In regard to east coast vs west coast boards I don't really think there is a difference when it comes to geographical location. It is more about the waves.

I am from Florida and just started surfing last year during hurricane season. I had never been on a surfboard before but my dad was surfing and I wanted to try it.

He was riding a rented board from the beach it was like an 8'ft board and within 15 min on the board I was lucky enough to catch a wave and ride it in.

The waves were huge that day tho so I think that is why it was so easy to hop up on the board. My parents acted like I had just walked on water or sumthin because according to my mom who can't surf at all she said I made it look easy.

The waves were like 6-8ft that day thank you tropical storms.

I have been studying up on boards and learning about the difference in them and what I have learned is that for smaller waves you need a bigger board unless of course you are really really good at catching waves.

When starting out it is good to start out with a longer board so that you can get used to riding waves and then the better you get the easier it is to transition into smaller boards to learn how to turn on the waves and eventually do tricks.

I could be wrong, and I would love to hear what others have to say.

It sucks being new to the sport because online I am finding people who have been surfing forever seem to act like newbies are a joke or waste of time but we all were new once and I just wish we could embrace each other as a family and help each other out. That is what I want to do for others as I grow in experience and talent. I really do want to be good enough to compete very soon.

Good luck to you and congrats on getting to go to Calie I hope to go there some day too.