Sorry but that board isn't suitable for beginners at all.

It was made in the 1990s for experts to race on.

My advice...take it back to where you found it.

If you do give it a go I'd recommend you do three things with the board.

Firstly remove the footstraps. Footstraps will get in the way

Secondly improve the non stick on the board by sugercoating it or something like that. Otherwise the board will be very slippery.

Thirdly, fix some sort of centre fin the the middle of the board, somewhere close to the mast track. Just make something out of plywood and then try and glue it or fix it somehow to the board without putting a hole in the board.

These three mods should not cost you much and will make learning on the board a easier.


A question. Does the board come with a fin? If not its going to be a pain to source and its probably not worth using this board. I think Tiga used its own fin system, the Conic box.

You could check out the tip shop that's between Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads, if you're really lucky my old Bombora with two sails will still be there... That's what I learnt on, it worked for me

A surf rod will be way, way too flexy.

Keep an eye out on gumtree and here, also have a chat to the boys in Surf FX -- they might know of somewhere you can get some old gear to get started on.

Sam

Not sure if you're fully set up now but if you have problems with the TIGA board (which might be difficult to learn on, especially in the Tweed) and you can't afford more modern gear (which really would be better for you) then I have an older Bic board which might be a better board for you to learn on. It's wider and possibly more buoyant and stable than the TIGA but should go fast in the right hands as well. Comes with adjustable centreboard, adjustable mast track, two piece fibreglass mast, replacement (stainless) mast step fitting as well as all the original fittings including footstraps. No sail I'm afraid but I have added a European pin fitting to the mast step set up which will now fit a more modern mast extension as well.
The fin is the original so no need to mess about adapting anything. I also glued some rubber surfboard mat on to make up for the slippery deck and it works well.
You can have the lot for $100 if the TIGA doesn't work for you. I also have a more modern, 460cm, 25% carbon mast (two piece) which I'll throw in for an extra $50.
I live in Kingscliff so respond to this post if you're interested - maybe some of the other more experienced sailors who responded to your original post can let you know what they think of the board, price etc before you commit.