Surfing Waves

Hi
I want to surprise my husband on his upcoming bday (gonna turn 50 next month) and get him a surfboard. He owns a softboard and wants to move to a longboard.
In my home town store I have found a Stewart redline 11 which seems to be a great model for him.
Thing is that they have only one size of 23.5x3 while according to the chart i should get a 24x3.3/8 for a beginner. He is 6" tall and weight about 200lb.
The store owner sais it should be ok. Is it??

My other options are -
Creative army Seahorse 9.4"
donald takayama in the pink
Firewire wingnut noserider
Firewire submoon 8.2"

Any insights? Recommendations?

How long has he been surfing and how often does he go?

What is the surf break that he normally goes to?

That Stewart Redline in those dimensions is a lot of board for anyone. The 24” width seems a bit excessive, and if he grows into the board, he may wish he didn’t have that much. I think the 23.5X3 would work just fine.

There are lots of people here that know a lot more than I, so let’s see what others think.

Tom

Miki wrote:My other options are -
Creative army Seahorse 9.4"
donald takayama in the pink
Firewire wingnut noserider
Firewire submoon 8.2"

Any insights? Recommendations?

I've got a Submoon 8'2 and it's a great board, but I'm an intermediate surfer 6', 165lbs. It's a great board but hard to paddle because of strong rocker, it doesn't glide like a longboard, and you can't get in early like a longboard.

I started at 50 on a Becker UFO - 9’2” x 22 3/4” x 2 7/8” and it was fine. I’m about 6’1” and 190 so that should be plenty of board for your husband.

The Steward redline is a really nice board and I'm sure it will be fine for your husband (see this happy customer - scroll down a few comments viewtopic.php?f=15&t=23236 )

However i will say this: if your husband is seriously thinking about his surfing and what he wants, then he may have a board in mind or a type of board in mind. Like most sporting equipment, the player knows what s/he wants - helpful assistance from others can end up being regretted. So if you think your husband has started looking at boards, then perhaps just say 'here is $xxx, go buy a surfboard' or, maybe, take him to the store and say 'buy a board, now'!.

I know its not quite the same effect as presenting a board on the day, but it prevents regrets (although, that said, if your husband asked me what board to get, I would say the Stewart redline, so the risk is maybe small - unless he has a particular board in mind. but even then its unlikely to be much better for him that the Stewart)

If your husband isnt really thinking about a new board and is happy at the moment paddling around on his soft top, then the Stewart will be totally fine. Or if the store is happy to take an unused return I guess.

btw, I dont think the other boards listed are as good for what you want as the Stewart

I say the above as someone who, for my 40th, told my wife her present to me was going to be a surfboard. I told her the same thing for christmas last year. She has also bought me 2 wetsuits and a BBQ. She is great at 'picking' presents...

BaNZ wrote:How long has he been surfing and how often does he go?

What is the surf break that he normally goes to?

He has been surfing for about 8 years now. I think he started with a shortboard and now owns a softboard.
I can't say much about the waves as I'm not a surfer myself but I think that it is what is called a beach break. The waves are small to medium high and pretty mellow at times.

Miki wrote:

BaNZ wrote:How long has he been surfing and how often does he go?

What is the surf break that he normally goes to?

He has been surfing for about 8 years now. I think he started with a shortboard and now owns a softboard.
I can't say much about the waves as I'm not a surfer myself but I think that it is what is called a beach break. The waves are small to medium high and pretty mellow at times.

I agree that it's a good idea to let your husband choose a board he's been dreaming about. However, if you want to spice things up (unfortunately, at a cost), you could splurge for a custom board with a shaper your husband really likes. Good luck.

The Redline is supposed to be a good allrounder. However for the prices of any of the ones you mentioned, you should be able to get a custom board tailored to your husbands needs. So maybe instead of presenting a board for him, do a surprise visit to a shaper...

Hi Oldie thought you had gone walkabout, heading to Peniche by next weekend!

Naah. Just many other priorities to balance. But now enjoing the Landes coast again. Good waves and good weather, we will be here another two weeks....

Enjoy Peniche. Should be great fun!

Hi Miki,
Many variables must be considered when selecting the "right" board. Unless your husband has specifically identified the board he wants and knows why he wants it, it is dicey for you to drop the cash. Here's a suggestion:

1. cut a piece of cardboard into a surf board shape,
2. pin cash, coupon for board of his choice, or store gift certificate,
3. gift wrap the "surf board" and apply bow.

Variation 1: get a cheap or free styrofoam board, even a kid's kick board and complete steps 2 and 3.
Variation 2: wear your bikini or grass skirt when you give him the gift wrapped "surf board"

billie

billie_morini wrote:Hi Miki,
Many variables must be considered when selecting the "right" board. Unless your husband has specifically identified the board he wants and knows why he wants it, it is dicey for you to drop the cash. Here's a suggestion:

1. cut a piece of cardboard into a surf board shape,
2. pin cash, coupon for board of his choice, or store gift certificate,
3. gift wrap the "surf board" and apply bow.

Variation 1: get a cheap or free styrofoam board, even a kid's kick board and complete steps 2 and 3.
Variation 2: wear your bikini or grass skirt when you give him the gift wrapped "surf board"

billie

Ha ha Billie I wish I would have seen your brilliant ideas earlier

Took him yesterday to pick a surfboard after he accidentaly discovered my plan to buy him one..
He is walking on air now, soooo happy with the gift!
Thanks ♡

Thank you so much guys and gals for your help!!
You were so right saying he should decide what suits him best

So, it went not quite as elegant as I wanted it to be - he found a surfing catalog in my car

Yesterday I took him to a local shaper's workshop (he also imports a few top brands) and he showd us the art of making a surfboard.
My husband enjoyed every minute.
Funny enough he took a used Stewart Redline 11 for a trial, and later on will decide what to purchase accordingly.
I plan to write a personal dedication on it once it's ready for him

♡
Michaela

Absolutely the well done way to give a surfer a new board, the shaper time was a master stroke!
Thank you for coming back and letting us know how it went! Please keep us posted, encourage your husband to get on the forum, you too! Maybe we'll get you in the surf

Cool !

Miki, sounds like a great event & outcome! Cheers and you are a very cool spouse.
billie

Great result - although you realise you will now never see your husband again? Mike, ever thought of taking up surfing yourself?

(Billie - brilliant ideas!)

Good to know it had a good ending. When I read the title and the first post, my immediate reaction was, "uh oh..."