Funboard as a first board?

[ocean]

A couple of guys i've spoken to have said that a funboard shape will be better than the mini mals i've been looking at for my first board.They said that because the funboards are high volume they'll still be easy to ride but will turn better than a mini mal and be easier to paddle out. I'm just worried that i'll buy one then discover i should have went with a mini mal.

I was looking at these 3 does anybody have either of these boards or anybody want to give me some more suggestions!

Custard point 7'4 funboard
Spider 7'6 Evo funboard
Escape 7'6 funboard

Are any of these a good choice for my first board.

Up till now i've been renting Bic mini mals but i'd really like my own board now just unsure whether to go for a funboard or mini mal.I'm 5'7 and around 60kg.

[Granite]

I've got a Nigel Semmens 7'2 funboard and I find it excellent. I've surfed loads of different mini-mals and longboards and reckon I'm progressing faster on this board than any others I tried. Would totally recommend one as its so versatile.

Not sure about the makes you mention as not surfed any of them but with the height you are I'm not sure you need to go as big as 7'6.

How often do you think you're gonna get out? Where will you mainly be surfing?

[ocean]

Cheers for the reply.Hopefully going to get surfing once a week maybe more once i get some transport sorted out rather than borrowing cars as i'm doing at the moment! Mostly going to be surfing east coast Scotland Belhaven,Pease etc with occasional trips elsewhere.

[Granite]

Ha ha, same neck of the woods as me. If you've ever had anything to do with the club at belhaven then chances are you might know me. If not then I'd be happy to let you take a look at my board and give it a go if you're surfing around same time as me this Sunday (tbc)

[ocean]

Nah never had anything to do with Belhaven surf club yet! I only found out it existed a couple of weeks ago! Thanks for the offer of trying your board out i'm not going to be out next couple of weekends due to work. But i'll give you a shout if i'm heading there any weekend i'm off.

Whats the surf club at Belhaven like?

[Granite]

Club is good, great way for any newbies to meet up and surf together. We do a few comps, local and enter nationwide ones, very much a social thing too.

[ocean]

Nice one! It would be good to meet some people to surf with round here.At the moment i've been travelling up to Aberdeen a lot as none of my mates here surf so i either go up there or wait for them to come down here.

[Granite]

Got my board from Steve at St Vedas (Coldingham), think he still has a few of them so check em out if you get that far south. Not the best price but I'd rather get a good look at a new board before buying.

[IdRatherBeSurfing]

i have a custard point funboard, triple stringer. tis the board i learnt on and its still my number 1 baby

[ocean]

Got my board from Steve at St Vedas (Coldingham), think he still has a few of them so check em out if you get that far south. Not the best price but I'd rather get a good look at a new board before buying.

Will check St Vedas out if i get down that way never made it to Coldingham so far but hopefully once my van is fixed i'll have more choice in where i go.

Most of the boards i've been looking at are online but it would be nice to pick it up and have a good look before i buy.

[ocean]

i have a custard point funboard, triple stringer. tis the board i learnt on and its still my number 1 baby

I was looking at the single stringer and the triple stringer do you think it's worth the extra cash for the triple?

I've heard loads of good stuff about the Custard Point boards but wasn't sure whether to go mini mal or funboard.But funboard looks like the way to go

[IdRatherBeSurfing]

possibly!? to be honest i have no idea! triple stringers are stronger than single so may be worth it if you think youre really going to suck when you start surfing (i did)

(actually, i still do)

[ocean]

Yep i'm definately still at the rubbish stage!

At least when i get my own board i'll be able to surf more often rather than driving miles to get rentals or borrowing my mates ancient pop out mini mal which is a bit like trying to surf a wardrobe door! Probably more chance of turning on a wardrobe door Door would probably be better shaped & weigh less too:D

[keef]

go with an epoxy fun board as your first board. they are strong and more ding resistant than traditional polyester/fibreglass. a sunride epoxy board is about £250 including fins and a leash. 7'6" is a good length, plenty of float and stable, but not too bad to get out through to the line up, and with a bit of practice you can duckdive them.

[surfdownunder]

Dont get a fun board otherwise you will find it useless in the space of 6mths, be a man and learn on something normal.

[Granite]

Can't see how a fun board would be useless in 6months for anyone, always good to have a solid board for the sloppy small waves we get on East Scotland. Good to learn on and will do you a good while.

[ocean]

Dont get a fun board otherwise you will find it useless in the space of 6mths, be a man and learn on something normal.

Be a man could be a tricky one unless i get a sex change!

I am open to suggestions for my board choice though as i haven't bought anything yet!

[kitesurfer]

There's nothing wrong with learning on a minimal here in the uk. Also if your worried about damaging your first board then go for an epoxy/po-out style board like an NSP for example. Don't bother with a triple stringer unless you really like the look of it as the 3 stringers are mostly for looks. Yes they are stronger but that won't help you in anyway at the moment.
It is possible that sar might be selling her NSP minimal very soon as she's about to take delivery of her new custom board and it is an ideal board to learn on, why don't you pm her to see if she's intending to sell it?

KS

[ocean]

I've looked at the NSPs but i'm worried they might be the same as the borrowed pop out i'm mostly riding at the moment.The guy who owns it reckons it is one of the older Bic mini mals but the decals have all worn off so we're guessing on that one.

I think it's around a 7'6 although i can pop up on it fine i can't turn the thing to save my life.Are NSPs better than the Bics?

[Katza8uk]

my board is my first one and its a roger cooper 7'6 custom and i absolutly love it, its so responsive! im not the most amazing surfer ever but iv still found it pretty good. went on a nsp after id been on mine and could really tell the difference and love mine so much more!