Newb, with Softcore question

[CruzinAlt]

First of all, Hola folks, Im a newb to the forum, and have found quite a bit of info so far. I was suprized that there were not more quality surf forums online.

Anyways, on to my question. I have been a bodyboarder (sponger, dick dragger, whatever you want to call it) and have decided to potentially get into surfing. Considering that I love Bodyboarding, and am not real sure about surfing vs. bodyboarding I was considering getting a Coolboard - soft top surfboard for cheap, 8' for $169.

I know a lot of you guys thrash the soft tops in these forums, much as I look down on styrofoam nylon covered boogie board. My question is, for the amount of money Im looking to invest (Max $200 for now, have a wedding to pay for), the frequency I go (maybe once a week), and my size (6', 250lbs) I see the cheap 8' foam board as a good starting point.

Without the usual "anything other than a glass board is destroying the soul of surfing" responses, what is the actual performance downside of a foam board?

I know I could "Save up" to get a glass board, between the wedding and the new house, belive me $169 is a bit of an streach for some time.

[CruzinAlt]

FYI, here is the board I was looking at

http://cgi.ebay.com/Brand-New-8-foot-Coolboard-Soft-Surfboard-softboard_W0QQitemZ7177680209QQcategoryZ22710QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I couldnt find anything on it in terms of reviews or customer feedback.

Like I said, if it is for just one season, so that Im not a complete newb befor I have a board made.

[tomcat360]

eh.....not much. i really dont like the performance of softies unless you are running a school. that board seems a bit small for you as well, considering it is meant to ride and fit like a longboard. go to the shops around and look for some cheap used boards.

[k mac]

what's the hardest thing about being a sponger ?







talling your parents your gay


also whats the differnce between a cow and a surboard ?




the cow has tits underneath it


sorry illleave now...

[CruzinAlt]

LOL! Good stuff!!!! Im just glad I have a sense of humor!


As far as looking for a cheap longboard. I have done a little looking around, and everything I see is more in the order of $350 and $400. I have yet to see a long board 8' and up for anything less than that.

[sinistapenguin]

OK -

On the PLUS side:

Foam boards are very easy to learn on as they are slow, very stable and won't turn too much and throw you off. It's very difficult to get out back on them so they're ideal for the whitewater. They also flex which makes them quite forgiving when riding whitewater, but if you have a drop to the wave, it will be hard to stay with it.

On the DOWN side:

Foam boards are very easy to learn on as they are slow, very stable and won't turn too much and throw you off. It's very difficult to get out back on them so they're ideal for the whitewater. They also flex which makes them quite forgiving when riding whitewater, but if you have a drop to the wave, it will be hard to stay with it.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that the benefits of a foam board when you are beginning are exactly what stop them from being any good once you progress. I would look at getting a really beaten up mini-mal or longboard or even a BIC/NSP over a foam board.

Once you have learned the basics on a foam board, you will have to learn them all again on a proper board because unlike on a foamer, a hard board will react to what you do. If you get up to one side, the board will turn and throw you off.

You're better going for a hard board as the jump to a proper board is less huge.

You can also get the 'hard bottomed foamers', but I don't know how they perform.

Cheers

Sinista

[globesurfer]

G'day!

All I'm saying is good luck with the wedding!

Is it your wedding? Sick!

[CruzinAlt]

globesurfer - Thanks for the good luck, Things are going good, and I think this marriage is going to go a whole lot better than my first one!

sinistapenguin - Thanks for the no bull, straight forward response. I will definatly take that into consideration. Maybe I'll just rent a board till after the wedding and by that point money wont be so tight, and I'll get a Bic or something.

[coconuts]

...after the wedding and by that point money wont be so tight...

That's what I said to myself before I got married (last year)! Little do you know bro, little do you know...

I'm in a similar situation as you. I used to bodyboard alot, was pretty decent at it. but now i'd like to take up surfing. do you have any budz that surf that have an extra board or could loan you theirs? One of my buddies has a 7'6" funboard and a longboard. He's letting me borrow whichever one he isn't using 'til i get one for myself.

I'm going for a lesson this coming Monday (surf school that uses foamies), then i'm going out on my buddy's longboard right after. can't wait...

Oh yeah, congrats to you and your fiance!

[dondiemand]

Yeah, u can always rent and when u think u like surfing, that's the time u invest on a good board, maybe u can save up for a better one..goodluck!!

[sinistapenguin]

Actually that's the way forward, rent a few different boards so that you can feel the difference, this'll show you which you want!!

Sorry, I forgot to congratulate you on your wedding!!

(5 years next week for me!)

[k mac]

(5 years next week for me!)

what since yourlast surf

(joking dude ) congrats on that sinista ! same to the lady of yours ! (she must be somthing special to put up with a husbandwhos not had a surf for so long