First board

Welcome Captkook.

What's your age and have you ever surfed/skateboarder before.

The Soulstice is shaped more like a traditional log with a wider tail and nose. It looks higher volume and it's probably more stable (though harder to turn unless you can walk around the board). I don't know for sure but it may also have less rocker (be flatter) which means it goes better in really small dribbly waves (good on the Sunshine Coast points when it's knee high) but it's easier to bury the nose when you are trying to get on the wave like most beginners do.

The Talisman has a comparatively pulled in tail which should make it a bit easier to turn without moving around the board but also probably less stable. You might have to persevere longer with this one to get to your feet but I would be inclined to say this might be easier overall for the beginner. Either one is fine though and you can keep them as a small wave board if you progress on to shorter boards.

Thanks Macaha!

I've been surf err... browsing some more and I found the Torq TET 9' too.

Would this one be alright too? It is a bit more expensive though at $799.

Whilst this is a lb forum my advice would be, don't buy a longboard to learn on. I see people do this all the time and it just doesn't really work, dramatically slows down your progression.

If you are starting off your better off with an 7'5" - 8' chunky board somewhere in the 50l range, ideally a modern foamy like a Mick Fanning for example, you'll even see many experienced surfers riding these as they are all made and proper surf designs... Once your up abs trimming and progressing then decide if you want to learn the art of longboarding or if you want to go shorter... Or both.

These boards are far more forgiving and manageable and your less likely to damage yourself and others... But the main reason is they are MUCH easier to get in proper trim, you can basically pop up anywhere on them and ride a wave with decent efficiency which is why the surf schools use them...

With a Longboard, anything 9' plus you need to move forward and backwards on the board to obtain trim and to turn, if you don't they just push water and bog down and you'll just continue riding the whitewater, and you don't want that. Once you get that first clean water ride down the face of a wave in proper trim, there really is no going back, it's an incredible sensation...

I would also recommend one on one lessons with a local instructor... This will stop you learning bad habits that later are much harder to correct age also teach you the etiquette of the lineup which is super important. Half a dozen lessons will seriously save you years of heartache and years of slow progression, worth every penny...

Anyways, enjoy the journey dude...

Hi Capt , I got the solstice as a muck around summer board and it's pretty fun. It's very light though so different to normal longboard.

I agree with Andy go something around the 8 foot range as you will be able to take the drop and turn much easier