first, id like to congratulate kathy for the great party she threw last weekend!

kat, lots of great pics and great vibes there, wish i couldve stayed longer but i had some school stuff to do the next morning! how did it progress?

anyway, talked to someone there and i got the impression that there are people who are starting but theyd rather surf a shortboard rather than a longboard? why? well it appears that this is so because there are surfers who think that longboards arent "cool" and they often advise beginners to just jump and grab the shortboard.

well, i started with a shortboard, maybe because of this reason too but mainly because theres a shortage of longboards in the phils, and it took me hell of a long time before i could even catch a wave. when  i learned how to, it took me even longer to learn how to manuever.  looking back i realize that it was so stupid of me to choose the shortboard over the longboard when i was starting out.  although i did learn how to surf on a shortboard i eventually decided to use a longboard, why? because i get more rides on a longboard even if only get to surf on weekends.  sometimes i even get great rides , twisting and turning on those nice waves. maybe youll look like a pro when you carry those shortboards on the beach but surfing is not fun at all unless you are riding those waves. so unless you get to surf everyday, which will make you fit enough to catch lots of waves on a short one,  i bet youd be better off riding longer boards!

for those out there who are just starting to surf just consider what ive said here when youre buying a board! at the end of the day its not how big/small your board is, its how much you enjoy surfing and how good your rides are. and maybe for some how big the waves are!

never stop surfing!

I've been reading posts in this board for a while.  I wish I was out there for your party.  I don't plan to be in Manila until December.  Maybe I'll get to meet some of you.

Folks who think longboarders can't surf just don't know what it means to surf.  I guess if they want to just surf a short board, let them... No need to convince them the benefits of riding a longer board.

I know someone who thinks that you are wasting a wave when you ride a longboard.  He thinks that longboarding is just about getting up and riding straight to the beach.  I guess he just doesn't know how great it feels to ride get up a board, do a bottom turn, cross step up to the nose and back, and just ride with style.  

And when you are just starting, the benefits of riding a bigger board outweight the struggles of trying to ride a short board.

I agree with you.  I say, ride what you want to ride... as long as you are having fun.

Anyone who says longboarders can't surf is obviously on crack. The buddy I started to learn how to surf with is now hitting the north shore and catching head-high barrels in with his 9'4. As for me, Still furstrated with cathcing and paddling on my midsize 8 months after switching. But then again, natural na akong bano, e.  
Learning on a longboard definitely makes it easier on the beginner. However, I think another reason peeps choose short over long is because they're cheaper. A secondhand longboard in Hawaii (where surfboards seem to grow out of trees sometimes) can cost anywhere from 250$ above, whereas a nice, hybrid midsize (7'0 above) can go for as low as 100$. Less material to make a board, less cost, and 1 - 1 1/2 ft of less material makes for big savings. Also given the fact that shaping hasn't really gone fullscale here, you're forced to import. The kids in Zambales surf on these ratty 6'0s, and a pretty beaten-up 5 1/2, but they still surf like maniacs (at least in my eyes).
I guess from experience, a longboard makes it easier to learn, but equally important really is finding a board with the right thickness to start with. As anyone who started on a shortie knows, it's a b*tch to paddle out when you feel like you're sinking. My 8'0 isn't the longest in the world (then again, not the shortest), but it's got just enough thickness for clumsy mo'fo's like me to even catch 1 ft waves. Food for thought.
If your'e gonna start, I suggest just borrow or buy cheap. It really shouldn't be too expensive a sport, kaso, for a scene trhat does more importing than shaping, alam naman natin bugbog na yung peso sa dolyar, so just be smart. And if the locals in Zamb can learn how to surf like freaks on shortboards, so can you. Tiyaga lang, then agen, it helps when you do live by the ocean.

For longboarders that rip, I suggest look for footage of Bonga perkins, the man surfs 15 ft high Haleiwa surf on a 9'2 like nobody's business, and will surf nothing but longboards. Ingat sa alon!

Hi all
wow we could go on (and on),,,longboards vs short boards vs skim boards vs body boards vs kite boards,,,lol

We are all in the water and sharing the stoke, I have had some days body surfing shorebreak or walking the beach picking up garbage and had just as much fun (okay amost as much) as riding ripping waves with my board.

I think that this choice is up to the person and thier style and level of surfing/balance/strength/patience/chi/gya

well never really surfed a longboard when I started surfing
But did learn how to get up and ride cranking shorebreak and bail survival...lol
Most of my longboards are 9'4 guns used for those rare days when I feellike riding something over 8' hawaii size

It takes a little longer to learn shortboarding than longboarding, sure

but if you want to get into the waves making super late drops and make allot of turns, off the lips mini airs and three sixteys the only way,
Sure there are people like my friends that can rip a longboard and do some cool stuff but most peoplelearning are happy just to stand up and look like "hey I am surfing"
This is good I guess for learning but will these same people ever give up that plank and be able to make that long air drop into a barrel later on?
longboards are great for when the surf is all blown out and mushy barely rideable.
So now went from having never owned a longboard to owning one, it sits stratigically placed in my yard waiting for teaching someone how to stand up on and when there's summer mushy waves to ride...and they are fun and a good workout too! that huge board works those arms out good...not to mention how you have to duck die (not dive) that monster
Those "potato stick" shapes that they push at the surf shops work fine for someone who is light and a strong paddler but for mushy small waves and us bigger guys a thicker board and a lttle wider, thicker or longer is the trick.
Thickness seems to be a trade in flotation to speed, narrowed rails work.Have a thinner board that is really fast but because of my weight paddles harder.
To each his own
grabbing my custom waterlogged 6'10 and off to N shore...
will work for surf

let's give the shortboarders some credit. i'd like to think that they prefer the shorter stick because it's what they like to ride, not because they think it's cooler or what the ones before them whispered in their ears. I'm a shortboarder, but i have nothing against longboards. i'd use one if i had one, given the right wave conditions; but sad fact is i don't have anything over 6'3" in my quiver. maybe if i save up some more money, i'll definitely graze over the 9+ pastures.
aside from that, i'd also say they picked the shortboard over the longboard because it was what was available. i'm pretty sure you know how hard it is to come by a cheap longboard; shortboards being a more common sight in the 2nd hand / brand new market we have here. aside from the availability, it's no contest that shortboards are easier to bring around, be it on the beach, in the bus, plane, or your car's roof. those things, in my opinion, affected their decisions more than the cool factor, if they even bothered with that one at all. coolness should never be the gauge for one's choice of ride. that's surfing for the wrong reasons. fun, now that's the factor. whatever gives you a bigger smile, then your choice suits you fine.
surfing is great. shortboarding, longboarding, skimboarding, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, they're all good.
keep surfing guys  

Very educational Al   ,I'll consider that one of the first tips I got from you. It's great that you actually started this. A male friend of mine who learned how to surf in Australia (and thinks he's all that  ) gave me that exact same tip - go with the longboard first. Guess he was right all along...In the beginning, I thought he wasn't serious, coz he was kinda discouraging me when I told him that I wanted to learn. But now I know that,I'd go find myself a longboard.

Can't wait.....

you sound like you're tryin to sell something my friend. is it the IMAGE of long boards/boarders being much more "COOL" than its present state? well, if it is, good luck.  this country is obsessed by "being cool" but what most dont realize is that you can only look cool for so long. In your new shorts,new rashie,your "short" stick with the perfect sticker placements. but anyone can look COOL. to be cool is actually not giving a shit too much. to just enjoy the day and the friends your there with.  No one will look COOL their first few times...we all went through that and god knows i STILL dont look cool.  short/long it doesn't make much difference in terms of stoke. that comes from inside. maybe we all should stop worrying about the COOL factor and start worrying about actually learning how to ride those damn things.  now that would be cool....

hey AL, i never said "you were tryin to sell anything" it was just an observation,an OPINION. now, thats out of the way, why do you seem so upset? are YOU the only one entitled to an opinion? so what if im wrong? why do you let it ruin your day? you must be one of those aggro surfers who just drop in and run over everyone i've read your other posts here and you seem like a nice guy, decent even. i know you have your secret stash somewhere...so right after you read this, hava a little puff puff...hold it.....HOLD it.... EXHALE! aaahh, isn't that so much better? c'mon, we've had low pressures and dark clouds everywhere. dont make it any darker...sunshine;) your like one of the OLDEST members here right? so c'mon joe pro, prove this rookie wrong!

al!don't have a cardiac on us,we still need mr.longboard around you know!Dont let this waxedass pirate irritate you Like he said,everyones entitled to their own opinions even if you disagree.

The whole longboard/shortboard/bodyboard//and every other board type issue has been around for ages.And its always going to be around for as long as riding waves exists.People are still going to be strutting with their chosen type of board,wearing the cool clothes and talking the talk just to look cool and good on them if they want to look like fools,it doesnt matter.I know it can be irritating at times seeing the thing you love doing the most being glamourised by people who are only in it for whatever image reason.As long as youre out there having fun on whatever board you want to ride then thats all that matters yeh?

Longboards shortboards, beginners, long time surfers, locals... any other people in the line up are just another number in the crowd. And on a good fun sized crowded day... you can hear surfworthies wishing it would get bigger to send the wave blocks to the shore.
Who cares about what kind of board one starts out with... I live with two other shortboarders who on their very first day started with one... I on the other hand had a nine o on my first day and still stick to my credo. Imagine living with this guys. My oxbow against their volcom vids... I only had one longboard crap reading material compared with their dozens of transworld surf mags... But everytime we talk about surfing it's always just about the waves and the fun of riding it. It's all about RESPECT!!! R-E-S-T-P-E-C!!!
Those taught by locals usually starts out with shortboards rightaway... Surf schools uses longboards for their students. When I was first starting on my niner, surf vets are telling me that my longboards too big for me. I'm sick of hearing people telling whats the best type of board are best for beginners.You want the right answer? Go look up the height, weight vs. size and shape chart on surfing 101.
I know people who started with longboards and eventually become shortboarders... Once shortboarders who are now longboarders... you and arch... My two most favorite people in the line up. I've started with some people in my still favorite break... La Union and I've seen this people go, most of them found something maybe what they think are more coolworthy trend, some of them left to find an uncrowded new place ... I don't care... But what saddens me though is when people forget where they started... And say that Longboard's are just for beginners as La Union are just for new faces... the celebrities and the wannabe's.
People surf and go...But those who become surfers are people who stayed surfing.
Forever Longboard... Forever La Union... Forever burglary... In memory of Surfy... Wakenam sentimental fool!!!

... anyway, if surfing was only about being/looking cool, everyone would be riding a kneeboard !! ha,ha,ha. Right Millie ?

yeeeeeesss Jerry ..hahaha..nah,Im joking Of course everyone would be riding kneeboards!

Thanks,Mill     You brought an old man happiness on his birthday. Just for that your invited over to our place in G.L. for dinner if your in the neighborhood late Feb. early Mar. My wife makes the best tamales on Siargao. [ well, the only tamales on Siargao ] Cheers, Jerry

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JERRY! You're not old!
You're kickin around Siargao,being a SUPER cool kneeboarder If thats what happens when youre old thn I cant wait to be old!!

thanking you for the offer for dinner too!hehe

Sorry for my complete ignorance but what are/is tamales?I just went outside to ask mum..haha..and she's like "HUH!?WHA??HUH!?",so I thought Id just ask you instead.

You know, tamales. "A highly seasoned dish made of chopped meat and crushed peppers rolled in cornmeal dough, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed " As in Mexican food. Taco's, burritos, enchilada's etc.   And believe me, you CAN and WILL wait to be old ! Happy Holidays to ya !

ohhhh...ok!haha .deh.Don't worry,Im not going to try and speed up the ageing process Hey Mark are you getting any waves down in Syd?after the flooding and psychotic winds stopped and turned this afternoon it was abt 4ft and glassy.still not out there yet tho,but it looked good

Hey Millie still onshore down here maybe tomorrow. Swells around the 4-5ft mark. You see this months tracks yet nice photos from the October typhoon swell in the PI that should start the crowds rolling in. Hope they all know you dont get waves like that very often. How long you going to be in the PI?
Jerry happy birthday mate.Those tamales sound alright.
Al hope your back in the water.
Bryant you still out there.
Agnes hows Virac and Sponj hope all is well.
I'm not going to comment on the longboarder thing that's even too controversial for me. If you dont drop in and you have respect who gives a f#@k what type of thing you ride.
Hope you are all getting wet
Cheers

Thanks, Mark. Diden't get a birthday surf in. The local bouy said 23 ft. !! And believe it or not, the day before was 3 ft. Ah, surfing in Oregon.

heya mark.nope,I havent seen the new tracks yet,Ill chk it out this morning tho!Theres also a little article in ASL this month abt the comp too.One of my friends is a professional surfer and he saw the C9 piks that Kage took and  also the article in Tracks and was blown away by it.Hes surfed it a few times,but never seen it that big.He said the same thing as you...that its not always like that and people might have this perception that its like that come season.

Im just going to get a one year ticket and visa and see where that takes me.It'd make things easier,but Im not sure if I can get a filipino passport?Mum was born there and she was still a citizen of the Philippines when she gave birth to me out here in australia.She became an australian citizen just after I was born.Im not sure how it all works?Your kids were born in the Philippines yeh?

Hey Millie
Yeh my kids were born in the PI and both have duel citizenship. In Oz if one of your parents is an Aussie citizen then you automatically get citizinship. I dont know if it works that way in the PI you should ask the Philippine Consulate in Brisbane they should be able to fix it up for you. Best to have both passports so that you dont have to pay the travel tax as well as the departure tax when you leave.
Jerry seems like you guys get a lot of big surf in your neck of the woods.
Still onshore and crap here. Maybe tomorrow
Cheers Mark

Heya Mark,yeh Ill have to head to the consulate to get more info about it.Sometimes when Mum and I both go back to the Phils I get a Balikbayan thing which allows me to stay for a year without a visa,but shes not going to the Phils till late next year again.Its ok though,its not that much of a hassle,was just curious tho!I checked out that article about the Phils.The waves are crazy!Some of those waves are so square.The articles a little bit of a generalisation tho.

Millie you should still be entitled to get a Balikbayan visa even if you travel alone. Show them one already in your passport and tell them you are visiting your relatives I am fairly sure you can do this.
Cheers
PS Surf is pumping.

December is the longboarding season for Zambales.  Everyone is welcome!  Also you might want to just try out some of the 17 cool surfspots in this Province.