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I've been out three times on the OR coast, and I've lived here my whole life boogie boarding but never surfing. Anyway I used a friends NSP 6'8" and then twice have rented a Robert August What I Ride and that one is 9' but I liked it a lot more. I'm thinking about getting a used board but I need something good, not too long, etc...The one I was thinking was 8'6" long; does that sound okay??

A lot is going to depend on your height/weight as you progress, but just starting out if you're of average build, etc., something in the mid 8'+ range should be fine in a longboard shape. 6'8" is way too small to start out on even in a fun shape (unless you're like 5'3" and 125 lbs).

Good luck, and here's the obligatory "beat it, kook!"

Thank you! I got a used Robert August What I Ride 9' board that I had rented a few times already. I love it! It has one long center fin and two shorter outside fins. I surfed Monday at Ecola State Park and it was great; 2'-4' or so. My issue is that I would paddle, then pearl, so I figured I should get further back. My board was faced straight in to shore (perpendicular) and I could never stand to make that 45 degree angle ride across the break. Maybe someday...

Darin, you might be getting in a little late too for having a longboard. Try sitting further out than the shortboarders and getting a jump on your paddle so you're up on your feet before it breaks. Longboards don't have much rocker so it helps to get in a little early.