Finding the right 'stick' is job No. 1 for new surfers

By John Streit

Correspondent

One step into a surf shop reveals an obvious truth: Surfboards come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Looking down the long board rack can overwhelm a beginner. But like each wave a surfer catches, every board is different and will react differently to whoever is riding it.

That makes picking out that first "stick" all the more important. Before making a $700 commitment to that board with the sweet airbrush design, give surfing a try.

Take a lesson to see if the sport suits you. Shops like Surf and Adventure Company, Wave Riding Vehicles, Coastal Edge and Pungo Board House are among those in the area that offer lessons on rental surfboards.

So you tried it, loved it and want to take up the pastime. Here's a bit of advice to consider.

As a general rule; heavier surfers need longer, wider and thicker boards. New surfers should be riding a board that will provide sufficient floatation for easy paddling and wave-catching.

"The key is really width, that's the real kicker when it comes to stability," said Robert Lindauer, owner of Surf and Adventure. "When people are learning to stand up, they often go to their knees first, and having that width compensates for the wobble that creates."

Also, potential surfers should think about the style of surfing they wish to pursue.

- Those interested in just cruising Virginia Beach's small summertime surf should purchase a longboard - wide, round-nosed boards ranging 8 feet tall and longer - and begin practicing. Again, the larger the rider, the larger the board should be.

- Those interested in shredding their way through the surf should start with a board that offers a balance of buoyancy and maneuverability; something that will easily catch waves in small surf, but has the potential to be turned aggressively.

For novices, width and thickness of the surfboard will be of the utmost importance. Many aspiring rippers make the mistake of buying a short, thin high-performance board. These boards are built for speed, but also for someone who knows how to generate it. If you're just starting out, stay away from anything less than 19 inches wide and 2 1/4 inches thick, surf experts say.

"Unfortunately, you see people buy these high-performance boards as sort of status symbols, because they look so cool or aggressive or whatever," Lindauer said. "Really, they're working against what they should be looking to accomplish in the water."

Especially in the small surf of Virginia Beach, the best options are either funboards, a hybrid of a shortboard and longboard ranging from 7 to 8 feet tall, or fishes - thick, wide shortboards built for small surf.

As a general rule, a fish should be about one foot taller than the rider. Funboards follow similar rules to longboards: heavier riders will need larger boards.

Remember the employees at these surf shops are often quite knowledgeable when it comes to choosing a board. Most are experienced surfers who can offer more detailed insight. Don't be afraid to pick their brains, they're there to help you make the best decision.

John Streit, 639-4805, vb.beaconsports@yahoo.com