Softtop Board Suggestions Needed

Discussion in 'Surfboards and Surfboard Design' started by dougb, Apr 11, 2012.

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  1. Apr 11, 2012 #1
    dougb

    dougb New Member

    2
    Apr 11, 2012
    Softtop Board Suggestions Needed

    After 30+ years of body boarding I am planning on taking up surfing.
    I am 53 years old, around 190 lbs and surf at Cape Henlopen and Assateague.

    For a first board I was looking at either the Original Liquid Shredder HD-9'0"
    http://www.softsurfboards.com/HD%20Surfboard%2090Buy.htm
    or the Greco Eden 9’ Soft Surfboard.
    http://www.grecosurfboards.com/surf/

    I am leaning toward the Liquid Shredder but wanted a professional opinion if possible.

    I don’t mind spending a bit more for my starter board as I take many friends and family with me to the beach and expect the board to live on as a guest / grand-kids board for several years after I am done with it.

    Thanks,
     
    dougb, Apr 11, 2012
    dougb, Apr 11, 2012
  3. Apr 11, 2012 #2
    Stayabovetheweather

    Stayabovetheweather Well-Known Member

    282
    Jul 20, 2011
    I woudnt go near a softtop ever!
     
    Stayabovetheweather, Apr 11, 2012
    Stayabovetheweather, Apr 11, 2012

  5. Apr 11, 2012 #3
    rights4life

    rights4life Well-Known Member

    47
    Mar 29, 2012
    your out of your mind if your willing to pay $500 for a foam board
     
    rights4life, Apr 11, 2012
    rights4life, Apr 11, 2012
  6. Apr 11, 2012 #4
    Mitchell

    Mitchell Well-Known Member

    3,106
    Jan 5, 2009
    Mitchell, Apr 11, 2012
    Mitchell, Apr 11, 2012
  7. Apr 11, 2012 #5
    live4truth

    live4truth Well-Known Member

    866
    Feb 9, 2007
    Sounds like a good plan... I would take advantage of craiglists and contact a few shops local to your area--maybe they have something used. If you can't find anything, I agree with the poster above...probably not the best investment to spend around $500 unless you're sure you are going to commit to it or if you can pass it down, etc. However, you could get something a BIC board for cheaper try to cover it in traction if injury is a concern.

    I never really like the quality of the liquid shredders...always felt way to heavy. If I were you...I'd go for a used BIC...most softtops delam and do not last...my $.02
     
    live4truth, Apr 11, 2012
    live4truth, Apr 11, 2012
  8. Apr 11, 2012 #6
    leethestud

    leethestud Well-Known Member

    2,007
    Aug 12, 2010
    don't do it man. That kind of cash will buy you a real board. If you are worried about the hard deck, put a ton of wax on it. I never scrape my log and i bet the wax a 1/2" thick in some places. Nice and comfie...
     
    leethestud, Apr 11, 2012
    leethestud, Apr 11, 2012
  9. Apr 11, 2012 #7
    dougb

    dougb New Member

    2
    Apr 11, 2012
    First thanks for the feedback.

    Soft vs Hard - I should have mentioned that the idea of buying a soft top board was more about hitting other people with the board than falling down on it myself.
    As a surfing newbie if I split someones head open with a real board that would be the end of my surfing carrier.

    Also the thought of letting a non-surfing friend try out a real board somewhere there are other people doesn't sound like a smart idea, but with a soft top board it doesn't seem too bad.

    Durability - I see lots of reviews of cheap foam boards that all say the same thing, they don't last and that is why I was willing to spend extra to get a better board that hopefully will last. The LS HD is a heavy duty board that they recommend for surf schools and other "hard users". I thought that would be a best bet for a durable board.

    Hand Me Downs - I have 5 grand-kids, three boys 14, 10, 8 that visit for a month each summer and would love to ride any board. A soft top would make me feel better as a learner board for them.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2012
    dougb, Apr 11, 2012
    dougb, Apr 11, 2012
  10. Apr 11, 2012 #8
    wbsurfer

    wbsurfer Well-Known Member

    1,539
    Mar 30, 2008
    dude go to costco and get a wavestorm 100-150$ or go buy a int theyre like $250 i think.
     
    wbsurfer, Apr 11, 2012
    wbsurfer, Apr 11, 2012
  11. Apr 11, 2012 #9
    wave1rider65

    wave1rider65 Well-Known Member

    405
    Aug 31, 2009
    Do like everyone says and stay away from the soft tops.......as far as your grandkids... they'll be fine with a regular surfboard.
     
    wave1rider65, Apr 11, 2012
    wave1rider65, Apr 11, 2012
  12. Apr 11, 2012 #10
    Mitchell

    Mitchell Well-Known Member

    3,106
    Jan 5, 2009
    You've been riding waves for 30+ years so my guess is you know how to avoid running people over. Hitting other people with a 9 foot softtop is bad in itself. The way to deal with that is to avoid learning to surf around others in conditions where doing so put them at risk, not by buying a softer board.

    Last thing - learning to surf this summer at Cape Henlopen is a bad idea, compared to assateague.
     
    Mitchell, Apr 11, 2012
    Mitchell, Apr 11, 2012
  13. Apr 11, 2012 #11
    GreenFlash35

    GreenFlash35 Well-Known Member

    159
    Jan 5, 2011
    Yes don't learn to stand in crowd. Can you find a place where you can catch the white water, stand and drop off into deeper water where the wave reforms into a swell? Soft tops i don't know much apout them. Sounds to me like thay might be soft on top with a hard pointy nose. Maybe if you paint it bright fluorescent? If i were to choose a board to run me over it would be a total spong. Also try Proteck Fins.
     
    GreenFlash35, Apr 11, 2012
    GreenFlash35, Apr 11, 2012
  14. Apr 11, 2012 #12
    GoodVibes

    GoodVibes Well-Known Member

    1,223
    Jun 29, 2008
    If you have to go that route,You might want to go check out the Sunset.Not sure about all softtops but this one does way a ton.I'd rather get hit in the head by a regular board.Probably easier to learn on thou.I would stay away from the Liquid Shredder.My suggestion is the CI Waterhog.I had an 8'6.Great board and an easy paddle.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2012
    GoodVibes, Apr 11, 2012
    GoodVibes, Apr 11, 2012