First hard board

[Frostloop]

Hi everyone,

I m looking for advice regarding the purchase of my first hard surfboard.
I ve been surfing a foamie for a year in Manly, AU but a naughty wave put him to rest - RIP. Renting cheap epoxy since.

I can pop up in 1-2ft waves, do basic turns and basic duck dive/turtle. I am not sure if I want to progress long or short board so looking for something to progress and have fun, so not too hard to paddle but able to duck dive, not to hard to take waves but still easy to turn. Budget between 600 and 1k aud.

So far it seems something 7'6 with modom, modern, aloha or if I push, a CI water hog or a scorpion2 are appealing but unsure.

Thanks for your help!
Nic

[jaffa1949]

Nic the shapes in all the boards you mention are good basic all round shapes for progress, length is a consideration that takes in your height and weight so telling us that might help us advise you.

Manly has a heap of surf shops and rentals I wonder if you could rent just a couple more times, hopefully one of your candidates!
Think too whether you want PU or epoxy, at your stage in your surfing journey and Manly drainpipes and crowds epoxy might be a little more durable!
If you are buying new great all those brands are reasonable quality establish a relationship with one shop or head out to Brookvale and talk to the factories there! Have fun buying

[waikikikichan]

What size was your softboard. Reason I ask is because a 8'0" soft board has the float of a 9'0" hard board. So if you thinking about a 7'6" hard board, you'd had better been fully capable on a 6'6" - 7'0" softboard. Soft boards give a FALSE sense of stability and paddle power.
I wouldn't go less than a board two feet over your head UNTIL you can get all the basics down first.

Forget about being able to duck dive until you're ready to ride a short board.

[Frostloop]

Thanks guys! I m 1.80m tall and 80kg.

Sorry I should have elaborated - I ve been renting 7'6 eps boards (usually nsp element) for the last couple of months and surprisingly enough can duck dive ok with them, not great. The shops don't rent PU, I initially wanted an eps but the shops advised against cheap eps.

My foamie was a 8 ft but after trying 7'6/55L epoxy it feels about the right size/volume for floatation, paddling... As for my level I manage to pop up from my friend's 6'4 but can't say I enjoy the ride or have time to learn anything.

I guess my key question is - should I take a 550$ pop out eps now with the risk of needing to upgrade in 6months or is it worth putting 1k for something I ll keep forever (?) With the extra risk of breaking it. Also, on which one will I learn quicker if any?

Many thanks again.

Cheers
Nic

[jaffa1949]

Really an 8ft EPS, out of the shapes you like would suit the bill, a little more paddle power, more waves don’t go cheap, the knock off pop outs coming from cheap works in China nup! You will notice a good difference in ability to improve and the board will be with you for a good while.
You will also get a feel for whether your later choices will be to go long or short!
Really the first phase of learning after soft is being able to do all the basics and then some.
Fairy Bower will beckon then

[Frostloop]

Haha thanks, great advice

[waikikikichan]

Sorry I should have elaborated - I ve been renting 7'6 eps boards (usually nsp element) for the last couple of months and surprisingly enough can duck dive ok with them, not great. The shops don't rent PU, I initially wanted an eps but the shops advised against cheap eps.

Maybe I can elaborate more in that there's many type of boards made with a EPS core. The NSP Element is a molded-epoxy board. One of the reasons shops don't rent Poly/PU or traditionally glassed Epoxy/EPS boards is they won't last as a rental. Molded-Epoxy boards are very durable and last.
Question: what "cheap EPS" boards were they advising against ?

I guess my key question is - should I take a 550$ pop out eps now with the risk of needing to upgrade in 6months or is it worth putting 1k for something I ll keep forever (?) With the extra risk of breaking it. Also, on which one will I learn quicker if any?

I and every contributor on this forum ( and probably every "surfer" ) thought they'd keep their first board forever. You will learn after a dozen or so that thought wasn't so true. Do you still have your first bike ? Your first golf clubs ?
And what if you have to "upgrade" in 6 months, sell it used and put those funds into the new board. ( we all do that )

I don't know which board will help you learn faster, but I feel the shorter you go too fast, the less of a base you have to build up on. Think of it this way, if you want to bigger stronger muscles/body, should you just try to bench 300 lbs right off the bat or work your way up at steady pace.

[Frostloop]

True - thanks mate!