Loking to buy a board soon, need help.

[Dannyf2]

I'm looking to buy a surfboard within the next few weeks. I would consider myself new to the sport. I use to surf with my buddy's through high school. They had their surfboards that I would borrow but most of the time I would be on my bodyboard. Now I can finally afford to buy a surfboard and get off the sponge after all these years. I'ts probably been 3 years since I've been on a surfboard. From what I've been reading it seems it's not such a great idea to get a short board for a first board as originally wanted to get. Also I don't want a long board. Anything close to a short board and can still have fun in would be ideal. I live in Los Angeles, CA. I'm 6'2 & 155lbs Any recomendations on local shapers,cutters in so cal? or brands? size? Any info provided would be very helpful.

[mrS4ntA]

I'd suggest a funshape, then. It's a hybrid of long and shortboard, good for learning, have some of the shortboard's performances. There's a local surfshop at Venice and Santa Monica (where I live); u shd check them out...

[Dannyf2]

Yeah! What's the name of the shop? I'm close. I work in Culver City. Any advise on brands?

[dondiemand]

im in the market for funboards too, which store in sta. monica are you talking about?

[mrS4ntA]

There's the ZJ Boarding House by Ocean Park Blvd, very near to Santa Monica Beach. They've got a great selection of items, not just boards but also wetsuits etc.

But then the one in Venice on Lincoln blvd (Or is it within Marina Del Rey limit already?) have got much cheaper boards. I got my funshape there for about 300+, free leash and traction. Actually, both my boards are theirs...

Luvz livin near the beach...!

[Dannyf2]

I'll check 'em out. thanks. What brands and models do you recommend considering my history? Or does it really matter? Any difference between a local shaper or a brand name? I don't care about brands I just want a quality board. I've been out of the loop of things. Someone recommended Becker, or Harbour surfboards. Any advise?

What is the difference between a fun board and a Hybrid?

[mrS4ntA]

for someone new it doesn't really matter what brand really... What matters more is perhaps the size, dimensions etc.. I'm still not cinsidering the brand. More into supporting local shaper... hehe.

Ask around the shop owner/assistant. They're really friendly and will point you to the right direction.

Funboard=hybrid.

[sinistapenguin]

My advice about brands is that they don't matter - I don't even know what brand my board is!!

I'm pretty certain it was shaped for Fistral Surf co. by a local shaper in Newquay.

It is a nice board though, so that's all that matters!

Sinista

[Totterz]

mini mals are good 7'4 ?

[Dannyf2]

Thanks for the info. I eventually want a short board, how long do you guys think it will take me to learn to get up on a short board if I'm hitting the beach 2 days a week? Having to buy another board in a year or two would be costly.
I know that's hard to answer. But will I be eating it the whole summer without getting up a couple of times?

[temptations_wings]

i was stupid and bought a short board. its a 6'4 swallow tail thats about 20" wide. ive been at it for about a month now and ive been out about 23 times now and im finally starting to stand up. so yeah… its going to be a hell of a lot of work and it can be extremely discouraging but its possible. i can ride my friends longboard quite easily but man oh man this whole short board thing is a lot harder.

[sharkkbyte]

I'd suggest a funshape, then. It's a hybrid of long and shortboard, good for learning, have some of the shortboard's performances. There's a local surfshop at Venice and Santa Monica (where I live); u shd check them out...

you just answered my question as well dude! I just got back into surfin after 10 yrs( was never that good to begin with,gota learn all over again) and ben pokin round ofr a used board like i had( a 6'8'action) but after talkin to few people then catchin this post im goin for a fun shape, round here its imposible to find a decent reasonably priced used board so im goin for new one i guess, I dont mind buyin one then maybe gettin another after i get the hang of it, its worth it if I can learn

[Guest]

I'm searching for a new board myself... I went on a trip to Nicaragua and ran into a guy who let me borrow his custom Tom Neilson board - It rocked. I ordered one today. Tomneilsonshapes.com

My brand new 6'8 rocket fish is only $410, baby! Tell him Chris sent ya!

[dondiemand]

Yeah! What's the name of the shop? I'm close. I work in Culver City. Any advise on brands?

hey danny! there's a skate/surf shop along Venice Blvd., it's close to culver city, or i think it's still culver city, not sure, anyway, it's called District Skate and Surf, i forgot the address, im thinking 12015 venice blvd, it's past by sawtelle, there's like a jack n the box on the corner or soomething, but u can try "google"-ing it, they sell used boards, i found a 7'2" board for $250, friendly staff

[Dannyf2]

Yeah I'll check these places out. I'll do some shopping and I'm pretty sure I'll be purchasing a board by the end of the week.

Thanks for all the posts.