Hi Casey It would be a challenge for me to successfully teach you over the internet how to surf. The best instruction is the best surfer is the one who has the most fun and I live that one.
Anyway as any sport it takes some work a few failures at the start. Since you are into martial arts you balance is probably pretty good.
Surf shops, lifeguards are probably a good place to start to find the beaches with good waves. Beach topgraphy or how the beach is formed is very important for formation of waves which is a science of it's own.
We simplify wave height from flat, knee high, waist high, chest high, and head high. To start waist high is best for an adult. A child can do knee high.
Beginners do better on longer boards (2.8 - 3.5) meters though kids due to their size can get by a on a short board (2 meters). I have a board that an aircraft could land on which shows my skill.
I have heard of foam and rubberized type boards that are less expensive and easy to surf on I will check up on them on manufacture if you wish.
Remember the best surfer is the one who has the most fun.
"All I want is a weeks pay for a day's work" Steve Martin
