Beginner Question - Differences in boards?

[Bad Beat Maker]

Hello everyone,

First time posting here as I just signed up. Anyways, I'm a 21 year old college student and a friend and I decided to give surfing a go! Tried it once when I was a senior in high school on a longboard I believe and got up a few times and was pretty cool.

Anyways here is my question. What is the difference between a $500-$600 board from Company X (insert whatever you want there) and a $400 board from Ron Jon. I saw in their store that their brand is cheaper than the other brands. Why is this? Any of you have Ron Jon boards? If so how do you like them?

- Fernando

[isaluteyou]

Nope i dont think there will be a difference ron jons board look pretty decent to me.

[Bad Beat Maker]

What about size, what would you recommend. I live in Southwest Florida (Fort Myers) due to college but sometimes go back home to Jacksonville.

I am 6 FT tall and 160-175 depending on if I am working out or not.

I am athletic if that matters ;-p

[isaluteyou]

To be honest id advice that you buy a second hand long board say 9ft+ then sell it later and buy yourself a brand new one when you are confident on your feet.

[Bad Beat Maker]

Could you point me in the direction of finding a second hand longboard?

When I was a senior in highschool I did try surfing one day when my class went to the beach. I'm not sure it was a 9ft board but I was getting up. If I had to guess I would say it was like a 7ft - 8 ft board.

[tomcat360]

You can check your local craigslist or trading post. If you are in a beach locale then there will probably be something. Also, regional forums, like this one, just specific for your area could have something.

Surf shops also generally have used boards on consingment. You just need to know what to be watching out for when picking out a used board.

[Otter]

The differences are probably in the quality of the materials used and the glassing. Some inexpensive boards aren't glassed at all, or have very thin coats. The glassing is basically your front line of defense against the board getting waterlogged, the better the glass, the more expensive the board... unless you're shopping at a tourist store, then they'll sock it to ya for whatever they can.

[tomcat360]

Oh yeah I forgot to put in my own little opinion on Ron Jon

I saw their boards and was unimpressed. First off I'm pretty sure they are china boards, while most other boards are made in the US. They might be shaped by a machine, then tuned up by a shaper, then glassed by hand, but at least they are touched by human hands at some point.

I was pretty un impressed with the store, it came across as a teenage girl clothing store.....I think I'm gonna take that sticker off my truck actually.

[Bad Beat Maker]

Okay, back with several questions.

I found a longboard for $40 (guy admits its beat up and what not), but for $40 I figured I'd at least see what you guys thought and if you guys say to give it a shot, why not?


floridasurfboards.com/php/BoardDetails.php?BoardID=25


Also, wondering why a 6'8" fish board is listed as good for beginners up to 160 lbs ( onjons.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MenuGroup=5&SelectedItem=39&Category=Surfboards&Page=1&ProductID=1067-0031a# ) while a 7' funboard is listed as good for beginners up to 150lbs ( ronjons.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MenuGroup=5&SelectedItem=39&Category=Surfboards&Page=0&ProductID=1068-0011a ).

Thanks in advance.

[Bad Beat Maker]

Also what do you guys think of this one. ITS UGLY AS FOOK but what the hell, if I build up a collection so be it? You guys think I should scoop this one up? 20 Miles from me.


cgi.ebay.com/7-10-TONY-STAPLES-EGGSHAPE-FUN-SHAPE-TRI-FIN-SURFBOARD_W0QQitemZ290099915219QQihZ019QQcategoryZ22710QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Brisbanebound]

I wouldn't waste money on either of those boards mate!!! They are both in really bad condition, chances are they surf like total pigs and you'll get frustrated and give up.
You really need to go to a decent board shop and talk to the people there. Make sure they are actually surfers and know what they are talking about!!! A second hand board doesn't have to be a total mess! That long board has so much damage that it will be waterlogged and that means you'll catch nothing! But you might get a couple of splinters off the broken stringer!!!!!
Don't worry too much about the various names of shapes. Basically a fish is normally a short board with a large volume. Lots of width in the middle and nose which makes it paddle easier. These are not good boards for beginners though as they are normally pretty loose.
Funboards can also be referred to as Fat Boy Flyers. Essentially they are a shortboard shape but a mini-mal size. They have tons of volume, are long and stable and not too loose (this refers to how easy the board turns). A funboard can be a beginner board and I'd go for at least a length of 7'2".
A mini-mal is the same shape as a longboard but about a foot shorter. They are probably the best shape for a beginner as they are stable and not technically demanding (which longboards can be). They are also a lot cheaper than longboards. I'd go for a mini-mal if I were you.
If you are determined to pick up surfing and to stick with it you should look for a decent second hand mini-mal (they may have a different name in the US). I dont know the market in the US but I'd say you'd be able to get a decent board for 150bucks.
Perhaps the best thing you could do is hire a board a couple of times first?
ALso, if you are buying a second hand board, chances are the shop'll let you try before you buy. Ask!

[surferdude_scarborough]

agreed with everything he said. also if you go for a minimal you wont want to get rid of it if you choose to progress onto a shortboard because there will always be small days when a minimal will work but a shortboard wont. its also a good middle ground. you might find you want to go for longboarding later. personally i cant handle longboards. i get confused with that much board so i went short. but a minimal is loads of fun whatever you ride normally. however finding a used one in good condition for not much money is hard because no one wants to get rid.

[drowningbitbybit]

Click here for the much-posted 'types of surfboard' link

[boco rio]

I have a Ron Jon Mini Longboard 7'6" that I love to surf. It's 3" thick and floats me (165 lbs.) fine and is easy to surf. I paid $200 for it lightly used and couldn't be happier. Keep checking eBay and you'll find one for about the same.

ronjons.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MenuGroup=5&SelectedItem=39&Category=Surfboards&Page=0&ProductID=1068-0008#

[Bad Beat Maker]

I am very interested in the funshape boards. As I stated before I have tried surfing once before and was able to get up within my first 15 minutes on a board which I would guess to be 7 ft to 8 ft, but closer to 7.

What do you guys think about this board?
ronjons.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MenuGroup=5&SelectedItem=39&Category=Surfboards&Page=0&ProductID=1068-0007

Again I am 160 at the moment. 6ft tall.


Oh I also should mention that although I would be driving to Miami, and other areas including my hometown of Jacksonville (6ft swells in the morning near the pier), my LOCAL beach (Fort Myers Beach) has waves that are between 1-4ft, but average I would say is 1-3. Is it even possible to ride these? If so would a 7' funboard even be worth the attempt on this stuff?

[boco rio]

I think you'd be real happy with a 7'6" funboard. I usually surf mine at Flagler Beach and it works well for beach break or by the pier. It also works well in big or small surf, but I prefer riding my longboard when the surf is less than waist high. Anyways, I don't think you can go wrong, just my 2 cents.

[Bad Beat Maker]

Ok well it looks like I will be deciding between the 7'6 and 7', but perhaps much to the dismay of other members, I went ahead and bought the board off Ebay, but met with the guy selling it first. It had two dings which were repaired before and he threw in a nosegaurd and the FCS key which was not included with the auction and he also took off $10 since I had to drive out if I agreed to tell others about the other boards he was selling. Turned out he had like 20 boards in his garage and sells used boards for a living. He said if anything was wrong or the board didn't perform how I expected to just give him a call or stop by his house. Not bad for $90?

[Bad Beat Maker]

What characteristics does a SuperMini board have?

ronjons.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MenuGroup=5&SelectedItem=39&Category=Surfboards&Page=0&ProductID=1068-0008


The boards I'm deciding between are that one and the following:

7'6 Funboard
ronjons.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MenuGroup=5&SelectedItem=39&Category=Surfboards&Page=0&ProductID=1068-0005a


7' Funboard
ronjons.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MenuGroup=5&SelectedItem=39&Category=Surfboards&Page=0&ProductID=1068-0007


I really like the look of the 7 footer.

[rich r]

Didn't you just buy a used board for $40?

Beat on that for awhile unless it just doesn't float.

(by the way, FCS keys come in boardshorts along with wax combs all the time)

Umm - but, anyway.

the mini board they have up there is basically what it says - a scaled down longboard. It's not a 'mini malibu' like the brits here would call it - the tail end is skinnier than a malibu would be, in my opinion.

If you look at the shape differences, it'll tell you how it'll behave differently. It'll have a bit more 'float' just because the front is going to be wider. The tail's a hair wider, too, so the turns may not be as sharp.

But, both are 3 inches thick, I just noticed, and almost the same width at 22inches. For a beginner, you won't notice too much difference between the two boards, other than the mini being a hair more stable, if you notice that at all.

The 7-0 is going to be a bit more unstable for you than both the 7-6's. You probably would notice a difference between the 7-0 and the other two boards. It'll be a bit snappier in turns, but also harder to handle.

[Bad Beat Maker]

I bought a 7'10 funboard for $90, but as you said for me to beat up on it for a while - this one works but IS already beat up. I had to buy suncure and do some sanding on it too, didn't take too long but I just want a board I can be sure wont start taking on water after a few more outings and anyways the Ron Jons arent expensive, but I'm not getting it right now. I got a interview there in 3 days and the discount I believe is good so I want to see what prices I see for boards and I won't be dropping to a shortboard or anything just want a board I know will last for a while.