Never stepped on a board, but have been dreaming about it.

[GhostGuy]

So I've lived in Southern California my whole whole life (22 years now). Long Beach, to be specific. I've never been much of a beachgoer, but I've always loved the idea of surfing. Sand, I can take or leave, but I love the water. When I was seriously thinking about it, I never had the money. And when I finally had the money, I wasn't thinking abut it much anymore. I've been enjoying my longboard skateboard a lot lately, but it's just not cutting it anymore. I have to get out there and ride some real waves. I've been eyeing use boards on Craigslist all month, and even went hunting for a surf shop at 9:00AM after not being able to sleep all night because I couldn't stop thinking about surfing. I couldn't find any open at 9:00, so I went home and fell asleep

Right now though, I'm having budget issues, so I'm trying to get into it at the lowest price possible. I don't care if it's new. I don't care if it's pretty. I don't care if it's flashy. I just want something to learn to ride on and have some fun with. I don't know if I want a full out longboard, but I don't think I'm coordinated enough for a super short zippy board. Where should I start? What direction should I head from Long Beach? Which shops might have something in stock for a broke newbie, preferably used (Cheaper the better, really.). Which beaches have good waves for a newbie? Preferably somewhere where there aren't many people. I don't want to get in the way of the real surfers and piss anyone off or hurt anyone :-/.

[RJD]

You dont say much about your build, size, fitness, your riding longboard skateboards already which will help a little..

But any old cheap 9ft + mal will get you going. No need for new, so long as it floats, is water tight and is an easy going all round log your on.

[GhostGuy]

Well, I'm 5'7, 170 lbs. Currently losing weight and trying to get into better shape. I'm not completely sedentary, but I could use a bit more exercise. Luckily, I'm working retail at home depot, so I'm on my feet 20-40 hours a week walking, carrying heavy loads, climbing ladders, all that good stuff. I have enough fitness to push a longboard around all day, though. And half of riding hills is getting up the hill

Also, I was wondering about the boards I've read about from Costco. I don't know if those are taboo around here, but they're a little enticing. I've heard the prices are low, but they don't list them on their site, so I'm not sure. Hell, I'm not sure if they even still sell them. But I figure at least a new board should be free of dings and such, and at least be ready to ride. Keeping in mind that I really don't know anything about surfing and won't be able to tell the difference between a good and bad board. I just want something that'll float and ride, basically

[RJD]

Is there anywhere you can rent a board or even have a few lessons? Must be, would be well worth it for you.

Cheapest and worst 'proper' boards are the Bic popouts, heavy and indestructable.

But as a learner your going to beat up a board anyhow, so dont worry about a used board so long as its relativly in one piece.

[esonscar]

Ask any surfer you see if they have or know of an unwanted long board.
As a starter board, any damage you can fill with resin - the added weight wont affect you.
If it's missing a fin you can sort that and have a laugh doing it too.

Don't be a pain though, just ask around or even go to your local surf club and ask there.

You might get lucky.

Happy board search !

Let us know how it goes.

[green_dude]

As you will read on this forum the longer the easier and vice versa. Also you pay for the volume of the board so it might be kind of difficult to find something longer within "cheap range" in good condition, but i'm not an expert so don't quote me on that.

Ask friends/coworkers if anyone has an old board, and then monitor los angeles craigslist and orange county craiglist as well.

Now since i'm in 562 as well let me know how it goes, cause once school is over i want to start the process of learning.

cheers

[RJD]

Its true longboards tend to be pricier, but they also tend to be more robust and a better resell later.

[GhostGuy]

So I went to Sunset Beach today with a few friends. I ended up renting a surf board! It was a foam top longboard, 8 feet. Turns out it's the same ones they sell at Costco for $100 or so.
Had a TON of fun. Can't say I'm any good yet, but I'm learning. Glad it was a foam top, because one of those lessons involved slamming the board into my head.
I was able to catch a ride on a few waves, but I wasn't able to get past kneeling. But xxxxx, the feeling when you finally manage to grab a wave is something else.
Got a bit sunburned, and I'm sore as all hell (Though a bit of soup is good medicine for that.). But even right now, burned, exhausted and in pain, all I can think about is the next wave. This is addictive.
If anyone was wondering, the costco foamy seemed pretty decent. I know I have no experience, but it seemed to ride pretty solid. A guy at work has a buddy that's riding one of those now. Been surfing for about 6 months, and he's doing well on it. They may not have the soul and local support that better boards have, but hey, they seem okay for a broke newbie
And Sunset Beach was pretty nice. Might not have been ideal conditions, but it was almost deserted, and the waves were good enough for a bit of fun

I'm going back with my friends on friday, if all goes as planned. My friend got jealous watching me ride today (I offered to let him try it!), so we're both going to rent boards (Or just go in one one board. But I don't know if I can share very well XD) next time.

[drowningbitbybit]

Okay, thats it - you're locked in for life now
Prepare to make irrational life-changing decisions and also to develop a weird addiction to pressure charts.

As for for the soft-top costco boards ( ) they're great for the first couple of times you go out, but a complete waste of time after that. Best not to buy one, as it'd be redundant in a matter of weeks. Best to hire a soft-top for the next few weeks and then buy a real board, even if its a cheap pop-out (ie mass produced).

[GhostGuy]

:claps:
Okay, thats it - you're locked in for life now
Prepare to make irrational life-changing decisions and also to develop a weird addiction to pressure charts.

As for for the soft-top costco boards ( ) they're great for the first couple of times you go out, but a complete waste of time after that. Best not to buy one, as it'd be redundant in a matter of weeks. Best to hire a soft-top for the next few weeks and then buy a real board, even if its a cheap pop-out (ie mass produced).

Yeah, that's what I'm leaning towards. I just hate to shell out $25 bucks to rent something when I could be putting that towards a board I can realistically afford. But then again, there's no way I'm going to wait until I can afford a nice board to surf. I have to get back out there.
I'm hunting Craigslist for boards now. I'm thinking about getting something that's a bit shorter. My dad started on a board that was about a foot taller than him, and he was a pretty good surfer back in the day. He's not exactly a surfer anymore, but maybe I'll get him out there one day. And until then, I'm squeezing him for tips XD

Anyone have any suggestions on brands to look for on inexpensive pop outs? I'm thinking 6'9" or 7', somewhere around there. Maybe something with a bit of agility (I'm a skateboard longboarder, I just HAVE to do a bit of carving ).

[IB_Surfer]

Just read the title, nothing else.

Carefull, if you step on a surfboard make sure it's yours, if not someone will be pissed if you break it

[RJD]

GhostGuy the foam topped 8ft board you rented has a ton of float, i/e/ its thick and wide, it also wont be very stiff, nor will it have much in the way of rails etc.

As soon as you start getting out back and onto clean waves it'll bend and not turn and hold you back.

Which is why you want a 'proper' board after a few goes. But they tend to be less floaty and less stable (which works out good in the long term), even the chunky ones unless you go bigger.

An 8 ft 'real' board will be a whole nother ball gamer to that foam one

[GhostGuy]

Well, I found a 7 footer on Craigslist. It's in "excellent condition", no dings, solid fins, no repairs needed, probably won't even have to re-wax it . And it's at a great price, too. And it's a "real" board, rather than a foamie. I'm really excited (Can I say "stoked" yet? Haha. Surfers really do have the best lingo) about it, I have a really good vibe about the board, and the maker seems to get some nice reviews (Jeff "Doc" Lausch).
Didn't have the cash to rent a board today, and we got to the beach so late it wouldn't have been worth it anyway. So I ended up buying a cheapo body board from Wal Mart on the way, just so I could have something to play with. It was fun, but the waves just weren't all that great. The only ones I could catch were close to shore, so I had some really short rides. Managed to chafe my nips as well, to the point where there was a bit of blood running down my chest XD. What's the best way to go about preventing that, without an expensive rash guard or wetsuit? Just a tight T-Shirt? I'd really like to avoid wearing a shirt, because I already have a hell of a farmers tan, but unless the problem just goes away, I'm going to have to figure something out.

[RJD]

Dont ride a booger board?

[esonscar]

Hey,

I built a carbon fiber board last year for myself and I rashed my stomach to bits on the deck grips I put on it.

I had bloody scabs just from laying on it and paddling so much in my underpants !

As far as I can say either get a rash guard gel / vest / nipple covers (?)! or stand up more !