BEGINNER SURFERS: Is your surfboard holding you back!? 

Can you make a vid on different tails of a surfboard and what each fin set ups is good for, I dont know much about this

Well i have been on a 8ft board for about 6 years. Pop up’s are easy and I have been trying to carve on this board for about 2 years. Now that I am old enough to get a job I can hopefully get the money to by a smaller board. So exciting 🎉🎉

Awesome video! That makes perfect sense. I have just started surfing and it’s so helpful to know that when popups are mastered and 80% of the waves I go for, I catch, that I could think about reevaluating my surf goals and a new board might be in order. Happy holidays! Please take a big breath of clean Aussie air for me.

I recently discovered your channel and today I was searching for a video on this topic, and what do you know, today's is the day you post it 😂. I'm looking to downsize from my 7'4" mini mal, for when I feel like surfing with a bit more manoeuvrability. So this and the other videos you've done on board types have been a big help, keep up the great content!

Exactly what I was needing a transitional board. Well done Kale looking forward to next years videos. Merry Christmas! 😀

Hey Kale - great video and I agree with everything you say, but I wanted to give a different perspective. I'm an eternal intermediate and this year I up-sized my board and have improved my surfing immensely. I bought an 8'4" Roller soft top with 103 litres and 24" wide. My previous board was 80 litres. This board is so stable and allows me to get into waves earlier which means I can be very mindful of my pop up. I have progressed from a chicken wing into a quicker and more functional regular pop up. I can also catch bigger waves more easily which means that even though the board is relatively hard to turn, I have a bigger canvas and more time to practice my turns. I have started making it around sections which I have never really done before. The main thing about this board though, is I can catch more waves on it. More waves means more practice means better surfing. A mate has loaned me his 7'2" Mega Magic 72 litres which is a great intermediate board. I caught a wave on it last week and whipped out a tight turn under the lip which I could never do on my 8-footers. But my wave count on the day was way down, trying to beat everyone else onto the wave (Bondi). Board selection always involves compromises, but the biggest mistake I see people make - the one that can kill their enjoyment of surfing - is riding a too small board.

Just the video I needed!! Thanks so much Kale! I‘m about to go on a surf trip to Portugal and have been binge watching your videos in the last days

Helpful video as usual. I am just going from an 8’ foamie to a 6’8 Hypto Krypto softboard. Will be harder to catch the small stuff but I find the shorter boards much easier to turn...

Great video ... Im 6 months into my progression and am still on my 9ft foamie I'm standing up going left and right even turning it slowly... This video was perfect for me ... I'm going to get a 7,6 minimal for more maneuver ability

I've been lucky to have started surfing with a lot of friends who are very experienced surfers and who also run a surf school over the last yr and having their suggestions and thoughts have really helped me plus these videos and the How to Rip channel, I started on a 7.2 softboard but actually have upgraded to a same size 7.2 Torq epoxy fun board a couple months ago (I'm about 5.6" and 70KG's), the reduction in volume and my surfing has increased a lot, the only thing I probably can't do is duck dive on bigger waves which I guess is maybe my next evolvement, but I'm getting into waves with barrels over the last few days and its really something I didn't think I could do or accomplish, having fun and getting on a board which feels right is my best suggestion. Is it very difficult though to work out which board size, volume suits you. But these types of videos help a lot.

Yeah Kale. Keep up the great work buddy 🤙

Such a great video. I’m a beginner surfer, but none of my friends surf and I know very little about it and have always rented big foamies, and wondered what other boards are like. All the Internet forums just say you should stay on a big foamie forever, but to me that just sounds wrong. With most sports there’s a gradual progression.

THXXX FOR THE EPIC 411 TRANSITION. BOARD VIDEO AND KG TO LB CONVERSION!!!!!! PURA VIDA DUDE, MATE!!!

Happy Chrimbo Kale, have a good one 🎄🎅 🤙

You the man! Thanks for the tips!

I definitely undersized my first board, I tried to persevere with it for a few months and then did a bit more research & then a 6,6" puddle jumper popped up on marketplace, getting that board was a game changer for me with 49L it was a paddle monster and I started getting more waves. Duck diving it is harder but it was worth it. I recently took my first board out cause I've been wanting to get something a little shorter and more manoeuvrable, I was a lot better than when I first rode the smaller slimmer board and could still paddle in relatively well with the 41L board the one thing it lacked was the stability of the PJ being 2 &1/2 inches thinner.

Sitting in my condo in Kata as surf season is starting and notice the footage from Kata beach. Very cool. Hope to get the right board for my skill set some day

so helpful as always!

This was exactly my problem, I'm 14 and I had a 6'3 and it was sooooo stiff I could only just pull turn but I've just got a 5'6 foamie which I researched and for me that's what is recommended for the waves that I ride and my level.

Kale I have been surfing for 2 years in California and I started on an 8 foot wave storm and then I went to a 7’6 hardtop longboard and now I’m on a 6 foot odessy log and i think I’m getting a 5 ‘11 hardtop

Awesome video. Question? I got a 5’6 and a 5’11. When waves are over head it’s fun to ride but it is difficult to paddle my 5’6. My 5’11 paddles great but when it’s overhead it’s tough to duck dive it. Quite the dilemma.

Great info mate.. I’ve been your subscriber since i started surfing 11months ago. Been watching how to rip channel as well. Im intermediate-beginner currently using 36L groveller board, thinking of dropping liters slowly, should i go for 33L or 31L? Cheers

Foam is the answer for me. I went from an 8' foam to an 8' epoxy board. I've now gone to a 7' foam board. The transition is going well. I'm looking forward to using a 6'6" foam called Catch Surf Odysea Skipper.

hey kale, what if i already have the middle sized board, I feel like I can pump and do small turns now but I cant really maneuver the board I have, so do you reckon I should change to the short board?

Hi Kale! Thanks for the videos. could you inform your measurements (weight and height) and the dimensions of your board?

Merry Christmas 🎄 Kale stay safe👍

Hey Kale could you recommend me if I should take a longboard or slightly shorter one for a total beginner. I’m worried if I go with longboard soon I won’t be able to progress and I found from your video that I need a foam one, I’m thinking about sligly shorter board than the longboard I seen u recommend that as a perfect for beginner

Hey Kale, another great video! Just wondering if you have a recommendation on how many liters should we drop from our beginner’s surfboard? Like you described in your video, I’m feeling confident paddling, catching waves and starting to turn (thanks to your surf skate program🤙🏻). But I feel my 48L board is a bit too much to keep progressing. If you could answer, that would be awesome! Thanks!

Thanks Kale, great video. I only discovered your channel recently, got my surfskate and your course because of it, and after 6 years of (very regular) surfing, I'm pretty sure this will greatly help me going through the plateau I'm currently at. Changing boards is always tricky; I've been on the same quite voluminous 6'0 board and will keep on fixing it until one half is missing! Great all around board. However I never know which type of board would make me progress further and generate more speed, a shorter one with a bit less volume, or an ever longer/skinnier one for bigger waves (or no new board at all and just improve the technique!). Do you have a video on this kind of topic? cheers! Loz

Hey Kale, I saw in one of your vids that you where surfing down at UrbanSurf so I’m assuming your from Melbourne. What beach’s do you do majority of your surfing at??

Grear vid perfect timing...:)

I heard your intro song in an off-road truck parts ad and I thought I clicked on one of your videos haha

Hey! this is for me!

Interesting vid and really good but I disagree on some points. I too tried to step down too far from a 8’6 to a 6’2 and getting a 7’2 Twinnie really set a good balance BUT actually riding the 8’6 especially as a single fin forces you to learn a lot better technique of positioning over the fins and using the wave very effectively via just driving your way down the line with upper body. The surf skate is great for upper body pumping but doesn’t relate well to the dynamism of the wave. I guess what I’m saying is you can learn more than you think with a bigger board if you figure how to walk it more and downsize from there than just assuming less foam means better turns... 🤘

Nice blooper I stayed till end lol

which size do you suggest for a 5'7" 150lb rider coming from a 8ft soft top.

Greetings Kale! Could you please do a episode on fins??? Which fins a surfer should use based on skill level, board choice, etc etc.? I know fins can make a big impact but I never hear anyone talk about this? And going to Futures or FCS is a bit daunting with all the choices and their reasons thereof. Thanks!!! 🙏 🏄‍♂️ 🌊 😃

why do i feel like i can surf my catch surf beater and 54 special better than my shortboards. im able to stay in the pocket/ pump / go vertical and do maneuvers. my shortboards are within my liter range 5'6 30L range ... does this mean i should go shorter for my shortboards?

Question - I am not very good at reading the conditions at times and without a cam I have to guess what board to take. Say it’s 2-3 foot and could go probably either a short board or something like a modern love child, Id rather take my shortboard but Im worried if there isnt enough push then I wont catch many waves. But then I cant progress with my turning on a bigger board. What do you do?! Often cant take both as the beach is far from carpark.

Hay kale.. I hope you come in sorake to surf..?Nias Island, north sumatra, Indonesia!!

Hi I’m interested in starting to surf I am 75 kilos and 168 cm what board will shoot me best.

I'm in a dilema as a beginner. Choosing between a 7'6" mini mal with unknown volume and a 5'10" bean grovel board with about 43L Having been out on both I've found the midlength board extremely frustrating in the surf, unable to get under waves etc. I've also found that I really struggle to keep the nose up trying to catch waves. Meanwhile where the bean is way more comfortable to me in the surf I've not got strong paddle form or muscles yet.. Honestly I'm struggling to catch waves (let alone stand on a green wave) on either board. So I'm inclined to stick with the bean and develop my paddle to catch up with the board? Sessions are less frustrating with less board, and that's whats leading me towards that. Am I a fool and a kook? 🤣

What is the lenght of the middle board ? Cheers from Chile!

Hey, Kale would you suggest getting something like a fish for smaller waves or a log?

Hi I am a 14 year old boy and want to get a board but I don’t know what to get. I have surfer shortboards before and can surf fine on them but there are so many boards and I’m not sure what to get. Thank you

I am quite light and I was rlly bad on a longboard shortboards made my surfing much better

What make is that foam board??

hey kale, I am finding my posture is very hunched over on my back hand, I also find I am falling off and loosing balance during turns. could u help me with this, do you have any tips?

is a 5’8 board good for an intermediate that is 5’2

What size is the Ocean & Earth Happy Hour Soft board? Edit: so e.g after a foamie from surf school (hire a couple of times) would the mini mal be a great choice for a bridging board?

Kale is a 6 ft 2 board short enough for good maneuverability?

The intermediate size surfboard size is what size Kale? Is that information in your surfboard buyers guide!!! I have already transitioned with a 7 foot surfboard because of your channel and my local surf shops Virginia Beach Surf Sessions and Coastal Edge here in Virginia Beach, where I live... I went from a 10ft, 9ft, 8ft, "7ft transition", 6'6ft daily board, 6'0, all soft top surfboard quiver and now I ride whatever size surfboard I want depending on the wave conditions... Thxxx a lot dude, bro, man, mate!!! Adios, cheers, later dude!!!

Idk if I went to small for my first board it's hard to tell surfing the gulf and I live in Austin tx but can paddle out with it an can catch waves with it I just don't think I'm choosing the right waves I'll be figuring this out going to waco surf in Nov thought we got intermediate but booked a expert wave and would have to wait longer to book another one an no camera to get vids got a drone but haven't messed with it yet to take it over water lol

Hey kale, I'm not a beginner I just wanted to ask you a question. Im looking into getting a new short board for some more fun out there without just one short board. And I know you have both of these surfboards but I forgot what the brand was I just remember the little "name" they had for each one.. For a newly advanced surfer looking for fun in 3-4 foot waves, would you recommend the "sloth" or the "raptor." Also, you are riding I believe the sloth in the intro btw. Just thought I'd ask which one you prefer :)

I have been surfing for about 2 years and I am at the step were I am riding waves down the line and doing some little carves and turns, but recently have not been able to progress my surfing, can you give me some tips?

Do you think a 6’2” fish with about 42 liters of volume is a good intermediate board?

🙌🏽

Hey kale do you think the CATCH SURF Catch Surf Odysea X Lost Round Nose Fish Surfboard is a decent board am getting a board soon and wanna find out from a surfer

Newer surfers always seem go to far with board choice. I think they wanna look cool or something. You tell them start with a big inexpensive log, what do they get? Al Merrick simipro or something they can't effectively use. Hell, i got to fat so used a 10ft longboard. As I lost weight worked my way back down. Went 10ft, 7.6ft, 6.6ft, and I'm almost back to my normal board size range/litters. Way more fun using the correct board for your size and alibiltys.

Hey Kyle, I’m just starting to surf, would a longboard or fish board be better?

What is the name of the type of board that middle one is?

0:23 looks like Jamie O’brien🤪😂

What about transitioning from a shortboad to a shorter foamy

Hey kale just wondering if u do surf lessons

this is a doap vid kale =)

Surfing for 3 months daily for 3 hrs.... Still can't catch wave using 8.... Or Any hard board.... Can catch 100 percent wave with only a foam board... Why is this?

Lenght volume outline...commercial. The segret is rocker. Rocker is all.

6 inches shorter at a time

yr repeated example of the person who can't turn his board is not the issue wit the board, that person doesn't quite know what to do with the tail or rail.

blond broccoli man bad, 10' log for lyf

First

Like per CHI e italiano

Who cares about the board image. My concern is that folks have to endure my fat ass in a seal costume. 😂

Young people who start out and stay on over-foamed longboards have already doomed themselves to sucking at surfing forever. The surest way to never becoming a good surfer is to have your first board be an oversized board. As soon as paddling and the pop up are figured out the surfer who wants to get good should be on a board no more than 6 inches taller than his or her height. Those oversized boards let the beginner get away with bad technique and because of that the bad technique becomes ingrained early on and becomes virtually impossible to reverse. If you ever want to get good at surfing, the sooner you get on a shortboard the better. Sure it will be frustrating at first. You're going to fall repeatedly but with a little time and determination you will learn and overcome . Parents: The worst thing you can do for your grom is buy them a huge board to learn on. Its counter-productive. Kids adapt and learn quickly. You will be amazed how quickly a youngster can learn to stand up on a small board. I'm not saying to go to a high performance board but rather any of the small soft boards that are available that resemble shortboards.

What about FireWire type of boards? I have like 5’4s with like 30 litres is that fine as it’s my normal literage?