Surfing Waves

I've come into some cash, which instead of wisely investing I'm going to fritter away on a second surfboard. I bought my first - an old Stewart that was formidable in its day, but is now waterlogged, and with many stress cracks . . . kind of a 1988 Chrysler LeBaron of surfboards - about five years ago, though have only been going out regularly for about six months now. Although I had it patched, it couldn't be made any floatier than it already was. I was a beginning surfer and a beginning buyer. I am still a beginning surfer, but there are things I now know to look for, to avoid, etc., that I didn't then. I still feel, though, like I'm not going to really know how well I'll take to a board without riding it first.

I'm wondering how many folks have been able to talk a private seller into letting them take a test run before buying a board. You leave them a deposit, and maybe your driver's license . . . I don't know. This seems like a stretch, but there are some very nice boards on Craigslist locally that I expect I'd be paying another couple hundred bucks for if I bought them used from a shop. Or is that extra money just worth it? Or should I just get a brand new pop-out epoxy board that I at least know will float?

All I know is, I'd like to have a board that doesn't actually go under the water the moment I lose any speed. (Which I do, because ... beginner.)

Wisdom, experience, appreciated.

The guy who custom made my boards offered to let me ride some of his off the rack boards. I declined because they were too small for me at that point. I don't know what to tell you as I have always had custom made boards except for the longboard I relearned on recently. I am a big fan of custom made boards. I am sure the others will offer you opinions but trying a used board out would be a great way to figure out if you want it.

RobSF wrote:I'm wondering how many folks have been able to talk a private seller into letting them take a test run before buying a board. You leave them a deposit, and maybe your driver's license . . .

Take the point from the seller view, you already said you have beginner skills and not sure what to look for in a board. If you do fall to the side and smash a elbow or knee in the board, what if it leaves a pressure ding ? Are you going to pay for it ? Even with that payment,how can the seller get the price he originally wanted, now that it's damaged or made uglier? Even advance surfers might need more than a day or two to "figure" out a board.

RobSF wrote:All I know is, I'd like to have a board that doesn't actually go under the water the moment I lose any speed. (Which I do, because ... beginner.)

That is what all surfboards and airplanes do. ( unless you're surfing on a SUP )

Best is to post some boards you find on Craigslist that you think you might like, so we can give our opinions if good or not.

I rented several boards to learn what I liked and didn't like. The tiny fish was a "paddle disaster" and helped me focus on a 9 foot longboard!

Here is a link to the rental page of the Nor Cal Surf Shop in Pacifica.
http://norcalsurfshop.com/surf/surf-rentals

I agree with Boman. Go rent some boards and keep a log of their dimensions. Once you find the one that has the stability, float, and ease of turning that you like, then go find a board on Craigslist that looks cool and has those dimensions. I wouldn't ask for a test ride for the reasons Waikikichan mentioned. If you explain to a surf shop you rent from that you are testing different board styles, they might give you some good advice on boards to try. You might even start a good relationship with that shop and help the local shop with a purchase.

BoMan wrote:I rented several boards to learn what I liked and didn't like. The tiny fish was a "paddle disaster" and helped me focus on a 9 foot longboard!

Here is a link to the rental page of the Nor Cal Surf Shop in Pacifica.
http://norcalsurfshop.com/surf/surf-rentals

Thanks, BoMan, and others. I've rented lots of softtops from NorCal over the years when I was only going out once or twice a year. Last time I asked, though, they weren't renting demos. (And it makes sense, of course, that a private seller wouldn't want to let a beginner, or anyone, demo his board. I was daydreaming.)

Would be great to get a custom-made board for my budget, but I think the last time custom shapers were making boards for under $500 was 2002. There's actually a place here in San Francisco that gives shaping lessons for not much more than that, where you get to take home the board. But I would no more want a board I had shaped myself than I'd ride in an airplane I'd built myself.

Once I start seriously looking, I'll post links and details. Thanks much for the replies, folks.

RobSF wrote:

BoMan wrote:There's actually a place here in San Francisco that gives shaping lessons for not much more than that, where you get to take home the board.

That sounds really cool. I would love to do that. I'm going to look for something like that around me. Here's the one in SF I think you're talking about.

https://www.grainsurfboards.com/stories ... ay-sanfran

Actually, the shop I'm talking about is Sunset Shapers. They make boards and also have classes. The guy I talked to there was really nice. Still, I'd rather spend the little cash I have on a board made by someone who's made more than one.

RobSF wrote:Actually, the shop I'm talking about is Sunset Shapers. They make boards and also have classes. The guy I talked to there was really nice. Still, I'd rather spend the little cash I have on a board made by someone who's made more than one.

Oh yeah, that makes sense. Shaping classes are expensive. I'm not crazy about breathing in fiberglass and whatever else is floating in the air in a shaping room either. Learning some shaping skills appeals to me, but I understand that it isn't everybody's cup of tea. I'll check out Sunset Shapers. Thanks.