Surfing Waves

Ok i'm still looking for my first board and i've been looking at these as posible options has anybody had any of these or got an opinion on any of them?

Northcore brand new 7'6 funboard for £250 seems like a great deal but i've heard they aren't the strongest of boards due to the glassing being thinner does anybody know if thats true or not?

Custard point mini mal 2nd hand for £200.But it's not local so it would have to be shipped to me and obviously i can't see it before i buy.

Cortez 7'2 mini mal 2nd hand £150 i think they're pop outs though and i can't find out much about them has anybody got one or tried one?

Anybody got any other suggestions for a first board?


Any advice much appreciated.

i just got a 7 2 mini mal cortez for my wife...ive not sufed it (yet ) but i recon its a good peice of kit....im riding a o shea 7 2 mal that i like a lot i paid 315 for it with bag/leash/wax delivered...i piad 150 for the cortez with fins and wax.... ill let you know how it rides.as for it being a popout..i guess it is,but its epoxy so light and tough...had a popout for a bit and found i outgrew it on day one,but sold it at a profit and funded my o shea(plus some cash)...hope that helps a bit

Hi,Thanks for the reply good to hear from someone whos bought one! Let me know how you find it (if your wife gives you a shot that is!) I'm hopefully going to see the Cortez this week at some point just waiting on the guy getting back to me.

a pop out isnt all that bad for a first board cos there so hard to damage

Custard Point boards are top.

Thanks for the replies

RJD is £200 a good price for a used Custard Point mini mal?

longboard it all the way!


but if your determined to have a mal.

I advise getting a custom made second hand one.
Avoid all 'famous' brands such as NSP, Billabong etc.

Although Sunride make pretty good mals. They turn well.

badger101 wrote:Avoid all 'famous' brands such as NSP, Billabong etc.

Huh? What?

I like a few other shops i know, past tense for me lol, refused to stock bics nsp's etc.

If its your first board you will look after it (unless your 16 or under), No need for the heavy brigade.

drowningbitbybit wrote:

badger101 wrote:Avoid brands such as NSP, Billabong etc.

Huh? What?

personally i don't like them.
very bad experience with a billabong shortboard in australia.

chaotic wrote:Thanks for the replies

RJD is £200 a good price for a used Custard Point mini mal?

Custard Point boards = awesome!

Go for the CP!

Custard point Boards are good, i love my 7ft !!!!

Hey i would stick around the 7'2 mark and try to get something that you can learn quickly on and progress with, whats your budget?

Cortez are imported by Alder.. one of the original UK surf companies from the '60's.

If you buy a new board from a well established and reputable shop, supplied by an original surf company in existance for over 40 years you can sleep soundly at night knowing that should there be any problem you will not be "on your own".

Secondhand you might not be so lucky. Check the fins.. make sure the plugs are undamaged and that the grub screws do their job. Check for delamination and that any dings have been properly repaired. Don't buy a board just because you like the colour, make sure it's suitable for your standard.