I am useless at kiting on a twintip. I find switch really difficult after 30 years of surfing. I just want to get into the surf and an instructor recently told me to just go straight to a surfboard. I am bit confused about what to look for. Two boards I have spotted have vastly different lengths and widths. I am a beginner, but I can surf well and will almost certainly ride strapped. I tow surf so I do have fair bit of experience with straps and like what they bring to surfing. I live in Busselton and will surf the waves down Margies way.
So what will be more appropriate for a beginner? And is there any chance a beginner suitable board will handle the juice. I am 6'2" and weigh 87 kgs.
The boards: 6'3" x 17"
5'11" x 19"
The six footer is a rounded pin and the other is a squash tail. Neither are anywhere near dimensions I surf although the 6'3" does sort of resemble my tow board.
Both would work but my pick would be the 5'11 squash.
Give it ago with the surfboards you've got .... (except if its a mal)
Anything under 6'6", between 18" and 20" wide and 2 1/8 to 2 3/4 thick.
Polyester surfboards will get a bit beaten up so dont use your favourite to start with.
Straps will be easier and you can buy tow plugs and install them and just use the starps of your tow board.
i long ago found the joys of volume for paddle surfing and I start at 6'6" x 19 1/4 x 2 3/4 with 13 3/4 tails and full rails. Almost 80's volume. I thought about using one of them but when I look at kite surfboards none of them come close in dimensions so I thought it best to look for a specialist one. I was leaning towards the 5'11" as I figured width must be more stable.
You will still want to switch on a surfboard,deffinatly will make life easier.
I too have surfed for about as long as you, and am a natural footer. But with the kite to "balance" against, goofy is easy. Still there's no way knowing I could go goofy just surfing. 
For kitesurfing waves I find -in general- a smaller board is for mushier, smaller waves.
You'll want a 6'1 + for the bigger waves down your way, IMO. I ride a Whip (5'8, same weight as you, but am 6'4) and although its fine in NSW conditions, it got a little sketchy on the bigger stuff at Lancelin, Greenhead and Gnaraloo. Hard to keep a little board like that under control at speed.
I'm looking into buying a board more suited to bigger waves and am considering the North Kontakt 6'1 or Slingshot 6'1 Tyrant.
Ditch the straps and go a surfboard same dims as what you surf...
Keep it simple, keep it light.
Keep it a traditional surfboard and not a kite surf-cork....
Generally,
- The 6'3 will be better in bigger waves and/or high winds. This isn't necessarily due to length but more so rocker and width.
- The 5'11 will be better in small waves/chop/mush and a better light wind board. Again rocker and width are the key influences.
