Surfing Waves

I'm thinking something that won't break or hurt me in the washing machine.
Would you recommend a particular bodyboard one can stand on, or a particular beginner foamie shortboard?
Basically I want to have some fun on days where I'd be scared of making the drop with my surfboard, I wanna ride it sometimes like a bodyboard and if conditions look right, to pop up on. Some people use the Beater boards from catchsurf for this, but I've read some bad reviews.
I'm 5' 7" 160lbs. Wanna spend as little as possible .

Cheap supermarket foamie... a short one, suitable for kids.
Basically a very cheap version of a beater board.



P.S. This thread title made me laugh out loud

They should make a surfboard with a round nose and tail and soft fins just for this type of situation. I often try to get tubed in a closeout section if it isn't too big. In those situations I lean into the wave and stand up after crouching and getting tubed. Once in a while I will remain on my board and riding the wave. For big waves where I end up getting tubed and closed out on I kick my board forward (and probably some other small things to try to keep from getting sucked up over the falls).

yeah, a short softboard is probably a good choice - most bodyboards arent suitable to stand on (kneeling is the best you can do). So maybe a 5ft6 softboard and see what happens? What ever brand you can find cheaply - although at the end of the day you are on a short softboard so it will be a bit wobbly and so on and the cheaper ones will be even worse

You could try a big bodyboard, like 46 incher, but you will probably have more success with a surfboard shape

My cousin surfs stand up on a bodyboard. He loves it but most likely he does it just to be different.

If you are too intimidated/scared to surf the wave, then don't. Better safe than sorry. There's waves that just break too fast or too close to shore to surf. That's why bodyboarders do their stuff there. If you do the "some waves I'll stand and some waves I'll lay down" approach that will not be good for your future technique. If you're going to surf then stand up. If you're going to lay down, then bodyboard ( don't get me starting on Jack stance, drop-knee ).
What things did the reviewers of the Beater say were negative ? That it wasn't stiff enough ? Cause its a sponge board maybe ? That it didn't turn or bottom turn well ? Cause there's no fins or that the fins are rubber/plastic maybe ? Was the Beater board compared to other black ball beater boards from INT, El Nino, Triad, Amp Stick Design Water Rampage ( my favorite ). Or the Beater got a bad review compared to a real surfboard ?
Since you say you're short of funds, why don't you go to Costco and get a $65 5'8" Sushi Fish. They suck at turning but you'll come up smiling.

thanks I'm trying to find a way to get into a Costco

The front door, any other way could be burglary

dtc wrote:yeah, a short softboard is probably a good choice - most bodyboards arent suitable to stand on (kneeling is the best you can do). So maybe a 5ft6 softboard and see what happens? What ever brand you can find cheaply - although at the end of the day you are on a short softboard so it will be a bit wobbly and so on and the cheaper ones will be even worse

You could try a big bodyboard, like 46 incher, but you will probably have more success with a surfboard shape

something like this - 52", twin-finned or finless, cork surface, floats up to 220 lbs. works as a bodyboard, knee , or stand-up - a beater for adults. http://willeysurf.com/collections/all

jaffa1949 wrote:The front door, any other way could be burglary

$55/year membership,cheaper than I was expecting

A video of stand up body boarder

Here is anotehr video

must be really hard to do that, I haven't seen anyone IRL

I am sure there are challenges like learning to surf a short board that similarly keep people from doing it. I figure most boogie boarders learn that because it is easier. These guys are probably bored with all the stuff a boogie board can do and are looking for new things. I am sure they aren't doning it because they are scared of being hurt.