Regarding FIT: I got this to help my 12 year old learn to wakeboard. He was 95 lbs and wore a size 7.5 shoe. He is 13 and 110lbs and wearing a 8.5 shoe and can still ride this board... We also moved the bindings over to a larger board that a 24 year old had with a damaged binding and his feet are size 10. As for control: this board has a single fin at each end and is best described as Slippery on the water compared to other boards we’ve used. Lastly, if I had it to do over... I’d definitely go with a larger board. More surface area helps the novice get up and ride. Yes, larger means heavier and therefore harder to do tricks but when they are just starting out they just need to learn how to ride...Best of luck