I maily bodyboard but surfed a few times. It easier to learn on a long board first to build up your balance. After a straight week of surfing a longboard I tried out a 6'2ft board and ate shiet for the first hour. It fun though, just gotta build balance and confidence. Carving is hard to learn but once you get it its all gravy from there. Just gotta watch out for the big hawaiian local, hell run you over.