Q: Hello my name is Sara, I am a beginner surfer looking to have a custom shape that fits me and i’ve heard from a friend that you can help. The board I have now is a 7.0 longboard thruster. It’s 21 and a quarter wide and 2 5/8 thick. I find that it is hard to paddle, and impossible to duck-dive this board. What i’m looking for is a shape that will be easier to paddle and catch waves with. Yet I don’t want a longer board. I want a board that’s good for a beginner but that I can grow with.

Can you give me some advice?

A: Sara, I’m assuming that a ‘7.0 Longboard thruster’ is a really short longboard/mini tank? Now I see you’re looking for a shape that will paddle and catch waves better without getting something longer. You’re not going to find a board that will paddle and catch waves better than a mini tanker. You could technically get a board around 7ft long and go a bit wider and thicker, say 22″ wide and 3″ thick but you’ll lose some maneuverability. Regarding not being able to duck dive your board, you won’t be able to duck dive it unless you weigh 200+ pounds…there’s just too much board to sink….you’ll have to learn to turtle your board through oncoming waves (flip your board over and hold down the nose will underwater and let the wave pass over your board).

Be aware that the type of board you get is really determined by your skill level and average surf conditions at your local beach. If you’re surfing gutless waves most of the time, I would definitely recommend getting a longboard as you’ll be able to catch a ton more waves, stand up and actually ride the dribbling surf, and have more fun. On the other hand, if you want to stick with something around 7′0, make sure it has enough width and thickness and just keep at it and surf as much as possible. Becoming a competent surfer takes time and lots of practice.