Surfing Waves

I'm looking to get back into surfing, but I don't want to have to keep paying to hire battered surf boards, so i'm probably going to buy one myself.

I'm a beginner, I've spent a couple of weekends surfing, that's it. I don't like the idea of a foamie, or a pop out, partly because I don't want to look like a twat, a partly because I don't want to have to buy a new board a few months down the line (I'm planning on doing a LOT of surfing this year)

I read the introduction to buying a surfboard on this site, and I *think* that probably the best thing for me is going to be a mini-mal. Bearing in mind I'm fairly short (5' 8") (see photo below) I could do with some advice on buying a board. I did this "design you surfboard" thing on a surf shops website and it asked me loads of questions about Rails, fins, what shape I want the end to be that I didn't get.

Mainly though, what size should I get? The guide said it needs to be at least 6" taller than I am (but that's not hard - I'm short) Does it matter how big it is? Or should I go for the smallest size of mini mal? How small is the smallest? about 7' ?



Given I said I'm short (5' 8") guess which of these guys is me...!

Yeah, you'll never get anywhere hiring out a board each time - you spend more time taking boards back and forth than you do surfing

Your best bet is a mini-mal and you should start on a pop-out. Customs are expensive and prone to damage, and how on earth would you know what you wanted if you dont understand the difference rails tails etc make?

As for length, yes - this makes a huge difference, as does volume. The guide that said 6" longer than you are tall was blatantly lying. Lots of sites say 12" and they're still stretching the truth. Realistically, as a learner, you'll need it be 18-24" taller than you are.

This is fortunate as it puts you neatly into the 7'6 range of mini-mals sold by BIC, NSP etc. They're not great boards, but they're perfect for learning on

Yes, you will outgrow them, but probably not for a year or two (particularly as you'll be travelling down from london, and surfing intermittently means slow progress). And they re-sell really easily.


I've got a 7'6 BIC which my girlfriend uses sometimes to learn on (I've only ever surfed on it once). If there's looking like a decent swell on the south coast, I could give you a shout and you're welcome to meet me somewhere and have a go if you want.

In a couple of months I should be starting a new job (hopefully) where I do 4 days on, 4 days off.

I will probably be down on the coast nearly every "weekend"

Thanks for the advice. The guide to buying a board I read really put me off buying a pop-out, but as you said, I'm too rookie to know enough to buy a custom...

That's why I was kinda hoping for advice!

Also, I really need to learn to duck dive right? I heard that it was nigh-on impossible on a pop-out...?

Stone Fox wrote:In a couple of months I should be starting a new job (hopefully) where I do 4 days on, 4 days off.

I will probably be down on the coast nearly every "weekend"

Sounds good to me
You need to start learning how the charts work then. You really need to get good at predicting swell when you live 200 miles from the SW coast!

Stone Fox wrote:The guide to buying a board I read really put me off buying a pop-out, but as you said, I'm too rookie to know enough to buy a custom...

Yeah, learn the basics before buying a custom board. There are so many variations that you're really not likely to get the right board first time. And avoid the mistake which so many people make of buying the board that looks good or think they'll get used to and end up buying a shortboard much too small to learn on. Mini-mal is the way to go... and pop-outs are cheaper and sturdier.

Stone Fox wrote:Also, I really need to learn to duck dive right? I heard that it was nigh-on impossible on a pop-out...?

Calm down, learn the basics first
Yeah, you'll need to learn to duck dive at some point, but not just yet.
And its not impossible to duck-dive a mini-mal, just much harder than doing it on a short board - but if you were on a shortboard, it makes learning so much harder that duck-diving is irrelevant!

Ahhhhh, questions, questions....

If you live in London and are going to surf the south coast, then you are still going to be surfing intermittently!! - The south coast is extremely fickle and you need to know how to read the swell forecasts etc to predict the surf. Just because you can get to the beach every other weekend, doesn't mean there's going to be rideable surf!

Drowningbitbybit can help you on the prediction stuff.

As for duckdiving, 'Impossible on a popout' is a bit of a sweeping statement - I know people who can duckdive longboards, so I wouldn't say IMPOSSIBLE.

Basically the rule is that the bigger (length, width & volume) the board, the harder to duckdive. BUT - it's all about technique - a good technique and you can duckdive most things!! I manage it on my 7'5 mini-mal fine!

However, until you start getting out back I wouldn't worry too much about duckdiving. If you can get out by turtle rolling or just swimming holding the leash (close to the board so you don't hit anyone!) then I would concentrate on the catching waves/ riding bits first - once you're fully comfortable with your board you can look at duckdiving!!

Cheers

Sinista

Thanks for the help guys.... So you'd seriously recommend buying a pop-out to start with huh? There goes the cool factor!

On the subject of pop-outs, you say about 7' 6" should do me right? Is that about the size of the board I'm holding in the photo above?

Any advice for buying one?

As for swell / surf predictions, when I lived in Bristol we used to spend the week keeping one eye on magic seaweed, but don't believe anything more that a day or two in advance.

Any advice beyond that would be greatly appreciated!

So you'd seriously recommend buying a pop-out to start with huh?

Not quite what I said!! - Whenever I've recommended a board to anyone I have said "Go for a second hand custom mini-mal"

However that's easy to say, but you might as well say "buy a board made entirely of diamonds" - because they are about as easy to come by!!

I managed to get my brother in law a 7'10 boardwalk custom mini mal and it's brilliant - a little slow and straight for me, but it turns better than a popout and there is some 'cool' factor - although you always look less cool walking down the beach with a mini-mal than a shortboard (or even a longboard).

Still, where it is cool is how much fun you will have in the water - which is what it's all about!

I would seriously take your time and look for one as it will be worth it.

Cheers

Sinista

Curse you D and your simultaneous posting!!!

Stone Fox wrote: There goes the cool factor!

Trust me on this, the cool factor really doesnt include what board you're carrying - only your attitude and what you do in the water

The least cool is the guy with brand spanking new expensive equipment and no idea how to use it and who has no idea of etiquette in the water

And if you can surf on the board you're on, doesnt matter what it is, then you'll get the respect.

Or more likely, you'll have fun surfing and not care what anyone thinks of you - no-one notices anyway unless you're one of the seriously talented guys out back pulling radical moves.

sinistapenguin wrote:

So you'd seriously recommend buying a pop-out to start with huh?

Not quite what I said!! - Whenever I've recommended a board to anyone I have said "Go for a second hand custom mini-mal"

However that's easy to say, but you might as well say "buy a board made entirely of diamonds" - because they are about as easy to come by!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-MMY-SUR ... dZViewItem

Although I could just buy a new one for not that much more money...!

drowningbitbybit wrote:

Stone Fox wrote: There goes the cool factor!

Trust me on this, the cool factor really doesnt include what board you're carrying - only your attitude and what you do in the water

I don't really know the surfing scene that well, I want to get back in the water because I love the surf, not because I want to pose, but the article I read made it sound like I'd get the piss taken out of me for using a foamie or pop-out...?

the one in your pic is prob a 7`10 bic natural thats what i started with but stepped to short board more, may be selling mine if interesed.im in uks most eastly point lowestoft,

For £320 you can do much better!

My custom mini-mal was £300 with bag & leash from Fistral Surf.

My brother in law's board was £160 and we got them to throw in a second hand bag. It was in absolutely mint condition too.

I would take time to look around a bit (I also wouldn't get one of the internet, but that's me!!)

Cheers

Sinista

sinistapenguin wrote: (I also wouldn't get one of the internet, but that's me!!)

Cheers

Sinista

Dude, I live in London. There aren't many second hand surf shops round here!

If you could give me some advice as to WHERE to look, I'd be VERY much obliged!!!

The closest 'real' surf shop to London is near Brighton
www.boardriders.co.uk

Im not so sure about pop-outs or second hand, but they have a huge selection of boards and they're dead friendly

Well worth a trip just to look at a bunch of different boards and get the feel for different shapes n' stuff.

They've got some lovely stuff - might get expensive

Stone Fox wrote:I don't really know the surfing scene that well, I want to get back in the water because I love the surf, not because I want to pose, but the article I read made it sound like I'd get the piss taken out of me for using a foamie or pop-out...?

Pah!

Look at saunton on a summer's day - its 90% pop-outs!
In the water, no-one cares. Everyone thinks that everyones looking at them, but they're not. The worst that will happen is you'll get taken for a beginner... but you are one, so dont worry about that

Hey, I live in Leamington Spa - the farthest point from the coat in the whole of England!!

I know what you mean, but if you're heading to the south coast, there are shops in Brighton/ Bournemouth etc.

Alternatively hire/ borrow boards until you can make it down to cornwall where you will have loads more choice of boards.

I know it's a bummer when you just want to get a board, but it's better to wait and get a good deal!

If you can find one on e-bay that they'll let you see before you buy, then that'd be cool - I'd just be wary of getting one mailed to me!!

If you do find one and want some pointers when you go to see it, post again and we'll tell you what to look for!!

Cheers

Sinista

I've got NO intention of surfing on the South coast! I know Croyde / Saunton, so that's where I'll be going. Or if I can be bothered with the extra hours drive, Newquay as I hear it's a lot better.

Advice as to what to look for is exactly what this thread is for!!!!!!!

(And WHERE to look!)

OK, what I meant by 'what to look' for is this:

If you are buying second hand:

- Look at the nose and the tail of the board - if there is too much cracking, don't get it.
- Check around the fins/ fin plugs for cracking.
- A sure fire sign of a damaged board is - if you can see that the foam core of the board has turned yellow.
- Repairs are OK as long as they look well prepared.
- If there's loads of wax on it, you might want to ask if you can take it off to check it or avoid it.
- Pressure dings (little dents) are OK as long as there isn't loads of cracking/ yellowing!

If you're going to Devon/ Cornwall then it's worth waiting - Every other shop in Newquay sells surfboards so you'll be spoilt for choice.

Braunton has some good shops too.

As for Newquay being 'better' than N. Devon then it depends what you want - I love Saunton - I used to live in Bath, so we used to go down there all the time. A good day at Saunton can be better than the crowded beaches of Newquay!

The south coast isn't all bad. Surprisingly from the Midlands, Bournemouth is one of the quickest beaches to get to. It can have some quality waves and it's a hell of a lot closer to London than Devon/ Cornwall.

Drowning'll tell you some good spots on the S Coast - it'll mean you'll get more surfing done!!

Cheers

Sinista

Thanks dude. And yeah, the South coast is quite a bit closer, advice would be good!

As for Croyde / Newquay surf shops, do they sell many second hand? And how honest are the sales people? I don't want to end up buying something unsuitable because the sales peeps need to get rid of it!

Generally speaking (in my experience) they are quite good - almost all the shops in Newquay have a large used section.

I think that most of them won't screw you over to get rid of junk. If you follow all the advice on here, you won't go far wrong.