Several classic beginner questions rolled into one scenario!

[sailingdude]

Hey dudes, so I looked around the internet and this seemed the most un-intimidating forum to describe my situation. Thanks in advance to anyone who might reply, and sorry for what I am sure is a massive wall of text to follow this opening paragraph. So here it goes, grab a drink and sit back...

I'll be flying out to Panama (200 bucks round trip! ) in January. I'll be staying there for all of January and February. The majority of the time I'll be staying in Pedasi, I have several opportunities lined up, but the truth is that becoming a decent surfer is at the top of my list. Pedasi is apparently home to a terrific surfing beach in Playa Venao (I think they've held some championships there), Hostel rooms seem ok price wise (you'll notice throughout this post that I am the consummate cheapskate), so I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that I could stay on or near the beach. I'll have a decent amount of free time on my hands and I somehow doubt that Pedasi, Panama is a "happening" place, so I should have the opportunity to devote a significant portion of my time every day (4-5 hours at least depending on how early I wake up) to surfing. Which is really perfect for my obsessive, compulsive, want-to-be-good-at-everything attitude.

My ability: Is one of a beginner, I've surfed some and loved it. I've grown up sailing Hobie Cats, Wakeboarding, and Water-Skiing, so I'm definitely comfortable in the water and passionate about its respective pastimes. But I just haven't found the right time to get into surfing until now. I honestly feel like this trip is a great opportunity from that standpoint, it gives me the chance to really live and breath it for a couple months.

My dilemma: After looking at how much it costs to rent a board for a two month period I'm now on the hunt for a surfboard/s that travel/s well and is decent for a beginner. Going out and plopping money on a brand new board is just not my style. So craigslist is where I'll probably be looking unless I get pointed somewhere else. So, the airline says that I can take two boards with me on the plane with a length no more than 115 inches (292 CM) and weighing no more than 70lbs (31.75 KG). I own a a crappy costco Wavestorm fomie that I've messed around with, worst case scenario, it'll be one of the boards that make the trip. My first thought was to take that and look for a potentially smaller board to take as well. But to be honest lugging that thing (Wavestorm) to a foreign country seems kind of ridiculous. On top of that, everywhere I look I see the "Don't try and learn on smaller board!!" command and I understand it. I have no misconceptions about "looking cool", I'm going to look like a complete idiot out there, period. But for weight/travel purposes getting a smaller board would be smarter and the other variable is my younger sister (age 15) will be joining me later on, so a smaller board might be better for her as well.

Finally!
My question: All this leads to me having a lot of confusion and not a whole lot of time to figure it out. I think getting a shorter 6'8"-10" board with a high volume/width (for stability and ease of paddling purposes) would be a good idea. It would give my sister something to learn on and give me something to aim toward. Long story short, I want to learn, I want to have fun, I would also like to look as little like an idiot as possible. What should I do? What board/s should I get/look for given my learning and travel constraints? What would be the best possible board combo for a trip like this? For reference I'm 5'9" and weigh about 135-140, age 18 and athletic. Thanks again for your patience and insight.

PS: Mods if you'd rather move this to the travel section that's fine wasn't sure which board to post in.

[Big H]

I know I should start on a longer board and all the advice given on this site points to that but I want to get a shorter board and here's the reason(s) why.....




A terrific surfing beach known as such should have some board rentals around and a shop or two I would think....I'd look into sourcing local vs. bringing with you. If Panama is dry then possibly could check out possibilities in Costa Rica; not too far away.

[Big H]

Also, look at how much board bags (coffins) that are suitable for 292cm and two or three boards cost as well and factor that in.....also factor what recourse you have if the bags are mishandled and the board broken (never happens in third world countries so rest easy ).....


I was out the other day on a small day for here (shoulder to head high)....lineup was filled with local regulars who are in the learning stages....if you had to put a finger on it you could say advanced beginner or intermediate....they were riding rental boards that they had borrowed, nothing shorter than 7 foot, fun boards, longboards and a couple of foamies.....I was on a 7' mini mal....there were about 8-10 tourists out with us on shortboards who were struggling....I guess they were because they caught no waves the hour and a half I was out there....if they did I didn't see them...I saw a lot of bobbing around, wistful looks, and slashing paddling for waves that they didn't make....I felt sorry for them but noted that for whatever reason, guys twice the size of the locals were on boards half the size the locals were on and judging by their body position and paddling technique were nowhere near as good or experienced as the locals on the big boards getting the waves......

Food for thought..........If I were you I would choose to give myself the best chance to learn.

[Jester]

When you say you've played around a little at surfing before what could you do on the board? Can you stand up? Do you just ride with the wave in a straight line to the beach or can you bottom turn and go down the line. What size is your current wavestorm?

Your sister won't be hurt at all by learning on a board that is bigger, you will be hurt by learning on a board too small though.

All of us start at the beginning, you don't learn maths by taking an advanced algebra class, you learn to add, multiply and divide first. We've all been there, this is a right of passage for all surfers.

P.S. - it's also the way to have the MOST fun!!

[sailingdude]

First of all thanks for your guys reply's.

....

I'm sorry that I didn't make myself clear but I really don't have preference between short and longer boards. I wouldn't even consider getting anything below 9 ft given what I have read, if it wasn't for traveling constraints. I want to maximize my time there and it sounds like getting a longboard is the way to go in your opinion. So what would the optimum board would be given this situation? My logic for taking boards is this...Cheapest surfboard rentals in Pedasi are around 10-15 bucks a day, now multiply that times 56 (days I'll be there), the math just doesn't add up. I can get surfboard bag for around $50-75 on craigslist. And I'm actually paying for something that will hold equity rather than just throwing money down the toilet. There are board shops but I really don't want to pay for a brand new board. And apparently boards are rare and expensive down there (to be honest I'm not sure I won't sell my boards at a profit when I leave). Taking boards with me really does seem the smart economic decision when taking into consideration all of the variables. Costa Rica is something I considered it but there is no way I want to go through the headache of crossing a border. So if I was going to take a board with me what in your opinion, would be the optimal board given needed-length/cost/travel/ease of use?

When you say you've played around a little at surfing before what could you do on the board? Can you stand up? Do you just ride with the wave in a straight line to the beach or can you bottom turn and go down the line. What size is your current wavestorm?

Your sister won't be hurt at all by learning on a board that is bigger, you will be hurt by learning on a board too small though.

All of us start at the beginning, you don't learn maths by taking an advanced algebra class, you learn to add, multiply and divide first. We've all been there, this is a right of passage for all surfers.

P.S. - it's also the way to have the MOST fun!!

I can catch waves and stand up just fine, comfortable paddling, from a technical standpoint I just haven't done it enough to confidently say I can manipulate the board. I think the Wavestorm is 8 ft. No shortboards for beginners, walk before I can run etc. got it. So should I just look for the cheapest 9 footer available even though it seems to fit a similar profile as the Wavestorm and I have to ravel with it? A big portion of my decision on which board to buy will depend on the cost/condition ratio (as in what is the cheapest board I can get that is in decent condition and offers something that the Wavestorm doesn't).

Thanks again

[Big H]

I did a quick look and found a shop there....

http://www.santacatalinasurfshop.com/su ... ed-boards/

....if boards are hard to come by there buying new or used is not that big a deal as you will be able to sell again and recoup a fair bit if not all the money. This shop takes reservations; you could spec the board you are looking for and have them hold it for you. Cost /value ratios you are talking about; prices on the boards I saw were not outrageous and I don't think that you would save as much as you think you would with airline charges et al. And would be a fair bit less to worry about (international travel to the third world, taxi transport, small things like airport porters and where to put the boards when you are hungry and haven't reached your hotel yet....hard things for the seasoned). Don't focus so much on the apparent cheapest option; b a venture like this is going to cost a bit even if some on the cheap. A bigger investment up front in a board you get there will yield a quality board for your time there and then you can sell it again for near the same amount if bought used in the first place. That is your cost/value ratio, not schlepping two mals to Panama, paying for the extra charges on the flight, for the taxi, at the hotel and anyone else who can squeeze you as well as having the worry about board conditions in transit. Looking the other week, a decent longboard on clist was going for 300-400 in CA....less than that your value ratio will be null as all the cheaper ones had snap issues.

Get it there; more up front and more in the back end. My two cents.

[dtc]

Just my 2 cents - the others have covered the issues well

1. don't try to buy your second board today. After you have developed the skills etc you will have a better idea of what kind of second board (ie the board you buy next) you will want. Buy/get the board you need today, get the next board when you are ready. However, if you do want a shorter board for your sister, which might become your second board, be fair to her as well - get a funboard (like 7ft2). Getting a 6'8 hybrid will do her no favours. You will find a 7ft2 funboard will offer plenty of challenges for when you want to get off your longer board and have a go.

2. good luck trying to surf 4-5 hours per day...after 3-4 days you will be exhausted (even at 18). But, of course, if you have 2 months solid, you can take a day off and just relax.

[sailingdude]

I did a quick look and found a shop there....

http://www.santacatalinasurfshop.com/su ... ed-boards/

....if boards are hard to come by there buying new or used is not that big a deal as you will be able to sell again and recoup a fair bit if not all the money. This shop takes reservations; you could spec the board you are looking for and have them hold it for you. Cost /value ratios you are talking about; prices on the boards I saw were not outrageous and I don't think that you would save as much as you think you would with airline charges et al. And would be a fair bit less to worry about (international travel to the third world, taxi transport, small things like airport porters and where to put the boards when you are hungry and haven't reached your hotel yet....hard things for the seasoned). Don't focus so much on the apparent cheapest option; b a venture like this is going to cost a bit even if some on the cheap. A bigger investment up front in a board you get there will yield a quality board for your time there and then you can sell it again for near the same amount if bought used in the first place. That is your cost/value ratio, not schlepping two mals to Panama, paying for the extra charges on the flight, for the taxi, at the hotel and anyone else who can squeeze you as well as having the worry about board conditions in transit. Looking the other week, a decent longboard on clist was going for 300-400 in CA....less than that your value ratio will be null as all the cheaper ones had snap issues.

Get it there; more up front and more in the back end. My two cents.

Well you definitely have given me pause, and I'm coming around to your way of thinking. I don't really like the idea of going there and having the unknown expense of buying a board. In regards to the transit, it's a bus ride from the airport to Las Tablas where I'll take a taxi to a hostel at Playa Venao. I doubt the hostel we'll tag me for the boards but the cab driver might/will. It'll be a pain in the butt to carry those things but I'd be willing, especially since I could bring a board for my sister. Another problem is all the used boards that the shop you listed currently has available are shortboards. They do have a board buy back program where you buy a used board and they buy it back for 100 dollars you paid for it. I'd be hesitant to do that, if I dent the board or anything of that sort I'm afraid they would nickel and dime me for it. Seems like buying a used board and then just selling it on craigslist or the like would probably be the way to go. What do you think?

[sailingdude]

Just my 2 cents - the others have covered the issues well

1. don't try to buy your second board today. After you have developed the skills etc you will have a better idea of what kind of second board (ie the board you buy next) you will want. Buy/get the board you need today, get the next board when you are ready. However, if you do want a shorter board for your sister, which might become your second board, be fair to her as well - get a funboard (like 7ft2). Getting a 6'8 hybrid will do her no favours. You will find a 7ft2 funboard will offer plenty of challenges for when you want to get off your longer board and have a go.

2. good luck trying to surf 4-5 hours per day...after 3-4 days you will be exhausted (even at 18). But, of course, if you have 2 months solid, you can take a day off and just relax.

Thanks for the tips. It definitely seems like anything 7 and under is a big no no. I'll see what I can find on craigslist if I do end up taking boards down there. There is a 7 foot wrv on craigslist right now for 140, obviously that's probably too cheap but hey, I/my sister do not need anything nice, I tend to think it's better that we have a beater when we go out there rather than a board in great condition. I have no idea how much I'll be able to surf from an endurance standpoint, I just know that I most likely will have that much time available. I've got other things, like college classes, voulunteering opportunities, and finally knocking out War and Peace.

[Big H]

I wasn't going to say anything about the 4-5h a day....took me months to build up to my level of one and a half to two hours a day that I do.....but then I am a geezer.... that is a lot of sun and a lot of paddling......

IMOfirget Craigslist and get in touch with that shop and maybe a tour operator or two and sort out the used longboard situation....much better off if you can buy and sell it there....c list if you aren't able to sort it and still sell it there. Beaters are ok, but the problem with used surfboards that are considered beaters usually includes snaps, creases, water damage, extra glassing and all those things add up to a heavier board that performs below what it should do.

You're at a wonderful stage of life; I can't take off two months, barely can scrape a couple of weeks leave together at one time a year...get a decent board for this adventure, either in the States or down there. Good or bad this will be one of the big adventures of your life so make the most of it.

[dtc]

If you do take your boards with you, think about how you will transport them in the taxi - in other words, take a soft board roof rack with you eg https://surfing-waves.com/Item/RI515 ... und_28.htm (there are heaps of others). A cheap method is basic tie down straps with a towel underneath the board (between the car and the board), but this offers less protection than a proper system

You're at a wonderful stage of life; I can't take off two months, barely can scrape a couple of weeks leave together at one time a year...get a decent board for this adventure, either in the States or down there. Good or bad this will be one of the big adventures of your life so make the most of it.

I'm probably sounding an old man as well but agree - spend another $300 now and remember it forever; rather than saving that $300 and becoming frustrated and annoyed.

[oldmansurfer]

Or spend $300 and stay frustrated and annoyed? Just kidding go ahead and buy it....the more the merrier

[Big H]

If you do take your boards with you, think about how you will transport them in the taxi - A cheap method is basic tie down straps

Very good idea; you can do what surf schools do here and use tie downs to strap the coffin fright to the roof. Home Depot is the place to find them.

I'm probably sounding an old man as well but agree - spend another $300 now and remember it forever; rather than saving that $300 and becoming frustrated and annoyed.

What is wisdom? Another word for learning the hard way....

[pmcaero]

buy a BBB (Big Beater Board) when you get there, sell it (or give it to a local kid) before you leave.