Help with picking a surfboard.....

[stardust]

Hi
What kind of board should i look for? By reading the surf board guide, look like a long board or a pop up is for me, but which is a better deal in the long run? (i am a student on a budget right now).

I am 5 feet 6, and weight 120 lbs..

Any particular name brand or store that i can buy it from or should i look for second hand?

thanks

[sinistapenguin]

If you're just starting out I would go for something in the middle.

A long board is easier to get up on and paddle etc, but it is much harder to turn and you may get frustrated after a while.

A short board is faster and turns really easily, but it is a lot more unstable, harder to catch waves and get up on.

My advice would be to go for a Mini-mal. Something around 7-8ft. This will get you going and you will probably end up keeping it as a second board for when the waves are smaller.

Second hand boards can be good, but you need to look out for signs of damage.

Look at the tail of the board to see if it has any cracks or dents, watch out for any patches of yellow foam anywhere on the board. This shows that the glass has broken and water is soaking into the board foam. (not good)

Check around the nose to make sure it has never been broken off (sometimes people repair boards where the nose was completely snapped off - it can never be as strong as it should be!)

NSP and Bic do a range of moulded plastic boards which are practically indestructable - good for beginners

Hope this helps

Sinista

[tree_hugger]

i was like you a few years ago. what i did is get a bic 7.3 ft which is ideal: bouyent, good stabability which is what you want went you start i think you can pick a 2nd hand one for about £120 or a new one for £199. I have also heard good things about the 7.2 ft NSP boards both the NSP and BIC boards are pretty much indestructable.
cheers

[strdust]

thanks for all your help.... I'll start looking at the shop around san diego and see if i can find any good one.

[trevor]

holy crap boards in england go for that much? here in hawaii theyre atleast 450 for a new one, 250 for a used one. more for epoxy. if you go often enough you shouldnt need a longer board. it might suck at first but youll learn fast, rather than getting bored with a longboard and learning all over again with a shortboard. longboards are for pussies. unless you weigh a lot, or youre old or something.

[trevor]

oh yeah and for someone whos 5'8'' and 120 anything 6 feet or a little over should be fine. im 6'1'' and 150 and my 6'1'' works fine.