NSP Surfboards are Fine

[Canuck in the UK]

Howdy,

I have been surfing for about a year, once a week if I am lucky. I started on a bic, they bought a 7'2" NSP funboard. I have read lots of posts in various forums going back years, and usually, everyone is trashing NSP boards.

Yep, they are more or less bottom line. I have never surfed on a custom board, but I would not argue that flex, speed, performance in general, etc would be weaker in the NSP line.

Still, I think it is a dis-service to newcomers to present such a horrible picture of these boards. Mine is great for me, and after a year my skill is still no where near the level where I would notice any difference. I have another 18 months to go in the UK, and I doubt if my skill will ever advance to that point. The NSP board is easy to paddle, near indistructable (and easy to fix damage if it does occur), and performs fine for a beginner. It is way cheaper than a custom board, and if you can find one second hand, you can be much more assured that it will not be too badly damaged.

I spend as much of my time under water getting thrashed as I do surfing, and having a more expensive stick tied to my leg would not help me at all. I hope in time to get to the point where a custom board would make a difference, but I am realistic. If you are just starting, forget about the cool factor... who cares if people in these forums think you look like a kook if you carry an NSP out to the beach... the fact is, just like me, you are. Of course the folks who are talented/experienced wouldn't go near one of these things with a 10 foot pole, but hey, that is not good advice for a beginner.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but more important than your board is simply getting time on the water. I am not ashamed to surf a mass-produced pop-out; in fact I feel pretty good because I don't see the folks around me in the line-up with obviously better gear doing a whole lot better than me. Just my opinion, feel free to disagree... interested in hearing any other comments.

Cheers!

[essex sucks]

hay mate i agree most of us on here do tell the beginners to get there self a cheap second hand bic or nsp to lean on, as they are good boards to lean on but sorry to say mate u will get to the stage where it wwill hold u back from progressing

[drowningbitbybit]

I have never surfed on a custom board

You're not in a very good position to judge then?

NSP's are cr@p, total rubbish.
But total cr@p like your first car - slow, cheap, easy to drive (although NSP's are less likely to fall apart than most people's first cars....). For your first ride, you dont want something expensive, fast and difficult, so that lime green ford fiesta/pink NSP is perfect.

But once you've done your learning years, its time to get out there and buy a Audi/custom, and then you'll never look back.



This analogy would be fine, except my vehicles are consistently getting older and more rubbish

[Hang11]

Wouldnt it be more expensive to buy a NSP, sell it, and buy a custom board, than just buying a custom board in the first place. Creates a bit more landfill too.

Unless you're surfing rocky beaches or similar, you won't kill a proper board any quicker if you're learning than if you are surfing well, probably the opposite.

At the end of the day, NSP boards are OK for learning, but you won't be wanting to ride one after a while, so if you're going to buy a board, why not just do it right at the start and buy a proper one, hopefully supporting your local shaper instead of some asian factory at the same time.

[jon.biarritz]

Couldn't agree more with the above.

Yup NSP surfboards are fine, as long as you don't get used to anything better ...

I did the same as you, my first board was a cr@p Thai-made pop-out, too. It took a couple month of surfing daily, trying different boards, getting out there and up on waves, to start keying in on the difference. If you've been surfing regularly and frequently for a year now, wouldn't it be about time to be trying different boards? Once a week in the water isn't a lot, but changing boards around can help in improving and getting perspective and understanding.

[alanjlc]

Hey guys, I am buying a used 7'10 nsp from a guy on craigslist. Are there any particular aspects about the board i should ask about before agreeing to buy it from him. I got the usual response 'in good condition'

Also if i go to the seller to see the board....what should i look for to see the condition of the board. (ie cracks etc)

[phillwilson]

if an NSP stops the "procrastination factor" and actually gets you in the water up and riding then more power to you I say,

but I will NEVER get that bloody tail pad............what a uselessadd on which Im sure is there specifically to market to the "ooooh Andy Irons has one of those on the tail and ...look these bics and cortez's dont...this must be the better board" demographic.

[kitesurfer]

I've only ever once ridden an NSP board and that was a 7ft6 minimal. I rode it in costa rica (did i mention that i'd been there?) one time and had a great time on it. However they are a pile of the big brown stuff, great for surf schools and beginers alike and the occasional ride in costa rica when you haven't got anything else to ride.
Oh and canuck, 18months is quite a while, you should be way past nsp stage in that time if your serious about your surfing.

KS

[davej]

I'm 31 and I've only been surfing for a year or so after about 15 years of skateboarding and snowboarding, but I continue to be shocked by how massive the snobbery is within this sport. I surf a bic as i'm continually skint and have never been able to afford anything else, but have a great time whenever i'm in the water, and continue to progress. within in a few weeks of learning i was turning comfortably on it, and catching just as many good waves as custom board riders i was surfing with. I couldn't care less what anyone thinks of me when I'm in the water. Considering surfing is supposed to be a free and expressive sport I think a lot of people out there need to stop worrying so much about what others are riding, and hating on cheaper options which give easier access to the sport for beginners.

an yes, i know you're probably thinking "well if you'd bought a custom you would've progressed more.." but to be honest, as surfing something i do for fun and to relieve the stress in my life, I'm not going to let it keep me up at nights.

thanks.

[esonscar]

Hahahaha - dude - snobbery is funnnnny !
I am an accomplished surfer and love shredding the waves in my underpants much to the bemusement of those fully clad in brand new attire !
Surf on and have a blast - If youz' on a Bic then you'd never even see the real surfers.

[isaluteyou]

bics/nsp/ other cheap chinese popouts all do one thing really well - They Suck Agreed they might be cheaper (with good reason) but why the hell not just get a second hand board, be a damn site better than the above mentioned junk. In my humble opinion all these bic style boards are great for absolute beginers who dont know dip about squat. But the moment you can actually pop-up and ride a wave with some degree of consistency its time to put the junk away. Or better yet skip it entirely and get a half decent second hander if you are skint. And when you want get a custom board or new one. Or like some people i know who only ever buy second hand. Although nothing beats the feel of a new custom designed to your style and specs

Im open minded enough to know that somewhere there is a surfer who shreds a bazillion times better than me who thinks bics are the nuts But for the most part these guys who ramble on about how great they are, Probably have zero idea what they are talking about.

Yes there is snobbery, agro, and complete gimpy'ness amongst some surfers but hey that's all sports bar none. Get over it

[kitesurfer]

and catching just as many good waves as custom board riders i was surfing with.

Then i suspect that there weren't very good then.

KS

[SSSurfer]

I've seen people ripipng these boards. In Hawaii. No I've never seen one at sunset or Jockos, but I've seen people who surf WAAAY better than me killing it in overhead hollow waves in town. People dont really care WHAT you ride out here so long as you can ride it and dont drop in. In one spot the other day there were bodyboarders, bodysurfers, paipo, alai'a, sups, longboards and shortboards. With a 9'0 nsp and 7 foot nsp too. All in one spot and all getting along. Can you imagine that? And NO I wont tell you where. lol.