Please advise ! Board needed!

[marbieniu01]

Hello,
I am 24, 183 cm and 78 kg. I started surfing last year in Hawaii and I loved it. I was surfing then 5-6 times more in California (Half-moon bay, pacifica) but I relocated to Poland. I would like to buy my first board but I don't know which one. Probably, I will be surfing 5-8 times per years mostly on Baltic Sea (waves 1-3 meters). I would like to buy a board that will last me for years so I won't have to change every 2 years. I was asking some stores for advices and I heard that I should have hybrid/egg board at least 7'0. Is it true? I have found this board and I like the price. http://store.magicseaweed.com/Bic-7ft3- ... tem/27773/ Can you tell me if it is ok? How is the company? If not, what should I look for? Thanks for all info.

[Jimi]

I had no idea there was any surf in Poland! I'm gonna make some assumptions, and say a longboard may be better than an egg, as I can't imagine the waves will have much power in the Baltic - however be guided by how you went surfing in Hawaii and California. If you feel a 7ft board is enough, then it probably is ok!

Bic boards are fine and should be pretty good for learning on as they are sturdy and durable, and carry reasonable resale value. Only issue is they are heavy and won't turn as easily as a lighter board.

[marbieniu01]

Thanks for reply. It is kinfo of hard for me to decide based on my surfing because conditions are totally different. What I was doing in hawaii and california was trying to catch as big wave as possible and ride. On the other hand, baltic sea in poland doesn't give these possibilities so going fast with a lot of turns is what counts here. That's why I don't know which board I should choose. I was riding really long boards before but I believe it is not the best option to pick them on small waves in Poland. Can you advise?

[dtc]

When you say 5-8 times per year, do you mean 5-8 times in the water, or you will be visting that many times but might surf, say 3 or 4 times each visit (so 20-30 sessions per year)?

[marbieniu01]

Yes, I will be in the water 5-8 times per year

[dtc]

How good do you think you are - from your surfing in the US, were you good, catching waves, turning at the bottom etc? Or were you a beginner or competent beginner.

If the first, that is you were pretty good, then I agree about a 7ft board should work for Polish waves; maybe even slightly longer (wouldnt go shorter) You will need something reasonably long and thick and wide, as the waves (from what I can tell) arent very strong.

But if you are more a beginner, then it all points to a longboard (eg 9ft or so).

so if a beginner:

As a general rule, I reckon it takes about 100hrs of actual surfing (ie once you are past the white water stage) to be at a skill level where you might want to start considering moving to a shorter board. Even if you are surfing 15 hours a year, thats 6 years before you will want a new board.

You could get a shorter board, for sure, but you may find that you just dont enjoy the surfing as much because you are unfit (in surfing terms), rusty because of the period of time between surfs, struggling to catch waves, falling off more.

So personally I say get a 9ft longboard. Bic or NSP or really anything should be fine. If you dont want to do that, get the longest board you can see yourself surfing - I suggest 7ft6 minimum rather than 7ft. The long board will be more fun.

If, in 4 or 5 years, you think you want another board, then thats just the way it is. However, I reckon with 5-8 surfs per year, you probably can surf a longboard for at least the next 10yrs.

[marbieniu01]

Thanks for info. I am beginner, I am able to stand up on on small white waves but I didn't do any turns and I was unable to get on greens. From website, I was advised to buy 7'9 so probably I will pick this one.