Does anyone know about this board?

[SmitZ]

I am thinking of getting my GF a board, she doesn't know much about surfing. Does anyone know about these boards?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/spo/565407108.html


Good deal? Yes? No? Thoughts?

[billie_morini]

Well, if you want to start her on a soft top, this will be OK. Remember, the most important thing for beginners is a board that offers lots of floatation. Right there around Santa Cruz you can find these and other brands of soft tops in used condition for less than the $150. I've seen then as low as $50 on Craigslist. You can also search around the board rental businesses and find them used for less than $150. Frankly, if I was buying one of these types of boards, I'd buy a used one because they tend to end up not used much or outgrown. That said, I just don't like the idea of starting a beginner on a soft top board. I figure that thousands and thousands of people worldwide have learned to surf for many decades with conventional boards. Therefore, what's the point of using one of these boards that are outgrown rapidly by serious groms. Another aspect of these boards I don't like, especially for woman, is they are HEAVY! This becomes apparent very quickly when you have to carry one (say from the 41st Street parking lot to the 38th Street surf spot. The weight will practically kill you). For my wife and many of my friends, I find thick (as close to 3in as I can find), conventional, 9-foot long boards. If you get lucky, which is possible in big surf locations like Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, and San Diego, you can find one of these boards for $200 used. Most of the time, you'll find quite a few for about $300 used. A beginner and many intermediate surfers simply don't need a new board; so save some money. (I buy most everything used.) Oh, and be sure not to buy a performance long board for a beginner. Just need a plain ol' one.

Now, if you are set on a soft top, this one is as good as any.

So sorry if I told you things you already know. In this case, maybe this info and bias will benefit someone else.

[jethrodog]

Just to clarify, this is a "foamy" style board, not a true soft top. A soft top is an epoxy board with a grip type covering over the complete top. This is a foamie, soft foam throughout. I tried one in Santa Cruz last may, same brand.

Don't get a foamie. You will be disappointed by how quick the GF will grow out of it and be tired of it. They don't turn. At all.

I actually liked the SoftTop I surfed a couple times. Yes, very heavy, hard to paddle out through bigger beach breaks, but then if you are using a SoftTop then you probably aren't paddling out through that. They are indestructible, you can buy them new for between $300 and $400, and they hold their value fairly well. Perfect for 38th and Pleasure's.

I suggest that if you want to check out a true SoftTop so you can compare it to a poly longboard, head down to Santa Cruz Surf Shop and check them out. Either they, or Freeline rent them to try out.

[Otter]

Sweet Jesu! $180 bucks for a 9'0"? Brand new? Visit their website at

http://southbaysurfboards.com/

For that price I don't see how you can go wrong!