Hard to answer. Do you want a surf style board where you can carve and flow and get a little air with the occasional 360 or a skin style board where you can slash and spin and also get the occasional air? Each style has a lot more to offer, buts that’s my simplified approach. I’m a surf style guy. I’m 5’11 190 my wife 5’5 110. We own a doomswell nubstep 4’6, slingshot gnarlwhal 4’10, ronix koal 4’10. We love all of them. The nubstep is a little short for me so we just bought a 4’8. His and hers I guess. I don’t own any skim style but have ridden a phase 5 board and it’s not my jam. I ocean surf and like that feeling.

My advice is find some friendly folks at the lake or visit your local shop and try as many boards as you can. Most will loan them out so you can find what you like. Surf you heart out make a decision mid summer or after you’ve got some time with each style.