There are no rules that say you have to learn on a longboard. There are some surfers who begin with a shortboard and master it. However, most people start out with the longboard and learn faster that way because the thickness allows you to float more and gives you more stability. A shortboard is harder to paddle and you might have more problems catching waves because it is difficult to catch a wave early with a shortboard. A longboard will enable you to catch waves and stand up easier.
If you do start with the shortboard, try not to go with something too small or thin. You also want to make sure the board is wide enough to float you. There are some good intermediate length boards that you can learn on, such as fun shapes and other hybrids. But in order to turn with more quickness, you’ll want something that is not as wide.
