Info overload, learning on a pop-out?

[Buttertoes]

Hi people! My friend and I took our first lesson about 9 months ago and have been looking to get our own gear since. We've read and read (read Surfing Waves' advice too) and I'm feeling a bit baffled by the differing opinions and volume of info available on getting your first board.

I've been keeping an eye out for 9' epoxys but you never see a used one for sale in my area (nova scotia, canada). I thought of ordering online, of getting a fibreglass (and trying hard not to ding it), then heard that a local sporting goods store has some bics pop-outs for pretty cheap.

Some sources say "buy a tough cheap board" for your first, and others say to stay away from 'cheap crappy pop-outs'.

After buying a new wetsuit the thought of spending only a small amount on a tough cheap 9' bic is appealing. From those who have been there, would you suggest going for it or holding out for something better (and what?? a NSP?)

Sorry if this has been discussed to death, found nothing on a forum search on 'bic'

[jaffa1949]

I'm glad Buttertoes
that your toes
remain unfroze.
and you're heading out to surf again this summer.

The Bic will be perfectly adequate for beginning on I don't like them much as they are IMHO a barge of a board but exceedingly tough and the barginess as you become more skilled becomes a hold up to progress. ( there's two opinions in one sentence) an epoxy I'd suggest in preference is one of the Global Surf Industry lines like NSP or one of their other longboards. More advanced shapes will give you longer on them before you change boards.
That's the stuff you need to know the next paragraph is about the opinions around pop out. and not all epoxy boards are pop outs (some are specialist boards)

The prejudice against epoxy pop outs and some ordinary but very cheap boards is that they are made in factories in Thailand, China, etc. and can be poorly made as the machines and the workers just slam them together.
There is quality stuff coming out too.
What is worrying all shapers and others in the industry is that newbies go for the cheap and of course the local shaper miss out on trade and their profit margins are next to nil.
The really good shapers have sold what they call plugs to the good factories and the shape are based from that and a royalty goes back to the shaper.

Have a look on line at the boards I suggest PM me if you wish or continue on line.
OH and BTW there was a great article on Nova Scottish surf in a surf magazine I read recently, some nice spots, amazing when I think about how tame an Australian winter is in comparison

[Buttertoes]

Thanks for the advice Jaffa! Fortunately for the newbie in Nova Scotia summers are okay for learning, but less fortunate for the experienced the best waves are in the winter where they plow their boards through slush, though they tell me their toes do somehow remain unfroze My husband and I just had the opportunity to experience surfing in Hawaii this spring- those of you in warmer places have it so good!

I've been debating between a 8'6 NSP and a 9' bic and you might have swayed me. I can appreciate the value in hand crafted, and once I know what I am doing will most likely seek something better. In the meantime I need something that I can scratch up without losing sleep over.

I do wonder though, when you say 'as you become more skilled'- for a person who might get out a few times a month, would that take months or years before needing to upgrade?

[jaffa1949]

Thanks for the advice Jaffa! Fortunately for the newbie in Nova Scotia summers are okay for learning, but less fortunate for the experienced the best waves are in the winter where they plow their boards through slush, though they tell me their toes do somehow remain unfroze My husband and I just had the opportunity to experience surfing in Hawaii this spring- those of you in warmer places have it so good!

I've been debating between a 8'6 NSP and a 9' bic and you might have swayed me. I can appreciate the value in hand crafted, and once I know what I am doing will most likely seek something better. In the meantime I need something that I can scratch up without losing sleep over.

I do wonder though, when you say 'as you become more skilled'- for a person who might get out a few times a month, would that take months or years before needing to upgrade?

Your last question Buttertoes is like asking, how long is a piece of string?
The more often you go will help, plan as a reward another warm vacation hey just enjoy if your husband a nd you both end up surfing what a plus

[Buttertoes]

Well my friend and I took out some beat up bic rentals today and had one of our best surf days yet! Porpoises surfaced near within arms reach and the waves were very kind to us. We've done some shopping and are looking at some new 9'1 South Point Schapers tomorrow. We've seen some good reviews and the shop sounds like they will give us a good deal since we are getting 2. Plenty excited and motivated to get out often! The new wetsuit was so much better than a crappy rental, kept me toasty in the 9* water. Vacations to warmer places sounds great, but til then this will do

Feeling like a kid at Christmas

[jaffa1949]

Happy Christmas,

[Rickyroughneck]

Well my friend and I took out some beat up bic rentals today and had one of our best surf days yet! Porpoises surfaced near within arms reach and the waves were very kind to us. We've done some shopping and are looking at some new 9'1 South Point Schapers tomorrow. We've seen some good reviews and the shop sounds like they will give us a good deal since we are getting 2. Plenty excited and motivated to get out often! The new wetsuit was so much better than a crappy rental, kept me toasty in the 9* water. Vacations to warmer places sounds great, but til then this will do

Feeling like a kid at Christmas

Wow, 9 degrees is a bit chilly for June! (That said it is only 13 here in Wales, give or take).

Out of curiosity, how much did the boards set you back?

[Buttertoes]

Ooh Ricky, I don't want to find out we were ripped off! lol, we each got $100 off retail plus leash, fins and wax thrown in I had a hard time comparing retail to see how it compared, but given how bloody hard it is to get ahold of a learning board around here we figured we'd go for it!

The temp is quickly increasing and is already 11-13 today! Didn't even need boots. I haven't been on enough boards to say with any real authority but they weren't bad to paddle out through the waves, and while they were slim (compared to rentals we've had) surprisingly stable. Pretty good day

[jaffa1949]

Ooh Ricky, I don't want to find out we were ripped off! lol, we each got $100 off retail plus leash, fins and wax thrown in I had a hard time comparing retail to see how it compared, but given how bloody hard it is to get ahold of a learning board around here we figured we'd go for it!

The temp is quickly increasing and is already 11-13 today! Didn't even need boots. I haven't been on enough boards to say with any real authority but they weren't bad to paddle out through the waves, and while they were slim (compared to rentals we've had) surprisingly stable. Pretty good day

Spot on answer Buttertoes just rock on.