Any surfers on this board?

[GypsyAsh]

Hey, how goes it?

I'm going to Padre Island to stay with some friends and we're all dying to learn to surf.... I've been to Padre Island and the Corpus Christi area before..and fell in love...so odds are I'm going to become a resident after school is over and done with....
anyhow... I want to go ahead and buy a board before I go... but they sure as hell don't sell any in my neck of the woods....
So, For those of you who surf...
What's a good beginner's board to buy? I've looked around a little online..but i'm clueless... Brand? Size?.. anything would be helpful... cause I don't want to be laughed at when I walk on the beach with a pathetic 2x4 under my arm.... you know what I mean?!
Thanks dudes..