Whatup Pixie,
Longboard/Shortboard:
There isn't one right answer. Just don't get a shortboard under 6'5" at first if you weigh less than 60-65 kg. If you weigh more and are tallish go after a 6'8" or longer. And buy one that is wide and thick. You don't NEED a minimal or longboard if you only want to learn to shortboard, but it would be a good idea. Compensate for length with width and thickness and you will be able to glide easily and learn how to turn on a shorter board. Just get a board that floats you well so you can get speed while paddling. That's called "planing". Your arms are your motor and your board either sinks you and slows you down or floats you and keeps you planing on the water. On the other hand, a board that planes too much is harder to turn once you are up. Also, you may not learn to generate speed on a longer board because the weight of the board combined with its tendency to plane easily will do all the work for you. Longboards tend to be most enjoyable on longer more regularly shaped waves where you can cruise and develop technique and grace. Unfortunately for us, there aren't too many of those around. However, they do allow for more surfing when the waves are just too small for a shortboard. Plenty of that around here, eh? I guess the compromise would be to get one of each if you can find them both for a good price. In the long run, that is what is going to give you the best shot at being a good surfer.
Do you want to be a "surfer" or do you want to surf?
If you really want to surf, eventually, you'll want to learn how to gain speed. Anyone can learn to stand on a longboard and go straight. (note: Longboarding "for real" is a very technical art that is not about just going straight) But in general, no speed = no moves. Kelly Slater and a bunch of other rippers on a global scale grew up in Florida surfing shitty waves. They learned on small waves and learned something so valuable - how to work in the pocket of the wave, find the right lines and generate speed! Look at someone moving slow trying to do a cutback....doesn't work...ugly and not functional. Ride your bike with no hands going really slow...okay you're Swedish so you are probably good at that but, now try to turn. Speed is critical. You will cruise on a longer board. You will surf. And you will learn how waves move. But, you won't learn everything. Ideally, you'll have two boards. Think about sharing a longboard with a friend maybe. The longboard would allow you to paddle around on nearly flat days and still ride some whitewash, something that is a def. practical consideration here.
Price:
Another thing, just try to get a board or 2 for a good price. If you want to learn how to surf, you are going to do so regardless of whether the board is old and battered or new and neat. There are rocks all over Sweden and they are usually slippery so you can expect to damage your boards, so why damage one that costs 4000 SKr. This is particularly applicable in the longboard category. They can cost a fortune, maybe someone on this site wants to get rid of one that has been abused a bit but is watertight or else easily repaired. That would be your call. 2 boards for 2 good prices for 1 year, evaluate your progress and then make a decision on a step up board.
General Shape of Board:
Wider, thicker if short
Longboards/ minimals of all types
Nothing to pointy in the front or back(not a "pintail"), something wide - more than 20 inches and something thicker (2.5 + inches for a shorter board... 6'6" tp 7'6")
Construction Materials:
I would recommend an Epoxy board for the waters that you surf in because they float one better compared to the tradtitional foam used in surfboard making. This matters because the water in the Baltic is less salinated than the open oceans and therefore much less buoyant. You sink easier. I use an epoxy Surftech that is 5'10" for the majority of days around because it just feels right in these waves. Its a little wider than shortboards I'd usually use and that gives a litttle better buoyancy, planing speed, stability and yet I still have manemanoeuvrability. However, I never take it with me when traveling because...well, who would pay good money to search out weak waves!
Ideal Board:
Shortboard not too short (over 6'6") Wide tail, wide (over 20") and wider all the way through to the nose
I think a larger "fish" shaped board may be good to learn on around here. Just remember width and thickness. And nothing too short.
Minimal/Longboard - the site I include points to "mini-mal" but I don't think that's necessary if you really hope to get into surfing. Get whatever is available in any longer length
Its so late, I have no idea what I am writing anymore, good luck. Just go surf as much as possible, watch videos and swim... And buy the best wintersuit you can find! Cold weather is no big deal when you get used to it
www.surfing-waves.com/beginner_surfboard1.htm
Cheers,'
Alex
