Thinking of buying a new board or are you learning to surf. One of the most difficult and also the most important decisions that every surfer makes is choosing their surfboard.

There are a myriad of factors which will influence your choice of board. Ranging from your experience, the waves you will be riding, your preferred style of surfing and more. Once you take all of these into account you then get to look at the surfboard itself.

Surfboards come in a range of styles and sizes and also have different manufacturing processes. The main shapes of surfboards are longboards, mini-mals, fish, shortboards and hybrids of these shapes.

The Mini-Mal - is used by beginners to advanced surfers. - Perfect for the person who likes the feel of a longboard but wants more maneuverability. Easier to carry and manage out in the water but with all the surfing ease of a longboard. Great for kids and smaller adults looking for a great beginners board or the experienced longboarder needing something more maneuverable.

The Longboard can also be used by beginners to advanced surfers - A modern replica of what the sport was started on. Paddle into what ever you want and hang ten all the way to the beach. Among the most popular boards in the water and for good reason, easy to start on and always fun.

The Softboard - Beginners to Intermediate - While it is usually by beginners you will often see an advanced surfer using them between the flags at the beach. This is the perfect board to learn to surf on, the length and width of these boards are designed to maximise stability and are easy to paddle on. The softboards have a slick bottom which ensures maximum speed and smooth rails to ensure easy turning. The soft construction of the board ensures you don't get hurt during the spills while you still enjoy the thrills.

The Retro Fish - Intermediate to advanced surfers - A popular alternative to the high performance shortboard. Created in the 70s, the fish is typically shorter and thicker than a short board and comes with a swallow tail and a larger twin fin set up. Its unique shape allows for a looser, faster board for fun on those smaller days. A great board for someone trying to make the transition to shortboarding or spends most sessions riding sloppy waves. Often comes with glassed in fins

Generally the better the surfer the smaller their board in length, width and thickness. But this is not always the case as some surfers prefer different styles of boards depending on when they paddle into a wave, how strong they are at paddling and how good balance they.

At the end of the day choosing a board is personal and you need to get advice from an expert. so where ever you purchase your next board make sure they provide advice and ask you questions about the factors listed above before you buy.

Good luck and happy surfing.

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I am a 24 year old student and live in San Diego. And like the most guys here I have just one passion: Surfing. I started surfing when I was 10 and when I think back to my earlier years, I have to admit that it was not fun. I broke my arm twice, my right leg once and hundreds of stomach injuries after failed attempts to catch waves at just the right time. Since then, a lot has changed. I don’t want to show off but now I am one of the best surfers here in this sunshine state.

Although I think that surfing is one of the best sports in the world, I have to admit that it is not fun unless you are very good. Although I love surfing, it gets in the way of my busy schedule. First of all, you often neglect activities you are supposed to do for your apartment for example. I don’t know exactly how often I have forgotten to clean the dishes or wash my clothes, but let’s just say it’s a lot. And when I leave the office at 5 pm I have just one goal: to go to the beach as soon as possible and everything that has had a negative influence will be forgotten. And cleaning up the plates falls under this category without a doubt. Another negative factor from my surfing passion is my transportation. I often have two boards with me when I go surfing because I have to choose different boards depending on the conditions of the waves; a small board for big waves and a long board for smaller waves. You can imagine that the handling of two boards is difficult; especially when you want to make sure your boards don’t get damaged.

Regarding these transportation problems, I don’t mean just the walking down to the water after parking the car. Part of the problem is how I transport the boards in my truck. I have a big truck so there is enough space for storing them, but last week something very weird happened. I was driving to the beach, cruising around 40 mph, and suddenly the car in front of me stopped out of nowhere! Of course I had to break immediately and guess what happened. Correct, my long board ran through my back window and tons of glass pieces shattered in my car. After this experience I decided to change my transportation. Surely there was no way to transport the boards without the truck, so I had to change something with the truck itself. After a little research, I found tons of truck accessories. I found a back window protector called a headache rack, which could be the solution to my transportation problem. So I bought a headache rack yesterday and recognized that my headache rack mounts directly onto my truck’s stake pockets without the need for drilling. Beside that, the installation was very easy and this evening I used my new truck accessory and solved my problem. I think I have made a great decision to improve my truck’s protection. Otherwise I would always be scared of having another accident because of some jerk that can’t drive. Now even if I do get in an accident, I don’t have to worry that my boards will suddenly become a weapon that can break my neck.

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It's very rare to break a leg surfing. But surfing carries its own inherent dangers. Forewarned is forearmed.

Drowning is the most obvious risk from surfing and there are a dozen ways to unintentionally raise the odds.

Not being prepared to surf is the first way. Surfing requires being fit, being able to swim well and then getting some training. Even the most advanced surfers fall of their boards.

When that happens you'll have to locate your board if it isn't attached to you by a safety leash to your ankle, then paddle back. If you lose your board or it washes ashore, you have to swim back. Either requires a lot of stamina, especially when there are strong currents, which is often the case. Get fit for surfing and ensure that you are a strong swimmer before going out into the water.

Not being alert is the second most common cause of problems while surfing.

For a sport that looks simple, there's a surprising number of things to be aware of at all times. Winds near the shore can shift rapidly, pushing you off your board. Current eddies and riptides can keep you from swimming ashore easily.

Other surfers, especially inexperienced ones, can fail to look out for you. That means you have to look out for them. Crossing boards in the water is never a happy experience for anyone. Give priority to the surfer closest to the break. Even if someone else is being rude and not following the surfer's etiquette, don't lose your cool. That leads to accidents, or worse.

Underwater rocks, coral reefs and other unseen formations can damage you and your board. Even visible jetties can be a problem, since most of the formation is unseen. Jellyfish and other creatures can deliver a nasty sting. Watch out for all these by getting familiar with the common water movements that signal their presence.

Failure to exercise common sense and good judgment is another leading cause of injury for too many surfers. When you're beginning, it's easy to get carried away with the excitement and challenge. It's great to be enthusiastic, but don't take on waves bigger than your skills can handle. Don't be too eager to shoot a curl or surf among the pier pilings because it looks cool.

Always surf with at least one buddy. If you run into trouble, he or she can help you out. One of you can make for shore and get help, if needed. Sometimes two surfers can be put in trouble by the same event, but the odds are more in your favor if you pair up.

It should be obvious by now that these are all common sense reminders. That's a signal that it doesn't require advanced surfing experience to recognize the dangers and avoid them. Just keep it together and you'll have that much more time for surfing. Injuries take you out of the game.

Another important safety tip, relates to skin protection. Wear UV protective swimsuits is the best type of skin protection, along with sunglasses, and applying sunscreens on exposed skin. So make sure you have your UV protection gear each time you go out surfing.

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Catching a wave on a surfboard takes patience and knowing where other surfers are. Ride a wave with tips from a surfing instructor in this free video on surfing.

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Experienced surfers have dozens of great surf breaks to choose from even if they live on the New England coast, but each of us has to decide which break to call our own on any given day. Or, if you are just starting out as a surfer, you will want to choose one break as your wave of choice and continue going there until you’ve expended all you could from it. All surfers must decide where to paddle out, so here’s a list of criteria to help you make the most informed decision.

People

With the popularity of surfing growing all over the world, there are always surf breaks that are a bit more notorious for localism, which is never a good arena for a beginner. Surfers can be mean and possessive of their waves, so you’ll want to find a break where the people are nice. If you’re a people person, try to head somewhere friendly, where you won’t get your head lopped off if you get into a bang up out in the water. Or, if you’re kind of a loner and you can hold your own in the water, then it’s okay to hit the edgier spots where people kind of grimace at you. In most cases, though, it’s always nice to be around people who are friendly and can even strike up conversation with you even though you are complete strangers.

Wave Quality and Consistency

The quality of the wave depends heavily on the wind and swell conditions, so check your local surf or weather report for the latest update. There are many conditions that make a pleasant surfing experience, but you can get a good snapshot of what’s going on in your area simply by looking at swell height and wind direction from a local website. Or, you can always just head on down to the beach and check for wave quality visually. Relative to wave quality, though, is the actual consistency of the sets. Sets are simply a grouping of waves that break within a period of time. You want to paddle out where sets come through at least every 15 minutes. That way, everyone out there can get a wave or two and not have to fight over the same one. Every surfer is in the water for the same reason: to have a mellow, relaxed time with little possibility of drowning. Share the waves when they’re good, but still get out there when they’re not so good.

Water Quality

The sky can be perfectly blue and the temperature warm, but if the water is not clean, you’re certainly not going to want to paddle out. Die-hard surfers might paddle out in crappy conditions, but if there was an oil spill or sewage drain, then even they will resist getting in the water.  Surfers want to be able to get their heads wet without stinking—or worse, getting sick from contaminated water. Bays generally tend to have better wave conditions but more polluted water. You have to decide which is more important to you. Check your local website for water quality conditions in your area, especially after it rains.

A few other things to look for in a surf break are freshwater showers, functioning bathrooms, and safety. If you tend to surf before or after work and don’t have time to run home to change, you should absolutely find a break with a shower and bathroom. It’s also advisable to choose a break that has a lifeguard or is close to water rescue. Also consider surfing at a break that doesn’t have rocks jutting out from the water at low tide, or with notorious rip currents that can suck you out to sea. Ask friends who surf where they like to go. As you continue surfing, you will generate a longer list and discover more secret spots.

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Of course, that will vary from one surf location to another. But in general, most surfers will agree on most of the basics.

The beach belongs to no one and everyone. That means, anybody can surf, but not in a way that makes it impossible for others to surf. We've all heard of surf Nazis who push anyone away who isn't part of their gang. Violence is their common method when threats aren't enough. Definitely, not cool.

But there are more peaceful rules, like who surfs first.

The surfer closest to the breaking wave has priority, he or she surfs first. Others wait. That doesn't mean the others have to wait forever. Sometimes they wait until the next wave. Other times, they wait only until that surfer has popped up and caught the wave. Then they in turn can pop-up and catch it, provided they don't interfere with the first surfer. If two surfers can't decide who is on the inside, the surfer who pops up first has priority.

Some waves break both left and right. But surfers can surf across a wave as well as on the front of it. That opens the possibility of collisions. Not fun. That creates the next big rule of surfing etiquette: communicate.

Make eye contact, signal which way you plan to go. Avoid crossing over another surfer's path. No complicated hand moves need to be devised. A simple nod in the direction you plan to head will be recognized by anyone. A shout is ok, but not everyone will speak your language. Do both if there's any doubt.

But to communicate, you have to be alert. These days, on most days, it's rare to surf alone. In fact, it's not a good idea. You should always have a surf buddy to watch your back. But even when (as is usually the case) the other surfers are strangers, you have to watch out for them. You're watching out for rocks, high reefs and jellyfish. This is just one more thing to look out for. Good surfing takes awareness of every thing at every moment. Not easy.

But surfing etiquette goes beyond what happens in the water. Don't kick sand on someone's board when they're waxing. Be aware of how you are carrying your board so you don't injure someone. Simple, common sense rules like that. Easy. Fair. Everyone enjoys the beach and the waves that way.

Eventually, everyone gets to surf about the same amount. There are plenty of waves and, in most places, not too many surfers. The beach is large and the ocean is larger. No need to be rude. No need to push your way to the front of the line. Nature provides plenty of wind and waves, enough to satisfy anyone who is reasonable and fair.

Be cool and you'll be rewarded. Even if others are rude, you'll feel better inside your own skin. That's the ultimate state for any surfer.

Another important matter affecting your safety is the needs to protect your skin. Wear sun protection swim wear each time you are on the beach. After all being safer when having is rewarding later in life with a healthy sin.

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Surfing is an amazing adventure sport. This is not the sport for everybody, but for the people who can handle the thick waves of the beach. The surfboard can be of any size – from less than three feet surfboards to 11 ft surfboards are available today. However, the size of the surfboard is no match to the skill and technique of the surfers. To stay afloat over the tides is the one important thing of surfing. Being able to catch the right tide (or wave), engaging at the right moment, staying at the right position and staying cleared of barriers like reefs or floating materials, etc are all desirable surfing skills.

It is not just about riding a wave, but also executing various manoeuvres. A good surfer is made only when he or she is able to catch the difficult waves, staying clear of dangers and performing tricks before finishing the ride. Not being hit by the wave. Tube riding is the dream of all surfers. It is about riding inside the wave, without the wave touching you down. It is quite amusing to see the wave curling over you and you are moving ahead of the wave, without letting the wave strike you down. It is the most difficult thing to achieve in surfing.

Turning and carving, cutback, off the lip, floater, etc are some skills surfers will be achieving pretty quickly. These skills are not learned from the land. You can learn these only after you get in the water, riding the waves. You can also get surfing lessons from experienced surfers, who will give you one-on-one lessons.

Not all the beaches and surf breaks are ideal for beginners. Only experienced surfers can attempt the risky surfs. The training is given only at areas of consistent wave activity and winds. Otherwise, it will become difficult. After getting the lessons at breaks that have more or less stable surfing conditions, you can go to more challenging areas.

Once you get into the groove, it is one great passion. You will enjoy the surfing so much and you will be willing to experiment with various types of surfboards, techniques and locations. Some surfers are so passionate about the local surf breaks, that they don't let tourists in and even threaten physical assault, when their territory is violated. Not all locations are like that and you can see surf breaks around the world, where you get warm welcome.

The safety guidelines to all kinds of water sports apply to surfing too. You need to be able to manage the tides without the board and you should be careful not to go near rocks, reefs or dangerous creatures like jelly fish, sharks, etc.

You get into surfing for once and you can experience the all consuming passion associated with the sport. Beach holidays or vacations can also include surfing as an option – although not all beaches for suited for surfing. OK, if you have this passion to surfing, it is good time you have, with your riding at great speeds over the waves.

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Jarrod needed some sex wax. He asked his mum to pick some up for him in town and she slapped his face and told him to wash his mouth out! He asked his grandmother to pick some up for him when she was out shopping and she fainted! After coming round, she told Jarrod's mother, who promptly slapped his face and told him to wash his mouth out.

'I need sex wax' is all Jarrod's dad overheard while he was on the phone to his mate, organising their surfboard titillating session. Forcefully removing the phone from Jarrod's hand, his dad slammed it down, muttering, red-faced, about extortionate chat line charges and the 'youth of today', before he marched into the kitchen loudly complaining to his wife.

And guess what? Yep, you got it. She slapped his face and told him to wash his mouth out!

That was it. Jarrod had had enough. He left for the beach to meet his mate and get this out of his system. Strapping his surfboard to the roof of his beloved VW camper, he set off to catch some waves. The wind was picking up which was a good sign that his surfboard would see some action today. It also meant that his other cheek would get some colour and he wouldn't look like he'd fallen asleep under a one sided sun bed.

Arriving at the beach, Jarrod's mate has already arrived and was looking chilly while he wiped down his surfboard. Jarrod pulled on his 3mm wetsuit and checked out the surf. The weather has brought out more babes than usual, all desperate to strut their stuff and show the boys they ride their surfboards as well as us. All be it in a girlie fashion!

Not wanting to make himself look a complete idiot, he slapped plenty of his mates sex wax onto his surfboard and headed out into the waves. There's no way he was slipping off this board and making a fool of himself in front of these hotties.

Once out into the water, feeling the pull of the current around his legs and the exhilarating power under his surfboard, Jarrod soon forget all about his difficulties at home and began to ride the waves. Getting the better of a wave and riding it into shore gave him the ultimate feeling of control and of beating the elements. He wasn't, however, the type to take nature for granted. It has an unpredictable force all its own and should never be underestimated.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the attitude of the blonde totty riding nearby. Obviously inexperienced but determined to get the better of nature, she tackles waves that are way beyond her. After crashing down and being beaten by a particularly powerful surge, it feels like an age has gone by before she surfaces, coughing and spluttering.

Jarrod does the gentlemanly thing and helps her inland. He takes her arm and guides her to the back of his camper van where he patches up her grazes and offer her hot tea from a flask which she gratefully accepts. Doing his damndest not to patronise her, because he knows how sensitive you girls can be, he use his own mistakes as an example of how she can overcome the problem she experienced on her surfboard.

She seems to be taking this all very well until he offers her some of my mates sex wax and she gives him that look. 'It's ok' Jarrod tell her, 'we always share sex wax'. It's at this point that she slaps his face, tells him to wash his mouth out and marches off back to the waves, swinging her surfers hair behind her. Girls!!

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