Free handy problem solver for surfboard Building Kits

Hello, growing up in So. Cal. I have been surfing for over twenty years. Surfing is just like alot of other sports, the quality of the equipment you buy really does define the performance, not to mention the learning curve. Also being a skateboarder from way back, nothing bothered me more than seeing good intentioned parents at Wal Mart around Christmas time looking for the skateboard that little Timmy has been asking for since last January. I would often times have to stop and say a few words on Timmy’s behalf. I would say ” They dont sell skateboards here, they sell toy skateboards.” I know many of you reading this right now know exactly what I’m talking about. Have you ever tried to ride one of those pieces of crap? Next to impossible, inferier wheels, trucks that dont return to center, hell I’ve actually seen the trucks installed backwards before. I would politly ask the parents to visit a local skate shop and look at some well designed and built piece of sporting equipment which

your first surfboard (and whether mine is ride-able with practice)?
What were the dimensions of your first surfboard and your height?I’m about 5′5 (average build) and the board I’m using right now is 5′8 long, 17 1/8 inches wide, 2 1/2 inches thick. It keeps sinking after I get my first leg up to stand tho (my back leg in kneeling position surfboard Building Kits is the one sinking the board) and I’m not sure if I’m just not standing up fast enough, the waves aren’t big enough to keep my board up (i’m starting small on whitewash), or if I’m too tall for the board (which I didn’t think was possible but hey who knows). I don’t know the material’s name but it’s a hard-board haha (as in not a foam or composite board). So should I improve my speed or get a new board? (I’ve surfed a few times before, —I was more into bodyboarding for forever— and I can do okay for a beginner on short foamboards but I’m not sure how short/wide/thick to get a replacement board or if i even need to. plus foamboards are kinda clunky looking