It helps if you have friends who surf or an instructor who can lead you in the right direction for your skill level, but if you don't, you can read this easy guide on finding the right board. It might be tempting, especially in a beachside location or if you have friends that surf, to just grab a surfboard and go for it.
Now surfers can surf year round, as well as in places with freezing cold water, and keep warm. The arms of the suit generally are thinner than the rest, allowing the freedom to paddle the board. The wind blows over a huge area and then the water rises forming waves and swells that are sent all over whichever the wind blows that is where the swells are headed.
It will not perform miraculous feats of trickery, but it will pick up the waves easily and provides a good deal of stability down the crest. The gun is a distinctive board. While it is usually by beginners you will often see an advanced surfer using them between the flags at the beach.
Hopefully you already know that a rip is a strong current that generally goes straight out to sea. Good surfing instruction really does make a world of difference.