Hi Mr Weetabix
Well, as you might have found out - the "very" board you choose is not that important.
And there is no such thing as a "beginner" wave board - which is your luck - as you dont need to move on after your initial experiences
BUT - if you REALLY love waveboards, you will move on and on and on for a long time, till you find the "perfect" board - which might be perfect for a period only, or till it "evaporates" and "desintegrates"
(yes - love to a specific board is an amazing thing - but it happens).
Just get "any" board, and thats it
I have read many of your posts - and my intuition says that you got the "right spirit" (can not explain, just a good hunch/feeling).
And believe you me - as I often says "carving is life" - so understand that feel 100%.
But I am a bit more curious about you saying "there is no surf to speak of" where you live ?
This is a VERY individual thing, everywhere.
I have to say, that even 1 foot wind waves, can be a blast to ride on a directional - and it will also give you the skills to be able to slash really big waves awesome
Some dont want to ride small waves, yes.
Others, like me, just LOVE small waves as their are usually really steep - and you get practice in jibing really tight and fast and keeping your momentum
Also love riding 20 foot waves or more - but all the skill and love comes from being able to ride really small waves IMO
Wind has to be somewhat sideshore - do you have that sometimes ?
If so, I would say that NO wave is too small to be ridden/smacked
Peter
PS: Strapless or not - does not matter much, just choose what you feel for without thinking...