what do you think???

[strandhill surfer]

What do you think about this board for beginning .( http://surfworld.ie/online/index.php?ma ... cts_id=123 ). It will be good???

[billie_morini]

I would not recommend a board like that to a friend. I've taught a lot of people to surf. Beginners need a 9-ft longboard. They really don't need a soft top (like that board). Hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, learned to surf on traditional hard wood and fiberglass boards before soft tops were invented. Soft tops are like driving a US-made luxery car. They largely isolate the driver (surfer) from the feel. Get a reasonable condition, used, 9-ft longboard, preferably with square tail. This is what I put beginners on.

[jaffa1949]

I agree with Billie and would say there is nothing of value in a softtop they are good for the first two sessions and if you have any physical ability you will already have rendered them obsolete. the whole description is IMO misleading and probably erroneous to gull newbies into thinking they are buying something of value .IMO NUH True they have no feel to them.
I disagree with Billie though, Luxury American cars mmmmmmmm Maybe once upon a time, but then Rolls Royce are now owned by the Indian car maker TATA and surfboards are made in China.

I extremely prejudiced against these boards so I invite all the people on this forum who have used the soft tops to tell what they think.
Maybe a forum poll as a sticky.

[jay32]

The first time I surfed, I hired a board see if I enjoyed surfing enough to start up as a hobby. it was a soft board! in all honesty, in the 4 hours I had the board for, I only managed to get up once for about 3 seconds! lol. That was probably down to me being crap! not the fact that it was a softy.
Anyway, I fell in love with surfing and bought a 7,2" hard board. It felt better but I didnt really start progressing until I bought my 9ft Gul longboard. So I agree with billie, and if I would of known back then, I would of opted for the 9ft longboard first.

[Louise-L]

Go for a 9`2 epoxy board with plenty of width. Spend time watching others and don`t rush things. Unless you are super fit go for little and often in the water because when you get tired you become frustrated. Good luck.

That's exactly what I have and I consider myself a novice, totally the best choice I made

[surf doc]

There are a lot of intangibles that make a proper board a better purchase altogether even for the beginner. As superficial as it sounds, I enjoy surfing more when I feel good about my board. A proper fiberglass or epoxy board teaches you how to care for, wax, and patch your stick, and how to care for it when transporting and storing. It makes you a more knowledgable surfer all around and helps you speak the language.

[strandhill surfer]

I am 13 years old and need something to start with. I chose a soft board because it is harder to destroy and damage. I see in the store and I really liked this board. Sorry for my English but I'm foreigner .

[jaffa1949]

Hi Strandhill I understand your dilemma as 160 euros is a substantial cost when you are 13, but I can tell you now the softies are not indestructible, sharp corners of benches and stuff can punch holes in them as you walk past and repairing them is fraught with problems.
Strangely enough learners don't damage their boards all that often (usually because they are surfing breaks with less hazards)
No need to apologise for your English, where are you going to surf, (I'm assuming Ireland as you call yourself Strandhill)
The Bundoran surf shops would have some second hand boards for around the same price, I'm aways concerned about soft tops as the ones I've seen don't seem to last and the surfer very quickly out grows them.
Talk to the guys in the shop about your weight and size, are you going to grow in a quick spurt then they might have another board that can accommodate that I'd have a look at their Cortez minimal and long board range, I see they're twice as expensive but IMO better value and as they are epoxy quite strong and will give you a longer time learning on one board

[strandhill surfer]

you are right. By July saves 560euro. What do you think whether this will be laminated board okay?( http://surfworld.ie/online/index.php?ma ... cts_id=199 ) Could you recommend some other boards available in Bundoran?http://www.surfworld.ie/online/index.php

[JohnG]

I haven't done the conversion since I am from the states, but a nice board out here in California is around $1,000. Shortboards are a little less. In the summer time at Costco they can be seen selling the soft boards for about $99, which is really cheap. If you can find a new softboard for that price it would be worth it. And when you have outgrown it, maybe others in your family or your friends can use it. A hundred bucks is chump change.

Also, where you surf are there a lot of rocks? If there is than this type of board may make sense as a starter. You don't want to immediately ding up a $1,000 board right away. If you do go with the soft board, 7ft may not be big enough though. If you want to be up and rolling quickly, start with a 9ft board or one in the 8ft range.

[jaffa1949]

you are right. By July saves 560euro. What do you think whether this will be laminated board okay?( http://surfworld.ie/online/index.php?ma ... cts_id=199 ) Could you recommend some other boards available in Bundoran?http://www.surfworld.ie/online/index.php

Well Strandhill have you chosen anything yet, I hope you have and are out there having fun as the Irish winter approaches.Brrrrrrrrr!.
If you haven't got the board yet use the time to watch some of the practice videos about popping up, and other skills and get yourself mentally and physically pumped up to have a great summer when it next comes around, you might be able to use that time to put you a little more cashed up for the board of your choice.
Cheers