Surfing Waves

My friends want to leave a board at my place for whenever they visit. We found a cheap epoxy board for $150.

Owner of the board said it's just a chinese board with no brand. Friend is a little concern that it doesn't seem to have any concave or anything. I want to check out with you guys before I drive out and pickup this board. Does it really look that bad?

Looks to be a basic board of fair quality!
Concave or not is not an issue, flat bottoms have no hindrance if your friend idols a basic rider, there seems to be a crack on the rail at the tail.
Everything is basic and as a 2+1 set up configurable in different fin set ups.

If the paint job is a redo, avoid!
Odd about the deck grip with no tail traction pad!
Is $150 Cheapish? A fair splash for the cash?, A cupboard board!

I took it into the water as soon as I bought it for my friend.

I regretted it as soon as I handed over the cash. However I drove 30 mins and with the high gas price now. It probably cost me around $15 for a return trip. I decided to make head to the beach to try it out. Can't even fit the board under my arms and so difficult to carry this heavy board.

As soon as I got in the water, I knew this is a paddleboard. I can kneel paddle and even stay balance. This is way too thick and buoyant.

Then I caught my first wave, 2nd wave, 3rd wave. I lost count. I was laughing and smiling like a madman in the water. It just glides through these 1-2 feet waves. At 140 pounds and 5'6, I do have trouble turning it. When I loose control, there is no recovery for it. However this thing is so much fun. It really bring a different perspective to surfing. Pretty sure I would be able to hang 10 if I wanted it. It doesn't matter where I lay on the board, it just doesn't nose dive. It's so forgiving and yet so unforgiving at times.

The last time I recall having this much stoke was probably in my first year of surfing.

BaNZ wrote: Friend is a little concern that it doesn't seem to have any concave or anything.

CONCAVE where ? Under the nose for noseriding or "V" in front / in between the fins ?

Question: Why is all the traction pads in front of the area that you really need traction ?

BaNZ the board is not a paddle board if the dimensions are correct on the bottom of the board, just a long basic board, a log, thereby you can understand the fun of logging and why lightweight find them easier to nose ride!

waikikikichan wrote:

BaNZ wrote: Friend is a little concern that it doesn't seem to have any concave or anything.

CONCAVE where ? Under the nose for noseriding or "V" in front / in between the fins ?

Question: Why is all the traction pads in front of the area that you really need traction ?

I did not ask, I just assumed the person who had this was either a kook or used it as a paddleboard. But he assured me that he used it for surfing and the board is too basic for him. From the condition of the board, it does not look it's been surfed much. My friend will most likely rip the traction pads off. Surprisingly, I enjoyed the pads. It made laying on the board very comfy and gave me very good grip when I stand up and move around.

jaffa1949 wrote:BaNZ the board is not a paddle board if the dimensions are correct on the bottom of the board, just a long basic board, a log, thereby you can understand the fun of logging and why lightweight find them easier to nose ride!

I think the dimensions is correct, it's slightly bigger than my board but the thickness and width made it that I couldn't sandwich it under my armpit. So this huge floaty thing is actually a surfboard and not a paddleboard? Mind blown. I did not attempt to stand up on it because the water was crystal clear. I was afraid of seeing something that I did not want to see. Especially when the last time I was here, I encountered 2 whale. Sightings of orcas and sharks from other surfers.

If you can knee paddle it it's likely you can standup paddle it (or someone can). I know a guy who uses a regular longboard for standup. He is a small guy and an excellent surfer. But the key is to start paddling on your knees then once you get some speed stand up and paddle.

oldmansurfer wrote:If you can knee paddle it it's likely you can standup paddle it (or someone can). I know a guy who uses a regular longboard for standup. He is a small guy and an excellent surfer. But the key is to start paddling on your knees then once you get some speed stand up and paddle.

I'm able to kneel down even when the board is not moving at all. I can even splash around and rock side to side without falling over. With my own board 9'0, I have to keep moving or else I just fall over. Now I understand why some people are able to kneel down with ease.