Walk into your local dealer and start a conversation.
There is so much to learn in this wonderful new sport, and so many pitfalls.

There is also plenty to be saved with some good advice.
If you can save having to buy just one less board in your progression in the sport, though good solid advice, you are way ahead of any savings when buying from someone who just does not care.

Hi,I'm kind'a in the same boat.After riding long boards full time for the last 10 years I thought a 10'6"x28" was hugh,but once I got it in the water and tried to stand up on it it all of a sudden shrunk to nothing.But every time I go out I get a little more confidence and I feel I'll master this board sooner or later.After saying that I will say I'm definatly getting a new board as soon as I can afford to because when I purchased my board I was thinking purely of riding waves and not of paddling in various conditions.My next board will be longer,wider and have a lot less rocker with a big concave right under my feet.