thanks for the advice, i am going to borrow a friends board at first, ones of thoses real big ones ie 200cm, that should get me going, then after a few weeks, i probably get a shorter board, neither the 148 or 158 twin tip which should keep me going for a bit, hopefully get me jumping and riding upwind etc.
If anyone knows of any good beginner boards around 150 - 160, please let me know.