Newbie could use some help on buying first surfboard please!

[Leonorfaria]

Hey guys!
I'm a noob at surfing. Just started. Used a huge foamie longboard. I'm a girl, around 5'5 and 110 lbs and was looking to get my first board. Thing is, even after a lot of research on google, I'm still a bit confused about what I should get. As this would be my first board, I don't think spending loads of money would be wise. One other thing I would like is a board I wouldn't outgrow in a few weeks. To sum it up, I would like a board I could use for as long as possible, and somewhat cheap.
I live in Portugal and, as far as my research, there are not many places where I could get a board without spending a tone of money.
I found these ones... if any of you could check it out and give me an opinion I would be soo thankful.

http://www.tribord.co.uk/100-7-foam-sur ... id_8356738
https://www.bicsportportugal.com/collec ... ini-malibu
https://www.bicsportportugal.com/collec ... -70-malibu

I've seen a lot of people also advising to look for used boards, but, as I'm a newbie, I'm scared of buying a bad board. What should I look for when looking for used boards?

Sorry for the amount of questions, but I'm really excited to get a board and start surfing like the pros

Thank you so much for the help!!

[dtc]

I think you are looking around the right size given your height/weight. The softboards (first and last linked) are probably the ones you will 'outgrow' the fastest, although it wont be a few weeks even for these - perhaps, say, after 100-150hrs of surfing you might starting wanting a different ('proper') board. (so if you surf 2hr sessions twice a week, then thats 6+ months of surfing). The benefit of softboards is that you dont injure other people if you run into them - of course, you will (and absolutely have to) learn how to not run into people pretty quickly anyway, unless you are surfing somewhere really crowded and there is simply no where else you can go (unlikely). Other than that benefit, there isnt too much advantage to a softboard

The first one I would discount straight away, its only designed for up to 40kg and its cheap for a reason. The third one is ok but, as mentioned, not the best choice. However, if you got the third one it would be ok and, in particular, if you are only surfing a few times a year (say during holidays) then this board will be fine for quite a while.

However there is no doubt that the middle one, the duratec mini, is a much better long term board. Have a look at this thread where the Bic boards were discussed viewtopic.php?t=23235 . So out of the three you linked, this is the 'best' one to get given your comments about wanting a long term choice. Its a board you can surf for your entire surf career, if you wanted (although, like everyone, you will absolutely surf for a year or three and then want another board, then another one, then something different...)

I dont know if Torq boards are available where you are, they are generally regarded as a bit better than the Bics for around the same price. That is not to say the Bics are bad, but the Torqs are a bit lighter and slightly more refined. It wont make any difference to you for the first year or so

Good luck

[Leonorfaria]

Thank you sooo much! I'll try to find some other surf shop around here, maybe they'll sell torq, so I can compare them price-wise!
Again, thank you for the help, I really appreciate it! )

[icetime]

Since we're on the same topic I wouldn’t like to make another thread, I'm looking to get my first surf board, I've been surfing for 2 months I'd consider myself past the beginner stages since I'm catching green waves, I surf a 7"2 hard top longboard with lots of buoyancy, I'm looking for something less buoyant basically something I can pull under a wave from it's tail if I'm caught by a set because right now the board I'm using is hopeless when I'm caught inside I basically can't keep a hold of it and it's a hazard to other surfers.
I weight about 105 pounds, I'm 1.65m and I'm thinking of getting a 7"2 mini mal surfboard, is that a good idea? Also I want a fiberglass one not epoxy because of the price and also weight, where I live there aren't that many surf shops to choose from so basically ripcurl is all we have, what are your opinions?

[Lebowski]

I'd consider myself past the beginner stages since I'm catching green waves, I surf a 7"2 hard top longboard with lots of buoyancy, I'm looking for something less buoyant basically something I can pull under a wave from it's tail if I'm caught by a set because right now the board I'm using is hopeless when I'm caught inside I basically can't keep a hold of it and it's a hazard to other surfers.
I weight about 105 pounds, I'm 1.65m and I'm thinking of getting a 7"2 mini mal surfboard, is that a good idea? Also I want a fiberglass one not epoxy because of the price and also weight, where I live there aren't that many surf shops to choose from so basically ripcurl is all we have, what are your opinions?

You are still a beginner.

There will not be much difference in volume between a 7'2 'longboard' and a 7'2 mini-mal, so spending money so that you can pull it under waves would be a waste. What you need to do is learn to eskimo/turtle roll. This is definitely achievable at your weight. I have taught kids who weigh next to nothing how to eskimo roll an 8ft foamie successfully.

By the way, epoxy boards are also fibreglass. The difference is the resin used (epoxy vs. polyester) and sometimes the foam blank (expanded polystyrene vs. polyurethane).

[icetime]

I'd consider myself past the beginner stages since I'm catching green waves, I surf a 7"2 hard top longboard with lots of buoyancy, I'm looking for something less buoyant basically something I can pull under a wave from it's tail if I'm caught by a set because right now the board I'm using is hopeless when I'm caught inside I basically can't keep a hold of it and it's a hazard to other surfers.
I weight about 105 pounds, I'm 1.65m and I'm thinking of getting a 7"2 mini mal surfboard, is that a good idea? Also I want a fiberglass one not epoxy because of the price and also weight, where I live there aren't that many surf shops to choose from so basically ripcurl is all we have, what are your opinions?

You are still a beginner.

There will not be much difference in volume between a 7'2 'longboard' and a 7'2 mini-mal, so spending money so that you can pull it under waves would be a waste. What you need to do is learn to eskimo/turtle roll. This is definitely achievable at your weight. I have taught kids who weigh next to nothing how to eskimo roll an 8ft foamie successfully.

By the way, epoxy boards are also fibreglass. The difference is the resin used (epoxy vs. polyester) and sometimes the foam blank (expanded polystyrene vs. polyurethane).

What I meant is pulling it from the end of the leash slightly under water so water washes over the board instead of tossing it at whoever is behind me, this is basically when I'm stuck in the impact zone not when white water is coming my way, I can turtle roll with no issue.
As I said I don't own that 7"2 board and I have to pay money every time I use it so in less than 3 months I would have paid it's value basically so I'm better off buying my own personal board now so I can surf any where and always have the board I'm used to.

[dtc]

You shouldn't be pulling boards under the water by the tail - if you are holding onto the leash then its just asking for it to wrap around your fingers, and in any case you are still allowing the 7ft of the board to swing around in the surf. Just hold the nose / wrap your arm around the nose and duck your self down if you need to, or stay on the board and push your body up and let the water go between you and the board. Or push the tail down so the nose goes up and over the white water (you can be on the board or off the board). Anything bigger and its turtle rolling.

At 105lb, a 7ft2 board is probably ok, although at 165cm and 105lb I suspect you are a teenager? So you may well find you are a lot heavier than that quite soon (if you aren't a teenager then don't worry about the growth, obviously). As a beginner I would still keep it pretty wide (eg 21 1/2 inches) and thick (2 3/4) and a funboard shape.

What is the board you are currently surfing? You probably will find that your proposed board wont be any easier to handle on the inside - this is a skill you need to learn. Yes its frustrating not being able to duck dive, but its just one of those things - a board you can duck dive is a board that you cant learn on (generally speaking).

[icetime]

You shouldn't be pulling boards under the water by the tail - if you are holding onto the leash then its just asking for it to wrap around your fingers, and in any case you are still allowing the 7ft of the board to swing around in the surf. Just hold the nose / wrap your arm around the nose and duck your self down if you need to, or stay on the board and push your body up and let the water go between you and the board. Or push the tail down so the nose goes up and over the white water (you can be on the board or off the board). Anything bigger and its turtle rolling.

At 105lb, a 7ft2 board is probably ok, although at 165cm and 105lb I suspect you are a teenager? So you may well find you are a lot heavier than that quite soon (if you aren't a teenager then don't worry about the growth, obviously). As a beginner I would still keep it pretty wide (eg 21 1/2 inches) and thick (2 3/4) and a funboard shape.

What is the board you are currently surfing? You probably will find that your proposed board wont be any easier to handle on the inside - this is a skill you need to learn. Yes its frustrating not being able to duck dive, but its just one of those things - a board you can duck dive is a board that you cant learn on (generally speaking).

The board I'm using is a 7"2 hard top but with foamy rails, it's by softtech and is obviously a beginner board, I'd just like not to spend money every single time I go there for renting the board and having someone watch over me, I'm not new to the ocean so I'm probably not going to drown (Not dumb enough to land myself in a situation to make me drown like going for the largest set or shallow waters with rocky bottoms), and yes I'm 16 so I'm a teen.

[dtc]

Ok, softtech boards are big boats and a pain to handle, I agree. They are also really heavy.

So a similar sized 'hard' board should be what to aim for - 7 to 7ft6 long, 22 inches wide (give or take an inch) and 2 3/4 thick (give or take). I highly recommend a funboard/minimal shape, which is what you have suggested anyway. Dont be tempted by a hybrid or 'big shortboard' for now. If you think you will be surfing regularly (more than once per week) then I suggest closer to 7ft, because at your age you should pick up surfing skills relatively quickly. It will be a harder start than a longer board, but you will probably enjoy it more than a longer board after 3 or 4 months.

The size of the board best suited to someone depends mostly on level of experience and skill but also is linked to weight, which is why I asked the question. So at 105lb the board suggested should be fine, and at 120lb its fine as well. If you surf regularly then by the time you hit 140lb it will still be fine (your skills have developed so you can handle a smaller board relative to weight); on the other hand if you dont surf regularly and hit (say) 180lb, then its not going to be the best board by that stage. So as a growing teenager, that is something to keep in the back of your mind.

In any case, it suits you now and should continue to suit you as your skills develop. If you are still surfing the same board at 20 I'll actually be amazed. After four years most people will have bought their 2nd or 3rd board (or 15th, for some people)

[icetime]

Ok, softtech boards are big boats and a pain to handle, I agree. They are also really heavy.

So a similar sized 'hard' board should be what to aim for - 7 to 7ft6 long, 22 inches wide (give or take an inch) and 2 3/4 thick (give or take). I highly recommend a funboard/minimal shape, which is what you have suggested anyway. Dont be tempted by a hybrid or 'big shortboard' for now. If you think you will be surfing regularly (more than once per week) then I suggest closer to 7ft, because at your age you should pick up surfing skills relatively quickly. It will be a harder start than a longer board, but you will probably enjoy it more than a longer board after 3 or 4 months.

The size of the board best suited to someone depends mostly on level of experience and skill but also is linked to weight, which is why I asked the question. So at 105lb the board suggested should be fine, and at 120lb its fine as well. If you surf regularly then by the time you hit 140lb it will still be fine (your skills have developed so you can handle a smaller board relative to weight); on the other hand if you dont surf regularly and hit (say) 180lb, then its not going to be the best board by that stage. So as a growing teenager, that is something to keep in the back of your mind.

In any case, it suits you now and should continue to suit you as your skills develop. If you are still surfing the same board at 20 I'll actually be amazed. After four years most people will have bought their 2nd or 3rd board (or 15th, for some people)

Visited my local surf shop they suggested a victory mini mal 7"2 epoxy board, the guy said it's incredibly durable and best for beginners like me since they can take a beating and it's surprisingly cheap, the bag, elash, fins and board together are around $500 and from what I hear everyday from peoples prices that's actually really cheap, anyways I'll consider buying it in a month or two but for now I'll stick to the annoying rentable softtech ^^

[icetime]

I think this is it's model, this is the same paint job at least.