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with your body size i would recommend a larger board than a 138. look at the 140cm and above.
as for a good board... try to demo as many boards as possible to get an idea of what you like if at all possible. Make sure to get good boots too. comfortable boots are more important than the board of choice in many cases
here is a description of major board types/ features to help you narrow you choices and describe what you would like best from a board to fit your (desired) style of riding.
1. Rocker Type (one of the most significant characteristics in a board)
A. Three-Stage Rocker
* more aggressive, sometimes considered less predictable pop
* steeper trajectory through the air after hitting the wake
* tends to be more mellow in speed when carving and edging
* may not land as soft as continuous for reasons stated above.
* "aggressive-" and "abrupt three stage" boards are exaggerated forms of three stage
B. Continuous Rocker
* Predictable smooth pop
* broader arching trajectory path to land further out
* tend to be faster when edging and carving
* tend to land a bit softer
C. Hybrid Rocker
* These seek to blend the characteristics of 3 stage and continuous rockers in various degrees
* "continuous hybrid," "subtle three stage," and "progressive three stage" are some of the other names that fit in this category
2. Flex (another feature that will affect the characteristic of the ride significantly
* the board bend/ "flex" more noticeably than others
* described as giving a "lively pop"-like loading the board like a spring or bow
* tends to land softer, especially when landing tail heavy
* increasing in popularity for hitting obstacles and pressing on rails (but largely equally good for riding wake to wake too)
* often described as mimicking a "snowboard style"
* still a relatively new technology, there are various degrees of flex being incorporated into boards including some "hybrid classes" of flex.
3. Edges and Rails (many boards blend two or more of the styles below)
A. Beveled Rails
* a softer rail that is more forgiving to catching an edge on water or on obstacles
* slower, more mellow transitions from edge to edge
* generally used and seen only on the midsection of a board
B. Sharp Rail
* quick transitions from edge to edge
* less forgiving
C. Cupped Rail
* very fast transitions and reaction
* almost like a tiny long fin resting right on the edge
* only used and seen towards the tips and tails of boards
4. Fins and Molded-in Fins
* a good board will have either molded-in fins or the option of a bolted on fin near all 4 corners of the board. this allows for at least one fin in the water at all times when edging for additional control(4 or more fins, molded and or bolted on)
* larger fin sizes give more traction
* generally, but not always, more fins equals more traction (many choose to ride without bolted on fins, especially if it is a center one)
* Fins closer to the tip and tail will give more traction and release later off the wake
* Fins further from the ends will release sooner
5. Other Features
* Center/Belly Spines are said to create softer landings
* Speed enhancing features such as; vented channels, O'Brien's "Delta base," etc.
* etc.
6......
note: this list is not fully inclusive but i believe it lists the major factors at least. board descriptions will and should (re)explain other features as applied
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