y does everyone rip on sector 9, sure if you've been riding a board for years you may want something nicer, but for a beginner come on. i've been riding a shorter super flexy 9 w/ a tail for 3 years now and it still is fine. I ride it everyday to and from class as well as pretty much everynight in the summer. original bearings, wheels, and all, sure the bearings are getting a little slow, but they are 3 years old. The tail is starting to come apart a little, but thats from repeated manuals at 25 mph and f-in up.
And if you want to make it a little better, then buy aftermarket bearings/wheels.
Just don't spend a ton of money on your first board, b/c youll probably find something you like better after this summer, and find what kind of stuff you like/dislike. And then youll have a board u can beat up and let your friends borrow when u go shredding.