boards/ brands ??

[Aku]

Hi !

I'm thinking about buying myself a board, so could you give me your five favorite brands ?? I'm the perfect beginner

Thx !!!

[sinistapenguin]

It's not about brands. Essentially brands mean nothing - you need to consider size/ shape/ materials if you're a beginner.

Check out the main site for your beginner's guide:

http://www.surfing-waves.com/beginner_equipment.htm

But basically, when it comes to boards, here are your options:

1. If you've never been surfing before - get a lesson or rent a foam board to get the basics.

then...

2. NSP/ BIC etc. - Basically these are moulded plastic boards which are good for learning on - they are more useable than the foam boards you'll get at a surf school and will allow you to get the basics down.

3. Glassed board - The traditional Foam centred/ fibreglass/resin covered boards that most people use. You'll find that these are generally hand shaped and built for performance. They're a lot quicker than NSP type boards with better rails for turning etc.

Then you move on to your shapes. There's a whole section on the main site about board types http://www.surfing-waves.com/beginner_equipment.htm which gives you more detail, but basically the rule of thumb is:

The longer & wider the board, the more stable, the shorter and narrower the harder to learn on.

Good luck

Sinista

[Jersey(C.I)_surferU.K]

You couldn't of put it any better sinistapenguin, i totally agree.

[deathfrog]

I hear the hollister boards are pretty good...






...not

[Laguna]

I agree with whats been said, I think the best board for a beginner is a longboard, you will learn a lot quicker and have the most fun. Whats really good about longboards is that once you get better and progress to a shortboard you can always use the longboard for small days to have fun. Dont buy a board based on looks or brand - buy it on its dimensions, shape and size (something thats meets your ability).

[star]

while we are on the subject of boards...

just something i've been pondering for the smaller waves..

i know its nsp but... im tossing up between the 6'4 fish, and their 6'8 or 7'2 "funboard"? which would be easier to catch waves with bearing in mind they are all a similar width, yet different models?

(here is a link incase you want to have a look:
http://www.nspsurfboards.com)

what you guys reckon? any feedback appreciated!!
(btw i am 5'7 tall )

[drowningbitbybit]

From easiest to hardest...

7'2, 6.8, 6'4.

If you're fairly new to all of this then the fish might be a bit of a handful
They not very stable and take some skill in getting the speed going.

There'll be quite a big difference between the 7'2 and 6'8 as well, so you might want to try them both out. Depends of course on what you're riding now.

[star]

6'7 shortboard.. but im a very lazy person and i hate paddling
building arm muscle supposedly makes your breasts smaller... hence my reluctance in muscle building

[CheeZee]

Hey all

.. ive got a 7'2" Darcy and my bro tells me that im working harder than the board needs me to , basically im over cooking the effort needed to catch a nice easy ride .. i was told that if i cant chill with my start-up then i should try a slightly shorter board maybe a 6'8 or summat and that would suit my start up ..but was warned not to go any shorter because although i have enough energy and power to catch a good ride , i dont have the skills to keep it going !!

Hope any of the above is any use to ya

p.s ..

building arm muscle supposedly makes your breasts smaller... hence my reluctance in muscle building

.. lol

[thegrove]

i reckon beginners should feel comfortable on a wave for at least a year with a mini mal or something then go for the smaller boards and try more tricks.

you dont have to have muscle to paddle really well do heaps of yoga to loosen up your shoulders, chest and back.

[star]

ive done pilates a couple of times but it was so boring, all the breathing provokes too many thoughts of not wanting to be there :/

but each to their own

[MicroFatCat]

6'7 shortboard.. but im a very lazy person and i hate paddling
building arm muscle supposedly makes your breasts smaller... hence my reluctance in muscle building

What?! Ridiculous. If you want to hear the truth, PM me as I don't want to talk about it here