Are you suppose to have a connection with your surfboard?

[anthonywash4]

I am a beginner surfer, and my dream is to be a great surfer and to basically just live at the ocean. I went to a local surf shop to check out boards that fit me and would be in my price range. I saw this board and its like i had a connection with it as if it was my destiny to rip waves with this board. Is this weird? Or does this happen to everyone?

[drowningbitbybit]

Boards are disposable pieces of equipment.

[billie_morini]

makes a difference to me and applies to many things for me: surfboard, guitar, sports car, motorcycle, home, pen, drafting table, eye glasses, hammer, screw driver, wrench, dogs, etc. If the vibe or dimensions are right, it's better. If the vibe or dimensions are wrong, it's worse.

[themathteacher]

YES!!!

I've bought boards that I've sold almost right away because I just did not like it. Surfed fine, and can't but my finger on it, but sold it because I just could not get to like it.

[Hurricane]

Every single one of us realizes it differently like mine is I see a board, I touch the board, then the board is in my hands out the door in the water (after paying and speculating about it first ) so yes.

[jaffa1949]

It's true all boards are capable of singing and making great music with you.
Some it is just right!
Others it is like turning up at a punk rock festival with a cello and classical music
If the board plays your tune you may be connected.
An emotion on the ocean

[perusurf]

sometimes it takes a while to get used to a board, but it does have to become part of you, lke if it was an additional extremity, board does what you want to, when you want it to, if it doesn't, you'd know, change it, newer boards will keep your performance up, eventually you know which boards will work for you just by looking at it, the size, width, etc, for the type of wave, fins also do help, but that's something you start noticing once you get good at it.

[kitesurfer]

If there's one thing that surfers generally are really bad at and thats talking about the sport they love. It just comes out like a load of old twaddle. I enjoy surfing and kitesurfing but some of the retorical waffle (for want of a better word) that comes with it does make me cringe at times. Anthony if you like the look of the board then buy it but don't expect it to start talking to you. It is after all just a piece of foam and fibreglass with a bit of wood down the middle.

KS

[RonG]

You should definitely have a connection with your surfboard. A leash should connect it securely to your leg. Beyond that....

[perusurf]

you know...it all depends on your vibe, it's like if you put your heart into doing something, it'll come out better than if you just do it for the hell of it..... so if you look at it like just a piece of foam, fiberglass and a string of wood, then maybe it's all it is, maybe after surf you're not completely satisfied, you'll be....yeah...it's ok... i got my waves.... had mediocre surf....
but if you get a board you have a conection with...i believe you'll surf better, you'll have your stoke up! you'll have a bigger smile on your face afterwards, since you like it more then you'll be more confident and just do better overall, it's just a different feeling...
i have several boards but only surf with 3 depending on the day....
it's not the same when I try a different one....

[dtc]

I think every sport people get into their equipment. Particularly men...anyway, chat to a cyclist one day and you will come away thinking that surfers are at the sane end of equipment obsession (not to mention the cheap end). Golfers can also be bad. And photographers. And coffee geeks. I do think the surfers that obsess over 1/4 inch here and there are kidding themselves, in the main; but if you like and feel good about your board you will surf much better

[kitesurfer]

but if you get a board you have a conection with...i believe you'll surf better, you'll have your stoke up! you'll have a bigger smile on your face afterwards, since you like it more then you'll be more confident and just do better overall, it's

I guess its a matter of personal opinion then. I make all my own boards so i know there shapes to the mm but they are still only boards. There is nothing magical about them. One may work better than an other purely because it is a different shape or has a better glassing job on it and i can't remeber the last time i didn't enjoy going kiting or surfing.

KS

[Lomax]

Poetic as that sounds, as a beginner, I don't think you should be obsessed with your board. It's not your girlfriend. As you develop, you'll figure out what you like, and you will have a "quiver" of boards that work for different spots or waves. Eventually if you do learn to seriously rip, you may prefer to get them custom-made. Baby steps. Ride that sucker and have fun. In the end, you will change a lot. The board will always be the same (just with more dings and crappy patch jobs).

[pmcaero]

As a beginner, the best board is one that is floaty and sturdy.
My BIC might not be the sexiest board around, but it has worked well for me for these past 6 months.
That being said, I have a second board which I fixed up, because it came as a wreck, and, although I can't catch waves as easily as with the BIC, I feel more connected to it due to the time I spent working on it.

[Seyrnahd]

My boards are adulterous. Every time a really big wave comes along it rips it from me.

But seriously they are not magical. When one snaps you just get another one. You dont hold a Wake or perform Sati when it dies do you? right... well... lets hope not

The real connection is your understanding of what boards really work for you

[jaktequila]

I'm kind of a spiritual guy so yes I feel a connection between me and my boards. I haven't had that many, just 5 surfboards so far.

[stevie]

Everyone is different but its all harmless, i live an hour from local break an when i go down the stairs in my flat an see the board hangin in the stairwell i smile, this piece of epoxy/foam can make me smile because of the memories it evokes, this is why i think there is a wee connection, despite my usually cynical attitude

[billie_morini]

ant,
It's not weird and it doesn't happen to everyone. While many have posted that you wouldn't/couldn't/shouldn't become attached to these inanimate objects, I remain unswayed. I've got a connection with my favorite board and the rides are arguably better.

No two guitars are the same either. That's why you play 6 or more of the same copy that interests you. No two racing motorcycles are the same either. That's why racers go faster on their A bike than their B bike, even though they are supposed to be the same.

[esonscar]

Primary connection to board = as you say
Secondary connection to board = leash !

[libeccio]

If a board is just a piece of foam, waves are just water, we're just meat puppets.... this is not surf for me.

I feel a deep connection with my boards....i take a look at the spot, watch a set, than my quiver and i choose the best board for those waves and Also for my mood...every day and every swell are different.

This Is my surf