the wave just left me behind. Am i popping up too late? or do i just need bigger waves? Right now paddling is my biggest problem (the funboard was much easier) But the few waved i did catch with my board were a blast. Im thinking that i will quickly lose my interest in a fun board, so i would rather put in the time and learn on a short board....anyone who can throw me some tips to speed up the process, much appreciated.

[Gmoney335]

One other thing....I kindda got the same impression of the funboard that some people are saying. I dont think i learned anything just because it was too easy. I stood up on the first wave...besides allowing for tons of experience in the water, I still think once i get bored of the fun shape, it will be just as hard to step into a short. The longer boards tend to intimidate me a little...i feel like i cant control it, almost just going along for the ride...thats not exactly safe once i join the lineup. So i guess im saying, im sticking to the short-board, but if i find a good deal on a fun board ill get one for flat days.

[Igotsoul4u]

I am on the side of funboards being not so great.  A good buddy of mine was on one for a while and he never developed a good set of skills.  I agree with TC in regards to funboards being the worst of both worlds.  Every definable characteristic of a short/long board is blurred which in my opinion creates a skill set almost useless for both kinds of boards. I think you are also right when you said you would get sick of the funboard quickly.  My friend takes his out once a year to remind himself how much he hates it.  I would focus on catching the waves. Do whatever it takes.  I kick like a mofo and look like a total spaz when I catch a wave.  As far as the WRV is concerned.  I have owned 2 WRV's and they were really difficult to surf and almost useless in gutless surf.  Overall that board is going to be very hard to surf.  I say *Eastern LI* it.  You might want to find some sort of round nose fish ( quad or tri) with a little more volume and length then normal. People seem to really like the Lost round noses and sharks.  You also might want to go EPS for added float.

PS I also think its really cool that you have concern for others in the lineup as far as controlling a huge log!!!!!!!   My board and body thanks you.