Buy a board that suits your style of riding. If you dropknee, then get a board with a narrower nose and wide-point further down the board. If you ride mainly prone, then look for something a bit wider in the shoulder region. Rounder boards are looser but go slower. Straight boards are less manouvreable but are faster. 60/40 rails hold in better on big bottom turns but 50/50 rails give you trim lines higher up in the face. If you have channels then then deeper the channel, the better you track but the less speed and spin ability. The flatter the rocker [the view of the board sideways] the faster you will go but if it is too flat then you will nosedive. Too much rocker will make the board go like a piece of turd and it is probably due to sitting in a store for ages and being bent over time.

If you surf smaller sized waves, then you will do better if you have a thicker than normal board. A rounder template will also help. If you surf larger waves, then a straighter, thinner board will help you in the larger powerful waves.

Grab the board and scan it carefully, looking for mistakes like if the sides are straight or if the board is joined together properly etc.

Find out what the fancy bits are for from the counter-jockey before you buy. Some things only suit advanced riders.

Ask if you can trade in your old board.