Help choosing my first board. Have two options

[ElGoldur]

Hi all,

I really appreciate if you could share some of your advices with me.

I've just start surfing. So, I am really a beginner.
I am enjoying it so much that I am going to buy my own gear. Nothing like to have your gear in the car and go surf whenever you want ... Freedom!

I live in Norway and I went to a local shop to check options. Being a beginner and based on what they have, they recommended me these two options:
1- a NSP Funboard 7´6"
2 - a 7S Super Fish II 7´3"

They told me that the 7S would probably be the best option for me.
Sure the 7S looks cooler but my main goal is not to look cool. The main goal is to have a proper board that will allow me learn and improve as "fast" as possible.

I really don't know what to choose. I have been reading a lot about board for beginners. Seems that everyone recommends minimals/funboards for beginners.

Which one should I go for? Thoughts, recommendations and advises are more than welcome.

BTW … my height is 1.8m (5ft 11in) and my weight is around 66 Kg (146 pounds)

[BaNZ]

I would say to get a long board. You will learn much faster with it.

My friend who bought a 7"6 board about a week after me is still trying to learn how to popup on white wash while I'm surfing on green waves.

Plus it won't be your only board, you will love it so much and end up buying more. Different sizes for different days!

[ElGoldur]

Thanks BaNZ. So, in your opinion I should go for none of those boards, right?

The problem is that I don't have many options to choose from. They might have a NSP 7"10. Will it make much difference compared with the 7"6?

Maybe it is a silly question but do you consider a long board? Above 8"?

[BaNZ]

That's right if you want to learn fast. You will catch more waves with a longboard and therefore gives you more practice. But it depends if you have consistent swells then learning on a 7" board would be fine. You will struggle to catch 1-2 feet waves on a small board. If you surf often like 2-3 times a week then I think it will be fine for you. But if you surf like 1-2 times a month then just get a long board.

I would suggest to get the 7"6 one rather than the fish. I bought my longboard online and it was free delivery in UK.

Longboard is above 9".

[dtc]

The longer the better as a beginner - if you can't find a 9ft board, get the 7ft10 board. The longer = easier paddling, easier wave catching and more stability. It does mean harder to turn, but as a beginner thats like issue 15 on your list of important things to look for out of your board.

[ElGoldur]

Thanks BaNZ and dtc. I really appreciate your feedback. I am learning a lot

I checked the "local ebay". There is a guy selling his 9" watercooled longboard. I am going to check it on Sunday. Any idea on how good/bad are the watercooled boards? and BTW … Aren't longboards "harder" to handle in the water?

Currently, I am going to surf once per week and I am renting equipment (they only rent during the weekend). They mostly have BIC boards. I am not sure about their size, around 8" I presume. To be honest I don't like that much those boards. They are somehow stable and not so easy to handle in the water.
Tomorrow I will ask them if they have some other boards to rent (don't think so). Ideally, I should try different types of boards before making the decision on which to buy.

I will also talk, once again, with the guys from the shop. Who knows maybe they will come out with some other option.

The guy on the shop said that, for a beginner, the 7´3" 7S super fish would be better than the 7´6" NSP. Does it make any sense?

[jaffa1949]

Hi welcome to the world of surfing.
You are lucky, with your weight and height you could easily learn a long shorter board.
I know both the NSP board and the 7S they are both made by the same company and are made in Asia ( no real problem there) they are good for a first board.
Of the two I would consider the 7S first as it was made to have a better weight carrying capacity with the raised deck and the rails are good rails for surfing.
I have to admit that I dislike the BICs (no real reason just do), in my opinion they are a varied size of barge. They are however incredibly durable.
I would like to point out another idea for you to consider; looking at something about 8ft, there is a 7S in that size! .
OK why? because early days of surfing is about wave count, get as many waves as you can, to get the skills developed. the shorter you go the harder you have to work to catch beginner type waves.
That changes when you get the confidence to take on the bigger better and more barreling stuff.
Surfing in Norway will also require a wetsuit and even the best ones require some extra effort in paddling against the resistance of the rubber.

About longboards and handling, yes they are almost impossible to duck dive, you need to be able to turn turtle ( lots of posts about that here) people think they are not capable of doing tight and sharp turns ( they are, but not for beginners) turning is a skill to be learned not a result of having a board.
Watercooled boards, a secondhand board is great place to start..
Have a full read of all the board advice questions the answers are pretty consistent and it is possible to start short but it is more difficult..
Have fun.

[dtc]

The thing about surfboards is that everything is a trade off - make one thing better and somethign else is harder.

So the benefits of longboards over shorter boards
- easier to paddle (you dont have to be as surfing fit - which is different to running fit or football fit)
- easier to catch waves
- easier to stand up, because you catch waves earlier and the board is 'flatter'
- you have a greater margin for error - you can catch waves within a larger area and you have a greater amout of time to stand up
- much better on smaller waves, because its bigger (more volume), which is good for beginners

The disadvantages
- big, harder to control in the water especially the white water
- takes longer to turn and so you have to plan ahead a bit more (but you do have the extra time)
- harder to turn
- can be difficult on steep waves or where there isnt much time between the waves

So as the boards get shorter, the benefits of a longboard are lost but the disadvantages are overcome - as I said, a trade off

But as Jaffa said, as a beginner you want wave time. All the advantages of a longboard are in the things that a beginner needs - easier to paddle, catch waves and stand up. The disadvantages are generally things that you dont worry about eg turning.

However, you will have to learn how to get out in the white water and keep your board safe (not hitting other people).

As Jaffa says, a second hand board is the best beginner board (so long as its in reasonable even if not perfect condition). I agree that Bic boards are big, heavy and go straight but arent much good for anything else. 7S boards I have heard are a bit soft and 'dent' easily, but that doesnt affect the surfing, just how they look. They have a reputation as pretty good boards, but again I suggest the biggest one.

Good luck - let us know any more questions.

[ElGoldur]

Long time no see

It seems I will need you expertise again
Last year I ended up not buying any board. I couldn't make my mind and in the meanwhile I had an "accident" and I couldn't surf for quite some time.

I (re)started surfing 2 months ago. Mostly during weekends using 8'4" rental BIC boards. I have not problems catching white wash and from time to time I am able to catch some small green waves.

So, I decided it was time to buy my own gear. Last year I didn't have that many options in the area I live but things changed. One of the surf shops got a bunch of walden boards (magic and mega magic models in different sizes: 8'; 9' ; 9'2")

I ended up going for a 8' magic model. BTW … my height is 1.8m (5ft 11in) and my weight is around 70 Kg (154 pounds).

Yesterday it was the "big opening ceremony" … I mean, the day I used for the first time my own board. I was so proud and happy. Well, until the moment I entered the water
I felt like I never tried surf before in my life. The board's behaviour is completely different. A word that comes immediately to my mind is : Unstable! The board is way less forgiven than the (crap) BIC. I wasn't expecting this and I felt a bit frustrated. Probably this happens with any new board that we try for the first time.

Do you also have to "relearn" surfing when you use other boards?

Now I am on a dilemma … Should I keep using my board and get use to it or should I talk with the shop owner and see if I can change the board for a mega magic model or/and a longer one.

[Jester]

Can we all just take a minute to congratulate elgoldor for being a sensible beginner please!! Well done for wanting to actually learn and not go crazy short too early!!! BTW I have a bic 8'4 and although most people here think they're horrible, they DO turn and you CAN have some enormous fun on them. Mine has got me out the back on days that it's big and heavy and only two other short boarders managed it..plenty of other boarders were stuck inside that day. Yes it's hard, yes it's heavy breaking through waves, but anyone who says it only goes straight hasn't been on one in waves larger than 3ft.

You will have a readjusting period but that shouldn't be too bad depending on your initial skill. I'd say stick with it, it's only 4 inches shorter and you're pretty light. You always have to relearn a bit so I'm told but it gets easier the more you surf

[dtc]

The Walden is likely much lighter, floats a bit higher, might even be higher volume, and is certainly higher performance (ie able to turn easier) than a BIC. It will be faster. Yes, it will feel a bit different.

However - its a good board and entirely suitable for your weight and your level. There is no reason at all why you cant surf it after a bit of practice.

that said, if you think its the wrong board then try and swap it now (if you can) because in 10 sessions it wont be swappable. I don't think you should swap it, its just a different board and, as jester says (and to be blunt) you aren't skilled enough to pick up on the changes needed straight away. But if you think you will spend your time blaming the board instead of blaming yourself, then get a board you can trust.

I still think you made a good choice however. I mean, maybe you were just having a bad day anyway and you thought it was the board.

[jaffa1949]

As a beginner most board changes feel uncomfortable,, as the feeling is so different. I stand by BICs being barges compared to other boards of similar size.

Still with the Walden you have, it takes a number of session to become used to your new board the more of a beginner you are the more I recommend staying with one board, when you get used to this board you will be many steps ahead of where you were with BIC rentals.
You've gone from a Volkswagen beetle to a performance car , the unstableness you feel is the board waiting for you to take control and ride the wave.

[Jester]

I humbly bow to your years of experience Uncle J ..I however have still had a great giggle on mine

[jaffa1949]

Please don't bow, some people enjoy their BICs.
Mine writes very well unless it get hot and then it leaks ink all over the place, so I no longer carry it in my suit or shirt pocket.
As in all things surfing really good surfers can ride ironing boards and doors!!!
Beginners need to ride floaty wave catching devices because it is really on the wave where learning occurs.
My first board was a 9'6" balsa pig board it qualified as a barge which I had from 1958 until 1962 learned lots on it before I got a modern new hot dog 9'6" malibu in foam.
Started sawing lumps of as the short board thing came on.
My Hawaiian board for my trip in 1969 was an 8'6" stringerless rolled bottom pintail with one of the first fin box systems. It was a great board survived the trip but eventually died.

[ElGoldur]

Thank you Jaffa, Jester & dtc . Your feedback was extremely useful.

Definitely, the surf experience was completely different with this new board. I am guessing I would feel something similar if I had bought a 9' walden. In that case I would probably be thinking that I should had bought a 8' instead.

It seems it is a good idea to keep my board and just keep surfing as much as I can. I will keep you posted about my progress

BTW … I really like this forum. People here are extremely friendly and always willing to help. Thank you guys.