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, al,

I saw this posting of yours just a few minutes ago, and I realize it's been 9 months since you put it on the boards. Anyway, I hope the dream is still alive with you, as I myself had this idea of manufacturign surfboards locally in the Philippines. Being addicted to the stoke, I can't help but think that unless we can manufacture our own blanks to encourage the shapers out there, we'll forever be condemned as surfers forever wiping out on pricey imported boards and never making it out of the barrel of this developing economy.
I have some ideas, not very well flushed out, but ideas of how the company could grow. I can't help you with statistics and cost figures for shaping, but like you, am extremely eager to find out more. I'd like to talk story with you on your ideas, maybe we can put our heads together and see if this is something we can do here. PLus, the given service we can do by establishing permanent jobs in the economy tyhrough manufacturing. I think there's a market out there, both local and export, that we can totally get a slice out of.
On a side note, have you shaped before? I'm seriously inspired to try and shape my own board now, but am looking for information on material availability, techniques and just gaining experience. Personally, I failed shop class and am a clutz with a grinder, but am eager to learn. And, I think it would be best for us to try and shape our own boards first before we think about surf factories in the Philippines. PErhaps getting Dandan to give us some insight on the trials and tribulations of shaping (I hear that all shapers cry when they do their first board...that difficult, or so a friend told me). Anyway, if you still reply to this, hit me back. I'm in Manila, so if you're in town, feel free to communicate with me. If I can't surf regularly because of my 9-5, then I'll bring the experience to me through grinders, resins and whatnot. Peace.

-JPO

Hey, Nlights,

You still got the used kiteboard? Would be interested in it, but still don't know how to kitesurf. 6T is a steal, though. You wouldn't happen to have the kite with you, too, would you? Just inquiring.

-JPO

Sweet. Thanks al, I'd love to hook up with some shapers out here, just to get an idea of what I may be getting myself into. If you could intro me to some of them, I'd appreciate it much.

Keep hold of the dream. I know it's a long ways away, even for me, but it never hurts to start doing little plans. I know they're making blanks in Indonesia and Thailand now (according to some friends of mine, that'sv where a lot of the Hawaiian shapers are getting their blanks from), and I'm sure we can get a piece of this. If you ever want to talk story and bounce ideas off someone, let me know. Just interested in your thoughts on surfboard manufacturing. Personally, I think the nitty gritty will not be graphics, ads and designs, but the actual mfg process of it. Good talking to you, and give me a shoutout when you want to talk. Peace!

-JPO

For the nose ding on the longboard, it shouldn't be too complicated, just neeed one of those ding repair kits and some coarse, 80 grade sandpaper (get a coupole of sheets sa hardware store). That said, it will be matrabaho, but if a sander is not available, what else can we do? Won't be too hard, hindi naman parang nagtutulak ka ng elepante uphill sa Makiling, just need a few hours to smoothen out the ding. And sunlight to dry the resin solutions. Did basic repairs on my board back in the day, and it's tedious, but fun and a learning experience, good bonding time with your board. For ding repair kits, walang tatalo sa Solarez. Good luck, 'igan!

Hey, Maui, probably got help on this already. If not, then the answer in my opinion is yes, weight will be a factor, although not until you go past the 155 lbs mark. Don't know how well you surf, what you like to surf, etc, but a 7'0 - 8'0 with a little thickness (At least 2 1/2) would be good, just for stability. Ultimately though, nasa iyo na yun. Wag lang magpadala sa itsura. Hope this helps. Peace!