Surfing Waves

I need a board for surfing in Norway, mostly around Lofoten but hoping to maybe find some spots where I live.

About me:
175 pounds 5.8’
Surfed about 10 days - Portugal and Norway. Can catch smaller greenwaves. Looking to surf 10-20 days a year in typical norwegian conditions (small waves).

Im looking for some guidance from the amazing people on the Internett on choosing a board!

I have way to many hobbies (snowboarding, skiing, climbing, scubadiving etc) and want a cheap allround board that I can grow on.

Around my area I have found some boards but not many so here are my options:

-Bic Dura tech 7’9
-Torq 7’2 fish (the seller is selling this for retail price, so a bit expenscive for the cheap hobby I was hoping for)
- and at last a «pacific dreams» board 7’4- 20 1/2- 2 3/8 that I can get dirt cheap. Seems like a good board but maybe way to hard for me?



Any thoughts?

that board looks like a 'step up' board ie a board for bigger waves. Narrow nose, pretty narrow overall (20.5), thin (2 3/8), seems to have a bit of nose flip. The lack of thickness means that it wont have a huge volume, so its going to be more of a struggle to catch waves than on, say, a fun board that is also 7'4. I mean, its not the worst possible board for you to buy, but its not close to the best board either. I couldnt recommend it given the background you have provided. But if its really cheap, I guess you can buy it and give it a go. But surfing 10 - 20 days a year, you probably want to maximise your fun and time on the waves, not spend a lot of time frustrated at missing waves or falling off

Of the three proposed the Bic is definitely the best option and is a fairly good choice. If you can find a longer board (8ft+) then that would be even better, but I appreciate there may not be many boards around.

I cant make up my mind. I think I will go for the bic. The only downside is that I dont feel like I would «love» it. As for snowboards I know how much more fun it is to ride a really solid board built by people who care.

I just have a feeling that I will outgrow the BIC fast and wanting a new in a short time.

I have the option to buy better boards online but the whole idea was to Get a board and just surf when Im not climbing this summer.

Northernsurfer101 wrote:I just have a feeling that I will outgrow the BIC fast and wanting a new in a short time. .

what do you mean by 'outgrow'?

You may be out of the usual, but I doubt the vast majority of people surfing 10-20 days a year will 'outgrow' a 7'9 board within 3-4 years, if by outgrow you mean finding the board is restricting what you want to do.

But even if you do find that (or, more realistically, even if you decide you want a new board), then you can just sell it again.

Shorter boards are harder to surf. If (say, figures just made up) it takes you 20 sessions to get used to comfortably surf a 7'9, then it might take you 60 sessions for a 7' board. If you are surfing every day then that is maybe ok; but for you that is 3 years instead of 1 year

I will say that the most common comment we get about boards from advanced beginners is 'I want a board I can grow into' or 'I want a board that I can advance on'. However, firstly no board will restrict your skill development. Boards just allow you to focus on particular styles, not skills (other than, say, doing airs which is a short board thing). Secondly, surfing is harder than people think. Finally, if you are rarely catching waves or tire out after an hour, then you just cant learn the skills anyway.

That said, I wouldnt suggest getting a board that you dont think is the one you want. Because then you will spend your time thinking the board is at fault or constantly wanting something else. If you want a different board, then get one - just keep in mind that what you want and what you should get may be very different.

have a read through here
http://alohaki.jugem.jp/

We mostly hear about problems people have from trying to progress to smaller boards too soon. It is rare to hear someone say they had a good experience from that. Who knows? It could be you would do ok but most likely you will come back to tell us how you can't do this or that on your new smaller board. If you will only be surfing in the summer and only alternating with when you aren't climbing it doesn't sound like that leaves enough time to even get used to that first board.

Okay so I have read everything I can about the bic. Downside, its not a cool board and that will hurt my ego. but all in all I think it will be a fun board and hopefully I will catch tons of waves.

I guess I just has to come to terms that I will not be a super skilled surfer with all my other activities and work going on. So for this summer im just going to have as much fun as I can and do the serius shredding on frozen water in the wintertime.

Bury your ego under a snow drift somewhere white! Your surfing will mark where you are in the food chain!
You need a board that meets your needs not to be a fashion statement.
The fashion statement will go like a used handbag into a closet and something else will need to be bought!

The whole 'not a cool board' thing is more perception than reality, well at least where I surf (but I surf in daggy town (is daggy an australian only word?) so fashion is an after thought); it may be different elsewhere. But as jaffa says, cool board or uncool board, your first wave or two will place you in the pecking order and your board will make NO difference whatsoever.

For sure there is pleasure in having a beautiful looking board (all mine are custom made with custom spray jobs...); but that doesnt help you surf (otherwise I would be a semi pro surfer, since my boards are so beautiful...)

Buy what you need, buy function over form. If you need a 4 door sedan then get a 4 door sedan; buying the 2 seater sports car or 1000cc motorcycle that looks great wont be much use when you need to transport your family around.

Northernsurfer101 wrote:Okay so I have read everything I can about the bic. Downside, its not a cool board and that will hurt my ego. but all in all I think it will be a fun board and hopefully I will catch tons of waves.

I guess I just has to come to terms that I will not be a super skilled surfer with all my other activities and work going on. So for this summer im just going to have as much fun as I can and do the serius shredding on frozen water in the wintertime.

Please remember Northernsurfer, the best surfer is the one having the most fun. My predictions are you'll have more fun faster with the BIC and you'll have more fun longer with the BIC. Win-win. Plus, if you drop it, crash it, thrash it --- you won't feel so bad.

The BIC is a good board. But given your weight, experience and future amount of surfing, i would even consider going longer.