New Minimal cortez or o'shea

[BB-GLACK]

Hi,
Ive been surfing around once a month for the last 9 months. Ive jus been renting so far and been trying to pick up a second hand board the last 3 months but finding it really hard in Ireland to get 2nd hand, so looking at investing in a new one, maybe cortez or o'shea 7'6 to 8'0,. anyone any experience with these? or anyone recommend a better alternative? I have tried bics and nsp but wasnt mad on them and taught one of these would be better..all help and advice apprieciated!!cheers

[Zeroman_IR]

They're both chinese imports AFAIK. Not great but serviceable.

On the subject of second hand boards, have you tried: http://www.irishsurfer.com/classifieds/ There's often decent boards on there.

Have you considered http://www.westbaysurfboards.co.uk/hybrid/ ? I have one of these myself, has really brought the learning process on lately. Prices are good, be honest, tell him your ability and you'll get a board shaped for you. Where are you based?

[BB-GLACK]

I'm based in Kildare, been surfing either Strandhill, Tullan or Rossnowlagh.. I hadnt looked too much into boards like that mainly because I didnt want to go too short or too little volume and prolong the learning process and just from reading up on boards the cortez especially sounds real chunky and easy??also because of the price and availability of them.. I would love to get somthing decent like that that I could end up holding onto even after progressing. I'm 6ft and 12 stone, So far ive only been managing to get down maybe once a month so finding it hard to keep improving, I have good days and then two bad days,.I'm generally just getting up and goin straight.. I'd be hoping to get down weekly after investing in a board and improve more..Do you think a hybrid like that could be the way to go? What kind of size would you recommend? Thanks a million for the feedback!

[Zeroman_IR]

Based in Kerry myself. Been getting out maybe 2-3 times a month for the last 9 months. I find I have long periods with no progression, and then a sudden spurt. Just started turning along waves recently, can manage it about 50% of the time now and improving if that is encouraging.

If you email Richie on the Westbay boards site and tell him exactly and honestly what level you're at, what you can do, your fitness, weight...basically what you've said in the above two posts...he'll get back to you pretty quickly and give you a recommendation as to what he thinks would be suitable. As it is being shaped just for you, you can get it with loads of float and stability if that's what you want. Had to wait about 2 months for mine but it's nice to be able to choose the sprayjob etc. yourself. Or if you don't want to wait, there are boards ready on the http://www.westbaysurfboards.co.uk/hybridstock/ from 7'6" - 7'10" so you could ask him which of those he would recommend. Looking at the prices online (http://www.troggs.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=21 for example), the Cortez boards do look to be a bit cheaper, but the O Sheas are nearly the same price and with Westbay you'd be getting your own (Northern) Irish-made custom board.

I have no affiliation with them whatsoever, beyond being a satisfied customer, in case you're wondering I got my board, a 7'6" Hybrid, about 3 months ago now. After spending 6 months on various Bics the difference is incredible. It's so light and easy to turn in comparison but still very steady.

[BB-GLACK]

Got my 7'10 westbay hybrid last week, delighted with the look of it and the service was spot on,. was out on the weekend but it was flat and crowded, got out today though and had the best day,.the board made a huge difference, got a few nice waves and got a bit of a run along the face, the board is great compared to the cortez/nsp etc, at my level i found much easier to turn,.I havnt been able to turn a cortez along the face at all then today, first decent day out and I got it! chuffed,.thanks a million for putting me onto them!!

[danielvulrich]

Got my 7'10 westbay hybrid last week, delighted with the look of it and the service was spot on,. was out on the weekend but it was flat and crowded, got out today though and had the best day,.the board made a huge difference, got a few nice waves and got a bit of a run along the face, the board is great compared to the cortez/nsp etc, at my level i found much easier to turn,.I havnt been able to turn a cortez along the face at all then today, first decent day out and I got it! chuffed,.thanks a million for putting me onto them!!

yeah. that one is the best one i've ever tried))

[BatRunt]

I bought a cortez 8' as my first board. on first day out i had the fin plugs pull out without grounding it. they replaced board ad second one did the same. they said it was a batch fault and offered to replace it again with new stock, but i lost all confidence in it, so i bought a circle one southern swell 8' instead. its great. feels much more robust and have been told it has a nicer shape.

not saying cortez are crap, just i had a bad experience with them.