After a NSP 7"10, what next?

[thomo101]

Hi,

I wondered if anyone can advise me on my next board choice.

I've had a couple of NSP's over the past few years and they've been perfect to learn on. Now that i've improved and am beginning to turn etc I want to shorten my board (a bit) and upgrade. I'd say i'm breaking into the intermediate range

I'm looking for a 7"6 around the £300 - £350 mark. I've seen a Circle One, Southern Swell...are these any good?

Thanks for your time

Ed

[jaffa1949]

Thomo 101,this is the same reply I posted to you in surf hardware section, and as you are ready for the next step , go to your local shaper especially if they have a good reputation, have a good honest talk about where you are at and see what he recommends, go for a good all round shape based on the places you surf, and have bit of volume as you are going shorter after the NSPs, I imagine that he may have some older stock or some second hands that could support the price range you want.
BTW if you feel he is giving a sales pitch walk out.
A good shaper would like to generate a loyal client/shaper relationship as you'll keep coming back, it's a great feeling for both of you

[tony g]

Hello,
I would try out a couple smaller fiberglass funboards and maybe a little bigger fish 6'6"-6'8". If you can try out a couple of your friends boards, or rent a couple from your local surf shop. That will give you an idea where you are at. My son Kevin went from a longboard to a 6'6" fish and did really well. The bigger fish is still really stable depending on the width I think his was 22" wide, It also was a lot more turning oriented than his longboard, and he loved that. I think everyone is different so try as many boards out as you can before you take the plunge to buy one. Good Luck!

Tony
Safari Town Surf Shop
http://safaritownsurf.com/

[prawerski]

I just want to point out, for those who don't understand this concept, that not all people live in a place where they necessarily have a local shaper. I know it would be ideal to go and speak with a local shaper, get their advice and see what their best suggestion would be. However, it is often the case that the local shapers are very busy and not accessible, or that someone doesn't have a local shaper at all. I'd be willing to bet that most people who are looking for advice online don't have access to the advice of a local shaper. I also know that my only local shaper makes expensive boards, much out of the range of a beginners quiver.

That being said I firmly believe you should be trying a lot of boards to see what you like best and then make a decision on what you buy. Ordering or buying in a shop a board which you haven't ridden is a little risky if you aren't experienced and don't know exactly what you're looking for. My advice would be to try as many boards as you can, and I definitely suggest the previously mentioned 6'6" Fish idea, I made the transition from a longboard to a Fish of this size as well, and I love it. The best thing you can do is gain a familiarity for the boards, your break and your surfing style. I don't know anything about Southern Swell so I can't really help you there.

If you feel you would really benefit from the advice of a shaper, which you probably would. I would suggest trying to find a small shaper online whose boards you like. Drop them an email and see if you can't get a conversation started. You can do almost as well speaking with them online as you can in person. This is what I did, along with speaking to people at my local break and in my local surf shops.

[jaffa1949]

NSP are made by Global surf industries, if you are happy with their product then I'd look further at their range,and they have product try days they have some models in either standard glassing or epoxy.
I had a look at the circle one and southern swell site webwise they looked ok but I'd get my hands on one first. Ask the crew where you surf which shops or boards they favor, reputation of good boards help.

hey Prawerski, your right about not necessarily being a shaper in an area, but there is often a bunch of surfers of similar standard who might have some good advice. local knowledge