Surfing Waves

Hi, I want to ride some waves in a point in my city where the waves are long and very fun but they are slow and not very powerful. I have an Al Merrick's Average Joe 5'7 and I can only catch waves in this beach with a lot of effort, not so easily, once I'm riding the wave it is really fun but the problem is to catch it.

Most people in this beach use long boards. I could get one but it is about $600, and a catchsurf Beater board in my city costs $225, they say the beater is 30 L, can't compare to the volume of a longboard but the design on the catch surf beater MIGHT be designed to catch waves easily. I don't know. I just want to get a board that would help me catch waves in this beach and have fun, but I don't want to buy the beater just to find out it is as effective as my current Average Joe.

What do you think?

With a shorter board you need to be right at the peak when it is breaking to catch small weak waves or find a steep section with more power. Longer boards catch weaker waves much easier and if people usually use longboards that could be why. I haven't ever ridden a beater board so not sure what to say about it but others might comment however I figure get a used longboard or try your average joe but go exactly to the peak and takeoff there. If it's too crowded for that then a longboard is probably the way to go. Weak wave don't offer much help once they have broken so if you are right at the peak before it breaks and catch it there then you should be able to ride it without too much problems but if you want to catch it away from the peak???? Not sure but not a shortboard unless you build your paddle strength up

Beater boards are designed for the complete opposite surf to what you are describing - they go well on steep fast waves (well they can also be good for little kids). You might be able to use them on slow fat waves but I doubt they will be an improvement on what you currently have and may well be slower and harder to pump. Even the 'real' small wave short boards like the potatonator etc need a bit of steepness to get them going (and a lot of work to keep them going - just less than a standard shortboard)

Just suck up your pride and get a wavestorm - it's perfect and is cheaper than the beater board.

avillax wrote: but the design on the catch surf beater MIGHT be designed to catch waves easily.

Can you point out the features/design of the Beater that makes it so easy to catch waves ?

I have a beater so I can actually advise you. If you are a beginner , get a longboard. While the beater does allow you to catch waves and stand up in small surf, unless you are already a good surfer, you won't be able to do much.
They are hard to turn and don't hold their speed because of the low aspect ratio.
If you can find a cheap foam longboard (dunno if they sell Wavestorm in your area), even that is better than the beater for the developing surfer.

waikikikichan wrote:

avillax wrote: but the design on the catch surf beater MIGHT be designed to catch waves easily.

Can you point out the features/design of the Beater that makes it so easy to catch waves ?

You can stand up holding your board, wait for the wave, then throw yourself on the wave.

Avilax, we don't know your ability, some simple thoughts.
A beater board is a big boogie board, some pros use them as stand ups and can because they are highly skilled.
The original beater boards were the crappiest oldest dog of a board you had, that could ridden in " who cares if my board gets destroyed conditions"

If you are as new as you sound, then even your first board is not suitable for you ? Too small.

Do you ever wonder why the guys at your beach are riding longer boards?

I have both. Catch Surf Beater is originally meant for riding in the area where summer crowd prohibits surfboard use, hence the correct name is "Black Ball Beater". I use it when I'm just playing around with kids and swimmers just like a body board with the additional perk of being able to pop up and maybe even go down the line a bit if not dumpy. If I want to really surf I take out a longboard. And I usually go to a point break.

Regarding my ability, I'm an intermediate level, I can do turns and cutouts.

If you can't catch on an average joe you won't on a beater either.

avillax wrote:Regarding my ability, I'm an intermediate level, I can do turns and cutouts.

Sorry on the food chain that equates as being only a slightly competent beginner. Being able to catch waves as you want, having a good bottom turn, moving into a fair top turn being able to string turns of some intensity together,,cutbacks, all of these front and backside . Being able to generate a little more speed out of each manouvre, are skills to being a higher level surfer.

By clear in your self assessment and you can build from that. Delude yourself and progress will be slower.
BUT, whichever way have fun first and foremost

avillax wrote:Regarding my ability, I'm an intermediate level, I can do turns and cutouts.

if you have to ask between a beater and a longboard, I am a bit skeptical.

OK, that's me in the white shirt, that wave was barely powerful enough to take me on the average joe. So again, for catching these waves, beater or longboard?

You seem to be doing just fine on the Average Joe. The "Beater" won't do well in those soft crumbly droning white water. I don't see how 54 inches is going to out paddle / float more than 67 inches. Plus with your one knee pop-up all the drive will be lost when the vinyl bottom flexes out.

avillax wrote:Regarding my ability, I'm an intermediate level, I can do turns and cutouts.

No, you are a Beginner. Why ?
1) your one-knee pop up
2) your hip shove / pet the dog hand action versus pump to gain speed
3) your fall back dismount versus cutout to paddle back ( you CAN cutout, but you need to lay back down on the board under control )

However, your positioning on the wave is impeccable. Your paddle is strong and you get into the wave early. I don't see why you need to get another board.

I think you could learn to use that board a bit better but you seem to be doing OK. If you notice the longboarder takes off before you and down the line from you so longboards are easily better for catching that wave. Waikikichan sees all kinds of stuff I don't see. but his analysis sounds good to me.

Love to have a surfboard because with it I can go up with a wave in oceans. My personal favorite is surfboard but long board is also a good idea.

The end of this day I was feeling very upset but now after reading this article my mood has become a little better so thanks for sharing this article.

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oldmansurfer wrote:I think you could learn to use that board a bit better but you seem to be doing OK. If you notice the longboarder takes off before you and down the line from you so longboards are easily better for catching that wave. Waikikichan sees all kinds of stuff I don't see. but his analysis sounds good to me.

Nice one My personal and favorite is surfboard but long board is also a good idea.

Thanks for sharing this article.