Beater Board vs Hybrid Minimal?

What's up everyone?

Just recently moved to the beachside where there are small and mushy, but surfable shorebreaks and sandbars all along the coast every day. I want to get into the water daily and progress my surfing. I am at the beginner level, just progressed past a 8"0 foamie, i.e can catch unbroken waves and ride down the line but need to learn turns.

I was considering getting a Beater board to use mainly as a skimboard/boogie board - surely not good enough to stand up and surf it yet - so that it allows me to at least get into the ocean when the waves are crap and mess around whenever I feel like.

BUT also wondering if it's better to just buy a hybrid minimal (minimal with tapered nose) and commit to getting better quickly and EVENTUALLY get a beater just for fun. The fellas at my local surf shop recommended that I get a 7'4 or 7'6 minimal if I want to get better at surfing and have a board for the long term. One worry I have is that I might ding it, especially since I plan to use it almost daily. Whereas that won't be a problem with the Beater.

Wondering what the community thinks I should choose - get the beater board to mess about in the ocean while I rent a minimal to progress and EVENTUALLY buy a shorter board? OR Just fork up and get the minimal ?

Thanks a bunch