Which board

[Millsy82]

After moving to Cornwall I decided I should try surfing so I've done a couple of lessons and I loved it. Now I am looking at getting a board and have been to speak to a few surf shops and both recommend a softie of some sorts 1 being an 8 ft Californian surf company and another being a redback, what I don't want to do is buy something I will soon find doesn't suit me (I did that in kayaking and ended up buying 3 different kayaks in 6 months due to my ability coming on pretty quick)

What are people thoughts of a first board? On my lessons I could stand quite regularly and turned a few times (may of been more luck than judgement)