Surf board question....
 

So I'm totally hooked on surfing now thanks to the Costa Rica Bash.

I figured that since I live in CR, I should really start surfing more, so I want to invest in my first board, but I don't know much about them.

I was thinking about something easy and simple like a pop-out Malibu with a squashtail.

Any suggestions?

Dude!
I don't blame you the water in Costa Rica was awesome. I agree, you should start with a board that will be easy to get up on first. Make is easy and more fun for yourself. Once you have mastered that board, you could consider getting shorter board.

Juat paddle out and have fun.

For your first board you probably want to get something boyant (aka wide and thick) and tall since these boards are the easiest to paddle and catch waves with.

I start all my friends out on boards in between 8 and 9 feet tall "fun shape". (Example of a fun shape: photos.surfline.com/albums/boards/normal_Bluebird001.jpg) Fun shapes are responsive, steady and great for learning. Once you get accustomed to popping up and catching waves on a taller board it is much easier to make the transition to short boards if you so desire.

Short boards (7 feet and under) are slow and tiring to paddle but once you get on a wave they are really fast and maneuverable.

Given that you are in CR where you regularly get good waves you can start out on something shorter than what the usual new surfer gets. I would suggest a fun shape between 7'6 - 8'6".

But the best thing to do is to head down to your local shop and chat with the dudes that run the place. They'll find the best fit and get you straitened out.

The only other thing to consider is used vs new boards.

If $$ is no object then go for a new one. But since new boards usually cost between $300 and $1000 most new surfers go for a used one. Used boards are great as long as you give them a thorough inspection.

When you're looking at a used board for sale first make sure all the wax is stripped off. If the wax is still on, it may conceal cracks and dings. Scan the board for spider-web cracks, dings, and soft spots. Especially check the nose and the tail because those are frequent ding areas. Basically, you want your board to be water tight. Most boards are glass and foam so if your board has a leak it will sponge up with water and it will be like trying to paddle a dining table.

Alright, hope that helped. Find yourself a ride and have some killer sessions in CR man :thumbsup :pimp

Dont get a board more than 1.5 feet taller than you are. they are slow and hard to use in bigger waves. You will end up under water more than its worth. You need to be able to manuver in the bigger faster waves.

^^^^^what he said.


for your size i'd say like a 6-0 or 6-1 for you.

bump for you

get yourself a nice 8' or larger tri fin with three mid stringers....

when you land on it, it wont break and bust your head

Go with this one. You shouldn't have any problems standing up on this baby!

http://www.publicflash.net/gfy/longboard.jpg

hahahha Andre

lets hope that doesnt hit you in the head

awesome! thanks for all the advice guys... I'll let ya know how it goes :)

awesome! thanks for all the advice guys... I'll let ya know how it goes :)

Lots of solid advice above :thumbsup

You didn't say how much experience you have but for those that have never tried it but want to learn the best thing to do is start with a long board and learn the basics. Things like paddling, sitting on the board, turning to catch a wave, catching a wave and standing up will be a lot easier on a big board which is more stable. Just stay in the small surf.

Once you've got the basics down you can ditch the long board for a short board and start shredding. I've been surfing for over thirty years and I have to say that out of all the things I've done in my life surfing is hands down the best. Long board or short board it's all good so grab something and catch a wave.

I went to Tamarindo last year for the Robert August Surf n Turf and took some video of my friends surfing some break a little south of there. I put together a video clip for them and you can check it out here https://youtube.com/watch?v=4uJTPI6XfUE
The pictures are from Florida's east coast.

http://www.thewoop.com/public_html/promo/images/15.jpg

http://www.thewoop.com/public_html/promo/images/12.jpg

http://www.thewoop.com/public_html/p...es/slaterG.jpg

GFY is a surfer board

i would suggest to rent for the first few times and then see which one you like the most

Just dont let me catch you out there with a Dil-Doyle
:)

Worst advice ever. :thumbsup

I took up windsurfing this past summer...it's awesome for sure. I surfed a bit in Florida (not the greatest waves) when I went down a while back. On the St-Lawrence river the waves are almost non existent, but windsurfing is fun!

Awsome pics man. And it looks like a decent swell for Florida. I live up here in Boston so I know how shitty the east coast can be on the swell side. I think East Coast surfers are the only people who get excited for Hurricanes :p

Thanks! There's great surf all up and down the entire east coast. It's just not as consistant as most people want. Makes it just that much more rewarding when you finally score. Here's a video cap of a hurricane swell we got last summer in Cocoa Beach.



http://www.thewoop.com/public_html/p...s/BIG_DROP.jpg

[QUOTE=justinsain;12008814]Thanks! There's great surf all up and down the entire east coast. It's just not as consistant as most people want. Makes it just that much more rewarding when you finally score. Here's a video cap of a hurricane swell we got last summer in Cocoa Beach.
QUOTE]

Mmmm, green monsters. Looks like a killer day dude. :thumbsup

Yea, checking the surf report every morning is part of my routine. We get flat spells during the summer that can last for weeks so when the surf finally kicks up, we're all over it!