Bing Collector, Am I nuts?

[Nosarakook]

I’m a 42 year old female, 5’ tall, weighing 115 1bs and I’ve been learning to surf for 6 months on a Catch Surf 7’0 foamie where I live in Playa Guiones, Costa Rica. I’m absolutely rubbish at surfing but I can now catch a couple of green waves on my own each time I go out (2x a week) and bottom turn and that’s about it!

I want to get myself a hardboard and I’ve seen a 7’4 Bing Collector locally and have fallen in love with it. It’s not cheap but it’s beautiful. I’m super tempted.

Am I nuts? Should I buy it or be sensible and wait-maybe getting something in California in the summer and bringing it back?

I don’t mind spending the money but only if I’m going to enjoy riding this board!

[oldmansurfer]

I'm not sure how we can tell if you would enjoy riding that board. Best way to tell is to try it and see. Many surfers will buy a board and then decide they don't like it and sell it to get another board. I have boards made for me which results in me more likely to enjoy riding the boards but even that is not guaranteed.

[delphin]

I love that you wrote this..

"I want to get myself a hardboard and I’ve seen a 7’4 Bing Collector locally and have fallen in love with it. It’s not cheap but it’s beautiful. I’m super tempted. "

6 years ago I bought a 7'10 Bing lotus. Surfed it in Guiones a bunch. Low rocker, catches waves like a dream and is beautiful.

I am still happy with it.

[waikikikichan]

1) If you can "only bottom turn and that about it" then you are not ready for a rounded pin mid length. You may think the 7'4" Bing is 4 inches longer than your foam 7'0", but your board is closer to a 8'0" in the amount it floats ( and it's boxy rails ). Your sponge board is forgiving due to it's flex and can't take the bumps and bruises. The Bing is yes, high performing but at a cost.

2) What did you "fall in love" with ? The way it performs ?

3) If you do buy a board in California, how much will it cost to ship it to Costa Rica ? ( safely in one piece )

4) If you got the money, buy it ! If it doesn't work out right now, keep it in the closet until it becomes the right time to take it out once you've learn how to cutback going backside and cleanly pull out of waves each time.

[waikikikichan]

Your sponge board is forgiving due to it's flex and can't take the bumps and bruises.

Sorry should say "CAN" take the bumps and bruises ( banging walls, dropping it in the parking lot, knee smashing into the deck, etc. )

[Naeco78]

Yeah my friend is a beginner and she bought a 9' Bing and absolutely loves it. They really are nice boards. Its Tiffany blue and she calls it her Soul Board lol.
But when it comes down to it, she still usually brings the foamie instead when we go surfing. The truth is, fiberglass boards can add lots of complications.. especially when you're just starting out. Just something to consider

[Nosarakook]

Thanks all - I mainly fell in love with the look of the board! I have no idea what it feels like to ride but it looks like a shorter version of a long board, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I'm trying to be sensible and am renting out different hardboards to try before buying one. I'm already finding hardboards way easier to turn on than my foamie and I can't get my arm around my foamie, which is really annoying when trying to carry it as it's so flipping fat! If I get a hardboard in the US this summer, I can bring it home on the plane for free if we fly with the right airline. The Bing Collector is still there in the shop and I still ogle it every time I walk past. It's $1,400 though, which may be a little excessive for my skill level!

[shaaaaaan2020]

also love that you wrote this - I fall in love with boards all the time. My $.02:

$1400 is a lot for a board, period. Certainly for your first one.

FWIW - I've been surfing off and on most if my life and I've never paid that much for a board.

But I plan to someday... ive been cycling through lots of used boards this past year, trying different shapes / configurations, researching etc,,, to figure out what board is worth that kind of investment so i can get the exact one i want.

Have you considered going to a shaper? There's a few guys south of you in St. theresa - Denga, i think. You could probably give them the exact dimensions of the Collector and get a basic / un-tinted board for like half the price.

Even better - you could have them adjust that Collector's outline for your body type / age and ability - ,more forgiving rails, widen the tail, thruster vs. 2+ 1, maybe go an inch or two longer, etc..

You're pretty new and will likely ding the board up a bit at first - why not ding up the cheaper one learning how to ride it. And then, once you've got your bottom turns down - gotten comfortable on this shape, etc... - pick up a brand new Bing in CA this summer. Justa thought.

Another option - there's some great surf schools near you in Nosara - they probably have some higher performing foamies they might sell you - or help you purchase one.

All that said - nothing like the instant gratification and excitement of picking up a fresh baord from the shop and taking it right out into the surf - i get it!!