I need helping choosing a surfboard

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I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby endlesswinter » Wed Jan 04, 2017 11:45 pm

I am a 17 year old guy 140lbs and 5'9

I live on the south coast of England where the waves are almost always small and I have surfed a few times in the past year and have become hooked and just want to surf as much as possible. I really want to get my own board so I don't always have to rent stuff and more spots can be accessible to me. I really love the brand Catch Surf and I would love to get a 5 foot softboard from them, it has lots of volume so I think I would be able to catch waves relatively easy. Thing is that is more expensive than a hardboard I could get at my local surf shop but I'm afraid I might not be able to catch waves as easily on that and the board can't be more than 6'9 or it is too inconvenient. Please give advice if possible
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby dtc » Thu Jan 05, 2017 12:49 am

What have you surfed so far? How did you go? Why do you love 'catch surf'?

A 5ft soft board is a 'beater board' for shore break fun - not for a beginner (board wise or wave wise). Get the longest board you can. If that's a 6'9 funboard then get that.

A 5ft board requires constant pumping and rail to rail surfing, not to mention a fast and spot on pop up and good wave positioning (both to catch the wave and stay in the pocket). You might have these skills after you have surfed for, say, 500 hours. If you work hard.
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby endlesswinter » Thu Jan 05, 2017 1:54 am

Ok thanks dtc
I really like them because their birds look cool and they are compact and easy to travel with. Do u have any recommendations for boards that might suit me? I have surfed longboards a 6'7 softboard and a 6'2 hardboard
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby dtc » Thu Jan 05, 2017 2:45 am

Getting a board because it's easy to transport is a bit like taking ballet shoes on a hiking trip because they take up less room in your backpack. They do but they aren't the best choice for what you actually need them for

There are heaps of boards and brands that will suit. Have a look at the Torq boards (eg the mod fun or even 6'10 fish) or NSP or Bic or Cortez - these are all cheapish epoxy (tough) brands that are good for a beginner. A second hand board is also a good option - just look for one with a mini mal/funboard shape (eg that looks similar to the equivalent Torq or Bic etc board) that is as long as you will accept eg: 6'8 x 21 x 2 3/4 (the dims for the Torq funboard) is a good starting point. Or longer if you can manage it!

Also there is nothing wrong with getting a catch surf softboard (or any other brand eg a wavestorm). Just not 5ft - stick with 6'6 or longer
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby Big H » Thu Jan 05, 2017 3:24 am

dtc wrote:Getting a board because it's easy to transport is a bit like taking ballet shoes on a hiking trip because they take up less room in your backpack. They do but they aren't the best choice for what you actually need them for

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Classic!
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby waikikikichan » Thu Jan 05, 2017 8:41 am

Why don't you get the Skipper 6'6" ? It's in the Odysea line up by Catch surf. Plus it's a Quad, so more speed in the barrel.
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby YungGrom » Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:48 pm

What is the average size of the waves your wishing to surf?
I like surfing, surfing is fun...
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby endlesswinter » Thu Jan 05, 2017 10:08 pm

The average wave size will be around 2-5ft. The catch surf website doesn't ship to uk but would the 5'6 skipper be ok? Is the fish tail design harder to ride? And also thruster or quad?

Thanks a lot guys
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby dtc » Thu Jan 05, 2017 10:49 pm

I think the point you are missing is that a board under 6ft (really, under 6'6) is not what you want. Wkk was being sarcastic (for someone in the water so much he is very dry) - you won't be needing speed in the barrel at this stage.

If you are absolutely committed to buying a 5ft something board, then get whatever you want- minor differences won't impact on your ability to surf it
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby waikikikichan » Thu Jan 05, 2017 11:12 pm

dtc wrote:Wkk was being sarcastic (for someone in the water so much he is very dry) - you won't be needing speed in the barrel at this stage.

No not me, It was what Catch Surf said in their description of the Skipper, trying to market their product.
"Now equipped with our hi-performance fin system for added drive in steeper waves and even more speed in the tube. The Skipper is your first mate for fun!"
It's funny when makers say Good for all skill levels, from 1 foot to double over head, easy to catch, easy to turn, blah blah. Beginner-intermediates eat up that marketing like crazy.
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Re: I need helping choosing a surfboard

Postby Narradude » Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:59 pm

I think they only eat it up because they just don't know any different. The problem is in the way surfing is marketed. Beginner-intermediates are told by someone, who in their eyes is an "expert" that they will be fine on whatever board the maker is selling that week and with the way surfing is portrayed in the media, that everyone surfs "sexy" shortboards in overhead Barrels, i think that they were always on to a loser. Beginner-intermediates are sold a lie and in the end its not surprising the believe the hype.

This is why half the people who ask for advice about Surfboard size on this website don't want to believe the great advice that they get from the members of this forum. We need more people like you guys trying to set the record straight. Unfortunately it's an up hill struggle.
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