Board for Newbie, and wife

Hey all, new to the surf side. Buying a 2011 Epic and want to get the wife and kids started on surfing. I have surfed with a friend a few times, not doing any tricks just having fun. So my question is this.

I need a board, and want wife to be able to use it. Also would love kids to either have a board or be able to use ours. I am 6'1 165lbs wife is 120lbs and kids are 8 and 6 yrs old. What should I be looking for?

Also I have no idea what the difference is between surf and skim, so someone tell me what I should look at gettin just to have some fun. Want to be able to do it without rope for long run so wife enjoys it. HELP!!

Thanks.

Check out the wake9.com or walker project grom board for the kids.

thanks, what about me? and wife?

as long as you purchase a board made in the USA you will be fine no matter what you choose.
friends dont let friends surf outsourced china stixx crap.
peace.

Lol

So many entry level boards to choose from, it can get overwhelming. Here's a few I'd suggest looking in to. Are you looking for a board that fits in a regular wakeboard rack, or do you have a surf rack or Z5?

Hyperlite Broadcast (~$310), probably the 4'9" for your sizes/weights. The 8 year old could probably ride this board too.
CWB Ride (~$350), another good entry level board that will be good for learning and teaching.
Inland Surfer Blue Lake (~$575) is a good board if you want to spend the extra cash.

As for surf vs. skim.... surf style is for slayshing the wave and catching big air, while skim is for surface spins and other tricks (I know, very quick and basic determination)



And here's a picture of my Walker board for h20k9

We started with a Broadcast 4.9, and moved to something more advanced 3 weeks later. Wife and I and 12yr daughter share a Phase5 Drew Small now (I weight most at 155lbs). My kids 12/10/7 all use the Phase5 Scamp. Sinks well for the kids and wife and fits in wake racks. We've used almost a dozen other boards and we seem to be P5 converts. The whole family used a P5 Icon for a year but the Scamp sits better for them and helped my daughter learn to edge better. Hard to throw one board out there to fit everyone. We have some surf style boards and wife and kids couldn't sink them to get up on them well so I kept a TWP board for myself.

I think retail on the scamp is $250 and great for the kiddos. That's my experience. Too much out there really to say 1 board IMO.

Thanks guys! I have seen that video before (few nights ago I found it) I was hoping to get one but looks like I most likely need to get 2. Thanks I will look at
phase5 and those others.