Beginer boards, look here if you wonder what to get

[moodyedge]

Hey Reubs read the other posts you might find your question has already been answered.
Where in the land Of Whaikikamukau do you surf

Thanks I'll do that. I've been surfing at Taylors mainly, and I'm getting pretty keen to head into Waikuku first chance I get. After buying a board and wetsuit probably though

How's Taylors after the Christchurch quake? Wow I'd try to buy local all the business in Christchurch must be smashed and a little bit of trade might help out.

For the overseas posters Christchurch in New Zealand has been hit by three major earthquakes, Sumner the beach suburb the CBD and Taylor's Mistake on the other side of the headland were smashed and some parts of the city are unliveable.
They have had over 7300 after shocks some as big as the initial quake.
Reubs hope you and your family are fine.
Mate go well in your learning, I had quite a fondness for Christchurch, go surf Maungamanu for me.
Fond memories of fresh caught cooked lobster and fresh baked crusty bread and organic butter spread sitting at the caravan with my wife just munching out with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc wine while viewing the seal colony. NUM NUM NUM NUM.

I caught my first wave on a standup board there in 2001. Not sure exactly what beach it was....but it was a pretty steep twisty road over the top and down to the little beach. Was a good day. Ive heard from people there that a lot of people have gone to oz.....the water is meant to be too badly polluted to surf...not sure how accurate that is.

[Nice Rack]

If you’re a beginner, you want a no frills board that is extremely easy to stand on, trust me! Although, skipping along the sand holding a paper light and potato-chip thin board underneath your arm may feel ‘cooler’ than lugging around that beat up old tanker of a board that seems more like a battleship than a sleek surfing vessel….who cares! You need a board that floats and that’s about it…for now!

So forget about picking out that stylish ‘fish’ or brand new ‘thruster’ (if you don’t know what I’m talking about don’t worry, a ‘surfing defined’ section will come later). The best choice for a beginning surfer is to pick out an inexpensive used board, ideally a ‘longboard’ that stands at least 3 ft taller than you. I.E. If you’re six foot tall, pick out a 9’0” or longer. The bigger the better! The width is important as well. Try to find a board at least 20” wide or more.

You’re best bet for finding affordable used longboards for sale is online at craigslist.com. Or you can try your local surfshop. Just remember to start with something inexpensive to learn on. You can always upgrade once you get the hang of things.

[squatbetty]

I purchased a 7'6" Australian Awali Minimal board last year. I have tried to use it a couple of times, but struggle standing - I am 6'2" and weigh about 14 stone - I am not convince the board is inappropriate. I can often catch a wave, but often find myself late on it and heading nose down in the sand in shallower water! Other times, i get the board racing but by the time i stand up, the board sinks! A couple of questions :-

Is the board suitable to begin with or would a longer board (8'+) really help?If i am on the top of the wave looking down at the sand, am i too late and not paddling hard enough?

Regards,

J

[jaffa1949]

I purchased a 7'6" Australian Awali Minimal board last year. I have tried to use it a couple of times, but struggle standing - I am 6'2" and weigh about 14 stone - I am not convince the board is inappropriate. I can often catch a wave, but often find myself late on it and heading nose down in the sand in shallower water! Other times, i get the board racing but by the time i stand up, the board sinks! A couple of questions :-

Is the board suitable to begin with or would a longer board (8'+) really help?If i am on the top of the wave looking down at the sand, am i too late and not paddling hard enough?

Regards,

J

I think the board you have is very suspect they do not seem to have website or any contact point.
there is a lot of horrible Asian mass produced dross on the market.
that aside the board is a little too small to learn on unless you get to surf it a lot.
perservence is the key for a bigger guy to start out short. If the board sinks under you whilst moving it's too short.Look around this site and read all the beginner tips. See how they fit you situation.

[sarahjayne]

im 5'6 - would you go by the boundary for 5' - 5'6 or 5'6 - 5'10? i like to be awkward
or do you think the 6'8 length but the thickness of the upper boundary? the board im thinking of getting is a funboard measuring 6'8 x 21 x 2 7/8 and i weigh around 130lb, the waves near me are usually anything between 0.5ft - 4ft and often mushy but occasionally good... any advice on whether this sounds suitable? Thank you in advance

[jaffa1949]

6'8" would probably be fine with some good floating volume, but I'd stop being awkward and begin to learn with grace and style.
The bigger boards are more stable and that funboard should be OK,all you need to do is get into the water as often as possible.
Your idea of trying several length boards at Cayton is a good one. Wherever you can try before you buy

[sarahjayne]

Yeah gonna stick with renting a bigger one until i'm better but i only really want to spend that amount of money on one i can progress on so that's why i'm thinking 6'8/7'2, i'm just going stir crazy in the house not being able to get in the water and thinking too far ahead as usual i'm like the kid on the Disney advert - i'm too excited

[IMinCA]

I got the Costco surfboard . It's an 8ft Softtop. I like this board, it's pretty buoyant. Oh and the best part, it's lightweight, so the walk back to the car isn't so dreadful.

I tried using my sister's 7'11 fiberglass board and couldn't catch a wave for the life of me...pretty discouraging for a newbie I must say.

[itsbigdave]

hey
I found a pretty cheap board, I used to surf a lot about 12 years ago but am only just starting to get back into it and need a new board.
the one i found is 6'4 tall 19.5" wide and 2 2/3" thick i am 6' 1 and weigh 190lbs just wondering if this will work for getting back into it or would it be a total waste. like i said it is really cheap
thanks

[jaffa1949]

hey
I found a pretty cheap board, I used to surf a lot about 12 years ago but am only just starting to get back into it and need a new board.
the one i found is 6'4 tall 19.5" wide and 2 2/3" thick i am 6' 1 and weigh 190lbs just wondering if this will work for getting back into it or would it be a total waste. like i said it is really cheap
thanks

Simple answer CHEAP has nothing to do with whether a board is suitable, being able to do what you need it to do has everything to do with it.
Cheap and suitable, absolutely

[surferboy]

Besides what Jaffa very right said I would like to add before choose the board was said here: often.

Going as often as everyday surfing, a fun would be good,if you go only weekends and some don't in my opinion go to a Long.
sorry but less that 7`probably will be a hard way.

good luck and waves to everyone

[LaraB]

cool, just have to save up first. probably gonna talk to some people who hve been surfing for years next time i go to get some advice but i'm already looking on ebay!

[youngyjp]

Would a 7'6" X 19" X 2" Surfboard suit a beginner i am 5'11 and weight 73kg

[drowningbitbybit]

Would a 7'6" X 19" X 2" Surfboard suit a beginner i am 5'11 and weight 73kg

No.
If its 19" wide and 2" thick, then its probably a gun - a type of board made for riding very big waves.

For a beginner board, you should be looking at 7'6 (or more) x 21" x 2 3/4"

[youngyjp]

Would a 7'6" X 19" X 2" Surfboard suit a beginner i am 5'11 and weight 73kg

No.
If its 19" wide and 2" thick, then its probably a gun - a type of board made for riding very big waves.

For a beginner board, you should be looking at 7'6 (or more) x 21" x 2 3/4"

Thanks for the info.

[youngyjp]

Would a 7'6" X 19" X 2" Surfboard suit a beginner i am 5'11 and weight 73kg

No.
If its 19" wide and 2" thick, then its probably a gun - a type of board made for riding very big waves.

For a beginner board, you should be looking at 7'6 (or more) x 21" x 2 3/4"

Thanks for the info.

So would a mini mal hybrid 8'0x 21'x 3' be good.
This one?
Link: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/160732467707 ... 1423.l2649

[drowningbitbybit]

Perfect.

[youngyjp]

Perfect.

Thanks

[youngyjp]

I am look at getting this board 8'6 Rocket Big Fish Length: 8'6" Width: 23" Thickness: 3" here is the link:
http://www.ausurfing.com.au/product_inf ... cts_id/293
What do you think guys?

[jaffa1949]

The length and thickness are all fine, the shape is not bad for a learner shape although a round tail would be more forgiving.
The board is an Asian popout, they are often OK as a first board but can lack quality of build and durability. The price and the amount of Chinglish and that they are based at Granville in Sydney, sort of hints that the firm is just importing Chinese low end product. Some of the boards you have been looking at on Ebay are IMO better options.

They have a phone number on the website ring them put your BS detector on and ask plenty of questions