Beginer boards, look here if you wonder what to get

[MJSURF]

The most dangerous part of the board is the rider...

So true!

Was wondering any way to pad the nose as a precaution?

Thank you for such in depth answers!

[Big H]

Safety has it's place but don't get too caught up with it....

[Nogs]

Hi folks! Hope I'm posting in the right thread.

I'm looking for a new board to use on the west coast of Ireland. What I hear from the locals is that the conditions are fairly variable, so I guess I need to go for something with a lot of volume in order to catch anything on small days.

So, I've been surfing inconsistently for about 2 years, and I've had a NSP 6'6 Fish for about a year now. I can manage it fairly well, but I find it difficult to turn, and other surfers have commented that I should probably go up a little in size, which is what I feel myself. I consider myself to be a beginner, but I'm progressing so I'd say I'm a beginner to intermediate. I'm 182 cm tall, 80 kgs and fairly athletic.

My criterias:
- volume so I can surf on small days (I'm assuming that volume plays a big part here, still a beginner so bare with me )
- a board that I can progress on without getting sick of it after a couple of months
- easy to maneuver
- not impossible to use when waves get bigger and steeper
- I don't give a xxxxx about design anymore, just want to have fun

A local instructor recommended (without watching me in the water) getting a mini mal, around 7'2-7'6 and about 22 wide, round nose and tail. I did try a 8f single fin board with lots of volume, and to my surprise, it was so much easier to maneuver than the NSP 6'6

So I'm looking for a funboard at the moment, but I've done some more research and I've found shorter boards with lots of volume, such as Firewire Spitfire, Vanguard and 7S superfish - all for beginners supposedly.

What do you guys reckon? Would I be foolish to go for the likes of the Firewires I mentioned, or is the mini mal my only option here?

[oldmansurfer]

I am 200 pounds and surf a 7'6" funboard that is 24" wide and about 3" thick. It's a lot of fun in smaller waves. It has a lot of volume and there is no way I can duck dive it but I enjoy it. It seems odd that the bigger board is easier to maneuver however that is probably due to the way you surf and/or the designs of the respective boards. Bigger boards tend to be slower to maneuver but easier to catch waves with. If you found the 8 foot board easier to maneuver why not get that board? There are many options for boards and exactly what is the best depends on you and the waves.

[Nogs]

Cheers oldmansurfer.
Well, it was slower for sure, it was just easier to "predict" what to do with it. I guess the response was better. What I've also heard and read is that for some, the NSP Fish is a bit wobbly, so it might be just that. I'm looking into the likes of Potatonator, EVO etc. to have something to progress on, but I've also come across some funboards that will probably do the job (new brand called Torq - it's so cheap it makes me suspicious already).
I'll be riding "that board" this weekend, the surf will be bigger so let's see how it fares. My first thought was just that it would be difficult to paddle out on, transport, and that I might be looking for something smaller after just a couple of months.

If anyone's got info on said Firewire boards I'd be very happy if you could share it!

A huge thanks to everyone contributing on this forum, it's really appreciated, especially by us newbies

[Big H]

How big are the waves available to surf, how big are you comfortable going out in, what kind of waves do you surf and how often do you surf?

Personally I'm scratching my head as to why you don't run out and get that 8ft board....talking about progressing, first time out you can move better on the 8ft than what you've been able to do in a year on the super floaty epoxy NSP fish. A lot of people are torq fans here; based on that alone I think it worth a look.

I ride a 9'6" longboard in hollow waves sometimes....not great, still learning too, but big and steep can be done on the bigger boards, even with people with skills that are developing....

The fire wires you mentioned are not beginner boards....spitfire I remember the website going on about the rail design.....not something to worry about at this point.

[Nogs]

Thanks Big H. Well, that's a fair point, I'll consider taking it up a notch regarding size. If I do get bored after a while, I can always sell it.

I'll be surfing about 1-2 times a week (mostly weekends) in Lahinch, Ireland. Waves are everything from 2-10 ft, but it's a beach break so it's a bit inconsistent. From what I can tell I'll fare better with a funboard (and bigger) over there, so I'll drop this Firewire nonsense and go looking for something bigger. Just read an article from Bundoran surf in Ireland, they recommend a 7'2/7'6 Torq for a beginner with a bit experience. I think that's the way to go. They've got about 10L more volume than my previous board.

Thanks for the opinions guys, highly appreciated. Fun thing, just spoke with a beginner looking to step down from a foamie. He's obsessed with getting a board around 6'0 and I'm like "nooo man, don't do it, go big!". Anyway, couldn't change his mind, so he'll probably learn it the hard way by floating around like a penguin. Why are we newbies so bad at taking advice? IMO we're too sucked in to this industry gimmick, trying to look like Craig Anderson before we even learn how to paddle right

[Tudeo]

If anyone's got info on said Firewire boards I'd be very happy if you could share it!

I use a Firewire Dominator FST 606 and a Addvance LFT 606. The Spitfire has the same dimensions as the Dom, but sharper rails in the back.
I only surf in Bali and had problems with the Dom in powerful waves from shoulder high because it developes so much speed at take off it's hard to control. It's a perfect board for smaller or softer waves, then the speed is an advantage.
I'm very happy with the Add, it even got more volume than the Dom (45 vs 48) but a much smaller and thinner tail that holds good in big powerful waves. If u go for an Addvance 610 or 608 u will have a great wave catcher, easy to surf and paddle and it can be surfed as an shortboard or a cruiser.
Or u can just drop the Firewire nonsense

[Nogs]

If anyone's got info on said Firewire boards I'd be very happy if you could share it!

I use a Firewire Dominator FST 606 and a Addvance LFT 606. The Spitfire has the same dimensions as the Dom, but sharper rails in the back.
I only surf in Bali and had problems with the Dom in powerful waves from shoulder high because it developes so much speed at take off it's hard to control. It's a perfect board for smaller or softer waves, then the speed is an advantage.
I'm very happy with the Add, it even got more volume than the Dom (45 vs 48) but a much smaller and thinner tail that holds good in big powerful waves. If u go for an Addvance 610 or 608 u will have a great wave catcher, easy to surf and paddle and it can be surfed as an shortboard or a cruiser.
Or u can just drop the Firewire nonsense

Cheers mate! Yeah, looks like the addvance has got lots of volume. Is it comparable to a Funboard, say a 7'2?

[Tudeo]

U can compare specs from firewiresurfboards.com. The Addvance packs maximum volume in minimum length. I first went for the Dom cos I thought I was too advanced for a 'beginners' board as the Addvance. Big mistake..
I took it for a testride, and was sold.

[yoba]

I've got addvance 7'2 as my second board, first one is 9'6 log. My dims are 185cm/102kg, 2y of experience so I'm like advanced beginner I guess. It floats me easily and catches waves like a charm.

Duck diving is a dick on a bigger day (over 4ft for me) so I just turtle roll. It came as quad off the shop but now I ride it as thruster since I broke one of the quads and couldnt find a replacement for it fast enough.

Hard to say if I like it more as thruster, ideally I would leave thruster for a bigger days since it offers more control and slows the board down a bit - I just cant handle the speed it gets on bigger waves, maybe skills issue though. But quads were good on smaller waves, I'm going to get em off ebay soon so I could compare two setups properly.

edit:

I really like how it performs on fat slow rolling waves. And I struggle to handle it when it is low tide sucky quick waves, it just feels too big, but it could be lack of skill again.

[Nogs]

So I went to check out a 7'4 and got some photos. It's a custom made board, so it was quite light I have to say. It's got some dings, and I took a few pics. I know that it's kind of difficult to see off the photos as they're not too good, but do you reckon they look like damages that needs a repair, or if they're unrepairable? He's asking €250.

[jaffa1949]

ridiculous price. way less if you want it , yes repairs need to be made and there is likely to be water damage to the foam.
"Custom made" means nothing in this board see this article. Just a label to bump up the price!
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=22156:
shock:

[Nogs]

Thanks Jaffa, very informative reply. Haha, the advert said "no dings". Funny how people try.

[dtc]

the diamond tail (the shape of the tail) suggests a fairly old board as well, not many make boards with diamond tails today. Some do so it may not be that old, but given its condition it probably is.

A good condition old board is fine (my longboard is from the 1990s and is in great condition), but age should be reflected in the price. Like for a car.

[Jester]

Nogs I have the 7'2 torq and it's an epic board! I haven't been to lahinch since you moved here coz I had some other commitments keeping me from surfing and the few times I did go was down in tramore. It's not all beach break at lahinch, just to the left there's a nice reef that works on swells of 4ft+ the exit is a little tricky at high tide though.

I've surfed my 8'4 bic out there on a fairly heavy day, 8ft face easy and was certainly pushing my boundaries but not that of my board. Can't wait to take the torq out there on a similar day, maybe a week bit smaller for my own sense of self-preservation! The thing is though, all the good guys who surf that are reef are to a man on long boards!! Sure there are one of two short board guys but its dominated by the long boarders because its actually quite a hard one to match your speed with unless you're super critical in the pocket.

As for trying to transport your board, talk to Ben in Ben's surf clinic, he's a really decent chap. Sound as a pound. He might let you store your board there if you ask. Have a lesson or two with him first, throw some business his way. He's so worth it and gives you your moneys worth even helping out guys not paying him when he sees them in the water.

When I'm next going up I'll give you a shout as promised, waves have been a lill big for me recently according to forecast 15ft+

[Nogs]

Nogs I have the 7'2 torq and it's an epic board! I haven't been to lahinch since you moved here coz I had some other commitments keeping me from surfing and the few times I did go was down in tramore. It's not all beach break at lahinch, just to the left there's a nice reef that works on swells of 4ft+ the exit is a little tricky at high tide though.

I've surfed my 8'4 bic out there on a fairly heavy day, 8ft face easy and was certainly pushing my boundaries but not that of my board. Can't wait to take the torq out there on a similar day, maybe a week bit smaller for my own sense of self-preservation! The thing is though, all the good guys who surf that are reef are to a man on long boards!! Sure there are one of two short board guys but its dominated by the long boarders because its actually quite a hard one to match your speed with unless you're super critical in the pocket.

As for trying to transport your board, talk to Ben in Ben's surf clinic, he's a really decent chap. Sound as a pound. He might let you store your board there if you ask. Have a lesson or two with him first, throw some business his way. He's so worth it and gives you your moneys worth even helping out guys not paying him when he sees them in the water.

When I'm next going up I'll give you a shout as promised, waves have been a lill big for me recently according to forecast 15ft+

Cheers mate, really appreciate the info! Been the same here, too much school and huge waves. Will definitely have a look at that Torq again

[domestique]

I just started surfing and adore it but I am confused about board size for me. Longboards seem most recommended (and that's what I have learned on) but I am a 5'2 slender woman and a 9' board is hard for me to handle. Is that too big or should I just cowboy up?

[jaffa1949]

At 5'2" you can go smaller to about 8ft on a long board.
A lot clearer advice can based on how far you have come in learning so far. If you are only riding straight in then soft but if you are beginning to ride the wave then hard. The size you want to,ride and how you want to surf will factor in helping your choice

[Malibulongboards]

For beginners GO BIG! You will be able to paddle, catch waves and stand up easier. You will get better at surfing quicker and have more fun. Otherwise you will join the ranks of the many who quit or hardly ever catch waves. This is the most common mistake I see beginners make.
thanks,
Matt
" Surfing is like riding energy from the sun"