Soft top boards!

[Bub]

Do they perform at all or just strickly beginner boards/instructional training type boards? Do they actually make any high-performance softtops or is that an impossible task? If softtops truly could be made "high perfomance" do you think that average to expert surfer would prefer them? I've never surfed on one but just was wondering about them....I've seen some going for really cheap on Craigslist.

[isaluteyou]

They do make softops that are meant to preform well i think morey does a fish or something. Will it compete with glass NAY.

Most softops are like tankers - stable as hell but turn like a 3 legged donkey. Im amazed people get hooked on surfing after lugging one of those beasts around Still i have seen someone ripping on one but they surf like a trillion times better than me

[billie_morini]

I like to see beginners start on good old fashioned long boards. I can't see much reason for foamies because hundreds of thousands (?millions) learned to surf on regular boards. In addition, they are heavy bastards to carry.

[Sillysausage]

i have seen a couple of instructors riding some nice waves on them but they might be good for a couple of weeks but i think you'll soon get bored.

[Bub]

Maybe I don't quite get the engineering/construction of a soft top board. Isn't it just like any other surfboard but with cushioned foam glued onto the top?

[CHarvey]

It's more like an oversized slick bottom boogie board

[isaluteyou]

It's more like an oversized slick bottom boogie board

Thats my understanding as well

[jethrodog]

Actually it is different. A SoftTop Brand board is an epoxy board with a "soft" rubber topping fused to the top. They are made thick and heavy for stability, and the rubber adds tons more weight.

Check out their wbsite.

I did a tour at their Cali shoppe in Santa Cruz. Very interesting.

[Bub]

Actually it is different. A SoftTop Brand board is an epoxy board with a "soft" rubber topping fused to the top. They are made thick and heavy for stability, and the rubber adds tons more weight.

Check out their wbsite.

I did a tour at their Cali shoppe in Santa Cruz. Very interesting.

Yeah, I checked out some pics on the internet. I get it now. They look really "cheap" and poorly designed compared to your normal surfboards. Probably should have done my own detective work before posting the question. Oh well.

[jethrodog]

I've ridden on them a few times. They don't turn very well, they suck to carry, but they are super easy to stand on. Really good for someone who teaches alot of people to surf, but for the regular Joe I think they would out grow it really quick.

[garbarrage]

still have the foamie that i learned on. grew out of it very quickly but good for teaching people on. break it out occasionally on a really small day. once i've caught a few nice rides in front of other frustrated surfers i always detect a smidgeon of jealousy. they're really cheap so if you fancy spending a few quid for a last resort ya can't really go wrong.

[CHarvey]

Since curiosity is finally getting the better of me.....
What the hell is a quid? What's the conversion to dollars?
Does it have anything to do with squid?

[Surfing-Innovation]

I've seen people throw foamies around and put people on custom boards to shame.....

Never ridden one myself, so can't comment further than that.........

[garbarrage]

jeez do you guys watch this site all day or what? CHarvey a quid used to be the slang for the irish punt which kinda stuck when we changed to the euro.

[CHarvey]

Thank you for the info gar.
I like to read and post in between tickets at work.