Surfing Waves

Greetings! I have been trolling the boards here and decided to say "hello" as well as ask people's opinions on two longboard makers in my area. First, I am just starting to surf after more than 25 years since I last got the surf bug. I recently moved to Southern California near San Clemente, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, etc. from Denver, Colorado. I am an avid snowboarder so of course now that I'm by the beach I must surf!

My stats: 45 yr old male (46 in July) / 5' 9" / 180 lb.

When I moved here back in August, I did a little research on local shapers and went and met Bill Stewart and team at their shop. They are great people and recommended that I get into at least an 8 footer. I of course let my eyes do the thinking and fell in love with a beautiful 7.6 Funboard. The guy helping me did his best to at least make sure that I got good thickness and width. I have been going mostly to San O and Doheny. Needless to say, as a beginner, I have struggled to catch waves and end each session a little demoralized... so, here I am, lesson learned and ready to eat my humble pie and go and get a longboard better suited for my skill level. I have talked again to the guys at Stewart and they are recommending I get a Redline 11 (H: 9' / W: 23.25" / TH: 3.25") - this saturday I am going to take out their demo and see how it goes. However, as I have been searching online, I read some people really hating on the Stewart brand. Now I know that there are as many opinions as there are people so I take it with a grain of salt. I do however find it important to support local shapers who build and manufacture a quality product locally. So that brings me to BING surfboards who are down a bit from me in Encinitas. And I am sure there are other great shapers in the area that I know nothing about.

So, what opinions do the good folks on this forum have on Stewart vs Bing? Other's I should be looking at?

And yes, I know that at the end of the day, for where I am as a surfer, it doesn't really matter as much as getting the proper size. But indulge me. I'm spending good money and want to know I'm supporting the right business.

Thanks in advance for your valued opinions!

From Australia an easy opinion is either , fall in love with a longboard, as you now know it is for all the right reasons. Both Bing and Stewart are good boards , closer and it the guys at Stewart are going to give you a trial day consider asking for a Bing one too!
A thought you probably won't be fully capable on either and your learning needs to re-engage but you could consider further a second hand one from their racks too while you get up and surfing!

Someone on these forums a few months ago bought a redline, seemed v happy with it - do a forum search.

I've only heard good things about them, abeit (like Jaffa) from the distance of Australia. I will say that the board suggested seems actually a little too big (wide / thick - length is good) for your weight; you could probably get something 22.5inches and 2 7/8 or 2 3/4; but if that is the size suggested by the shaper than I'm certainly not going to over ride him. Its good to see someone at least recommending a nice big board instead of a 7ft board and trying to convince the learner that 7ft is 'massive'

I know its always stressful buying the 'first' (your 2nd!) board, but you will realise after a while that a small variation here or a different shaper or minor outline or concave change doesn't mean too much at your (and my) level. Get the basics right (length, rocker, outline) and it will be perfectly fine

So get the one you feel most comfortable with. Or is cheapest.

I like the Redline. Got a chance to check one out at the South Shore Surf store in Honolulu. Feels good and the wider nose, beveled rails and pulled in tail should make it operate as advertised. What I would ask myself is am I ready for this board? While advertised as one, I would not say this is a beginner board as, quite frankly, a beginner won't be able to take advantage of what the board offers, with the exception of the wider nose/easier paddling characteristics. As others have stated in regards to a used board, this board may be an option if you can find a decently priced one, But brand new, these are pricey. I would look at getting the basics down for a year or so on a cheaper used board and then come back and get a Redline. It would be worth the wait, and may supply some incentive to the learning curve.

Aloha.

What Jimbo says is basically true, but there are design elements that you can look forward to as your surfing progresses.The board won't fail to operate at a basic level there is nothing to inhibit its use a start upooutboard
Downside it will be a little more worn after you get though learning 101

When I was a beginner I had a 9'0 performance board and it felt like it was a little small, I would see other surfers catch waves way easier than me. So I sold that one and got a thicker and wider 9'6" and still have it, but even back then I was still a little jealous of surfers that had 10ft boards because they could catch waves easier. One lent me their board and it did catch easier than mine, but his was 10 ft and even wider and thicker than mine.

Now a days I ride an 8ft mini mal as my longboard, and ride the 9'6" once in a while when I want to be a total wave hog, but that's after 20 years of surfing.

I would get one 10ft or 9'6", at least 23 inches wide and at least 3" thick. When you get better you can buy a 9ft x 22 x 2 3/4 which will be way better in performance but you have to be a really good paddler to hold your own at a crowded spot, like San O is, I love the wave but you have at least 20 dudes on every peak, you will have problems catching waves as a beginner on a 9ft board. Tell them you want a board easy to paddle, don't get caught up on performance as a beginner.

By the way, good tip on getting a Stewart, they make great boards, really popular in Southern Cal. Their hydrohull is actually better known, but the redline is a great performance option too.

Hope that helps.