Thickness

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Thickness

Postby cy » Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:49 am

Is there a minimum thickness for beginner boards? What do you all suggest that would help noobies (like me) learn faster :-)
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Postby Sillysausage » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:01 am

there is no minimum thickness really, but there is a guideline. as for board dimensions your probably looking for something like, 7'6, 21, 2+3/4 (ish), depends on your height, weight..etc
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Postby justloafing » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:40 am

My opinion is different than Sillysausage but hey it's all good. Well I have no idea where your goals are in surfing but to start out with I would get at least a 9'0" - 10'0" and about 3 1/2 inches thick. Sillysausage is right about your weight and height, it would help to know that.
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Postby Sillysausage » Mon Jul 02, 2007 12:05 pm

yeah, it also depends on where you want to be in the future aswell, sorry, but theres loads of different things you could point out (and when i said the dimensions that was the minimum i would go with)
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Postby dougirwin13 » Tue Jul 03, 2007 1:05 am

Also depends on the construction medium. A performance compsoite/epoxy board should be thinner and wider than an "equivalent" performance PU board.

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Postby eastcoastsurfshop » Tue Jul 03, 2007 10:04 am

Depends on the board really. Magic Carpets tend to be thicker than minimals (pretty much as thick as a longboard) whilst things like wombats fish etc will be a little thinner. A minimal would be a good start, between 7'2" and 8'0" depending on ur height/weight & ability. They are not too big (a 10' board is a big board to be strapped to your ankle if you are starting out surfing + much harder to handle) and not too small. Best of both worlds really.

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Postby cy » Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:46 pm

Thanks for responses! I am 6', 175lbs. I have a 7'4" Tony Staples right now, but I don't know it's thickness (I'm sure it's not more than 3") and composition. I am thinking I am either too inexperience on it or I am too heavy because I am not catching as many waves as I would like too. I have been able to get up on both feet on white water several times but most times I always sink down.

So, I am thinking of going up in size and I am getting lots of choices to include thickness and composition of the board. I just want to do this right this time around to get over that learning curve quick....so maybe I can ride my 7'4" and enjoy it more!
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Postby justloafing » Tue Jul 03, 2007 5:24 pm

Yes I would find a 9'6 and 3 1/2 inches thick. Two things I would consider. If you go out and get a long board and you think that you may like long boarding. I would go to a surf shop and tell them you can get up and ride but your just starting out but that you want a board that will help you now but one that you can get better on and the board will still be fun to surf on when you are much better. I just did the exact same thing.

The other thing..........if you just want to make a shorter learning curve. Go get a cheap used board if your goal is to get back on to that 7'4"board and smaller boards. What I mean by cheap I guess is an older board. One that you can get a little bit of money out of when you want a new board. Or just keep around for any newbie friends that may want to try. :wink:
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Postby cy » Tue Jul 03, 2007 9:09 pm

Thanks!

I just saw this for sale just now:
Polystyrene epoxy board
7'2" x 20.75" x 2.83"
for only $200

I just measured my 7'4" and it is only 2" thick. This is much thicker, but shorter in lenght. Will the length of this board make it harder for me to learn (I know you adviced for 9'6")? Or, is going up on thickness good enough to get the result I need? (sri, if I'm confusing anyone...cuz I'm confused too :-)
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Postby Otter » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:36 am

If you want to learn to surf quickly, catch some real waves and start having some fun, get a longboard. When you're good on the longboard, scale back to the shortboard you currently own. 'Nuf said.
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Postby dougirwin13 » Wed Jul 04, 2007 4:27 am

If you really aren't sure I suggest you get some different demo boards and see what feels right for you.

And then order or buy soemthing similar.
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Postby cy » Wed Jul 04, 2007 8:32 am

thanks guys! that helps.
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Postby bokey » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:54 pm

cy wrote:Thanks!

I just saw this for sale just now:
Polystyrene epoxy board
7'2" x 20.75" x 2.83"
for only $200

I just measured my 7'4" and it is only 2" thick. This is much thicker, but shorter in lenght. Will the length of this board make it harder for me to learn (I know you adviced for 9'6")? Or, is going up on thickness good enough to get the result I need? (sri, if I'm confusing anyone...cuz I'm confused too :-)


Instead of buying a board I would first rent several different boards each for a whole day -- doesn't really matter what kind/type they are because you should get the general feel for it anyways. You can try an 8'6" board, 7'6 board, or something maybe a little smaller. From this you can gather which one you like better and then work from there. That is your safest bet imho.
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