Surf Virgin

by **WaveJunkie** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:13 pm

OK, maybe the tag sounds like I know what I'm doing. Don't bet on it. *LMAO*

I'm near Seaside, Oregon -- you can look it up on surf maps online. North Oregon coast, the "point" is listed as "intermediate" but then this same listing says it's crowded and that the crowds are hostile. Neither are true.

Anyway . . .

The only board I've ever been on was back in 1964, riding the wake behind an outboard boat. I was a hot skateboarder, and I ski, skate . . . balance is not an issue. Also, I have a sea kayak and can catch "rollers" in it out on the Columbia River (which is huge).

Let's see . . . 57 yrs old. Fit. 5'10" 200 lbs. I'm looking at an Infinity, 10' board. It's thick, but I don't know exactly how thick. Not sure how wide it is either. I'm heading back to the shop today to have another look.

The guys at the shop tell me this would be a good board for a complete newbie. That's me. It's in good shape, a couple dents, but it's not leaking water. They want $345, out the door. Leash, three skegs.

I'm clueless about shapes, rails, noses, tails. I'm not looking to set the surfing world on fire. I'd just like to paddle around in the surf and see if maybe I can figure out how to stand on a board while it's sliding down the face of a wave.

I talked to some surfers on the beach, and they agree that this sounds like a decent board for a newbie.

How wrong can I go?

**Sponsor**

by **tomcat360** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:38 pm

sounds almost too long. have you looked at any 7-8.5' boards?

-tommy

by **WaveJunkie** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 1:39 am

Jeez! My knowledge base this afternoon is about six times what it was yesterday.

The Infinity is a "no go" -- The outer skegs are glassed in. The center skeg is tiny, too tiny, and it looks like either "press fit" or else it's glassed in. I want FCS skegs, and would be willing to pay for them.

Next -- the rails are sharp edged all the way to the nose. So, this board is off the list entirely.

There's a nice Dewey Weber 9' 6" and a couple others in the shop. A Tuhl ??? All used in great shape. All running between $400 and $500. All these boards are hand-shaped.

I think I'm looking for a long board, 9' 6" or so, and somewhere around a 60/40 rail. I think too, that part of what I'm looking for in a board is a large "floatation device" that I can be comfortable on out in the ocean beyond the breakers -- maybe an "old school" ocean paddleboard that I can ride waves with.

I'm not looking to set the ocean ablaze. I just want to be able to get out on the water . . . and ride a wave too, but nothing "extreme" or "radical."

The surf here is not very big. 6' on a huge day. Today was about as bad as it ever gets. Usually the current runs NW and breaks off the point to the north.

For the past few weeks the current has been running out of the North and the winds are running NW. Surf is still breaking left (north) but the winds and currents result in some pretty flat, puny waves.

This current has driven the anchovies into the shore. There are zillions, literally zillions of birds on the water -- Brown Pelican, Gulls, Arctic Terns, Cormorants, Scoters. We've had a humpback whale off the point for the past three days.

Surfers are sitting amongst flocks of Pelicans -- several dozen. The anchovies slip through your fingers as you paddle out to catch a wave.

Lots of attractive women who are preferring to sit on shore and socialize rather than don a wetsuit and paddle out into marginal surf . . .

It's a realm larger than just riding the face of a wave for me.

by **tomcat360** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 1:10 pm

the 9'6" sounds nice. glassed in fins is def. not the way to go for a beginner, in the situation you break off a fin, its really gonna cost you to get it back in there.

good luck
-TP

by **chrisco66** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 4:17 am

O.K....a bit of advice. You want to begin with a wide (20-22") board, probably 9 foot would be optimum...or in that range...no shorter. Short, narrow, thin boards are too difficult for beginners and will just be frustrating to learn on. Save those for later when you are shredding! You'll want some thickness in the width...say about 3" or so. All of these dimensions will assist in ease of paddling, balance and catching a wave. And glassed-in fins would also not be good for a beginner for the reasons that another person mentioned. And they are called "fins", not skegs. That's WAY old school and makes you sound like a kook. Get three fins, and make sure they're adjustable. Slide the larger center fin all of the way back in the fin box for stability. Buy a good leash the same length as the board, and use it. Be respectful of others out there and have a good time! Best of luck! Hope this helped...

by **SkateboardsMyOtherStick** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:57 am

Is there realy good surf in Virgina? I've lived in Georgia for five years now and I know South Carolina, Flordia and Georgia all have sorry waves 90% of the time.

by **deathfrog** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 4:09 am

skegs don't make you sound like a kook they make you sound like an old crusty guy that's been around the block a few times and knows what he's doing...

by **WaveJunkie** » Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:53 am

DeathFrog wrote:skegs don't make you sound like a kook they make you sound like an old crusty guy that's been around the block a few times and knows what he's doing...

Back the first time I was getting into it, skegs were on surfboards, fins on waterskis -- 1964.

I got a 9'4" board. I think about 23" wide, 3 1/4 fat. Modern, triple stringer. It's a pop-out, but they're doing great stuff these days with lazers and shaping.

O'Neil wetsuit. 5/3 W Heat which is what's needed in this water.

I've been catching some waves at Indian Beach -- north of Cannon Beach OR. It was really crowded, and so I was riding in on my stomach -- but actually running along the crest of the wave, not riding straight into the shore.

Retired, can surf every day. Weather forcast is for sun tomorrow. I think I'll probably try some standing up.

by **Liquorice** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:49 pm

what did you decide?Xx

by **k mac** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 4:51 pm

http://www.surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3416

Shame :cry:

by **siqnic** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 5:45 pm

It is'nt rocket science, though experience does count for somthing. Get a big board, cluster fins, rounded rails (to grab the wave) and go surfing!
You can't beat a 350$ board. Sounds like you have enough sense not to break the "skegs" off. Who ever sugested to you to get a board under 8" obviously does not ride a long board. Have fun.

by **mcsurf** » Fri Sep 02, 2005 6:58 pm

for what it's worth, I'm 56, surf pretty much every day there are waves, and have a garage full of boards. the one I ride most days is an epoxy 10' Walden. I have a bum shoulder and this board has improved my wave count tremendously. it glides into waves easily, comes around and trims well, and nose rides better than anything else I've ridden. I put a turbo tunnel fin in it as I'm not a big fan of tri fins. The infinity you looked at is a great board, but maybe not the best choice for someone just getting wet. it's all about cathing waves. it's no fun sitting there watching everyone else riding. :lol:

by **A GUY WHO REALLY SURFS** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:51 am

SEASIDE must be siiiiiick !!!

by **Sweet!** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 10:50 pm

WaveJunkie you kick butt!!

Awesome!

I'm just doing the same. Starting out n all. I have a nice 9'3 3" 23". It has awesome rocker and it's the sweetest ride ever!!

I caught my first 'all the way in' from 'all the way out back' massive long ride the other day. turn, turn, trim, still on the green.... YEEEAA!!! oh it was yesterday actually. It's the best feeling aye!

Man I can't wait to retire!!

Surf Virgin

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