Hey Guys, I was hoping I could get some help with buying a new board. I’m a beginner to intermediate (more intermediate) I picked up surfing a year ago in California and loved it. I have been surfing ever since. I just got back from Surfing in Costa Rica and it was sick. Anyway I have a 8ft foamish board you can check it out here http://www.grecosurfboards.com/product/the-2-0/ and I think I’m ready to advance to a new board. I have used plenty of fiberglass boards so I know the difference between what I have and what I will be going to. To this point, (because it’s a 8ft foam board) I have only been able to catch a wave and ride in directly into a straight line into shore. I’m trying to take the next step and actually start carving waves and eventually go into barrels etc. I have 2 boards already and this gets expensive quick so the next board I buy I want to use/last a while. Someone suggested this board and I have no idea if it’s the best for what I’m trying to accomplish http://www.surfindustries.com/shop/us/s ... fish-3-cv/ I personally thought it was still big but the guy said " The key is to not jump down too short too soon so that you get the “Shock Factor” of wondering why you aren’t catching waves and wondering where the rest of the board is " Can you guys tell me what you think? Also in case in matters I’m 5’8 175lbs and surf in Boston and Rhode Island
i wouldnt go any further,,you do know there is a great white shark offshore up there??? try roller skating
Ok well any advice on the board or boards that would be the best fit for what I'm trying to accomplish based on my skill level etc.
Not a slam on you. Just one year of surfing a foam board or any board in a strait line to shore does not an intermediate make. a 7' 6" fun board, glass or epoxy would be a good next board. Now do a hello tread and get flamed as the new guy... Consider it a trial by fire.
Your height and weight are irrelevant. We need pics of your GF, wife, sister ect. so that we may give you proper guidance. I assume you are straight since you referred to your board as a she. If not never mind.
I'd recommend a hybrid in the 7'0 range for a board you can learn on quickly, and continue to ride as you gain some skill. By hybrid, I do not mean a "funboard," but something like this: http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/surfboards.php?boardid=addvance Funboards are a ton of fun in small surf, but lack the detailed design elements that will open up a decent performance envelope. Ride a good hybrid for another year or two, learn to trim down the line, then do some turns, and you'll be ready for a user-friendly shortboard as your next stick (dwart, etc.).
I called a few surf shops and told them my skill level and my expierence and the type of waves I usually surf. 2 out of the 3 shops recommended either a 6"8 or 6"10 Firwire Dominator. They tolmd me there would be a learning curve but once I got the hang of it it will be a board I'll love for years
I dont think you're slamming me. But if I was able to surf the massive waves in Costa Rica on a fiberglass board I think I've outgrown the fun boards
Are you hung up on Firewire? I personally am not a fan, but to each his own. Can you turn your current board at all? A drop to a 6'8" or 6'10" shouldn't be too bad, you will def notice a huge difference when trying to turn the board. Always check craigslist, it will save ya some money!
I've seen a lot of Firewires out in the water. I can only think of 1 or 2 people that actually surf them well.
Dude, no offense, but if you need to ask how big a board you need, then I would still put you in the beginner camp. Especially if you're still going straight. Ain't nothing to be ashamed of, we were all there at one point. FWIW fiberglass/epoxy fun board is the way to go. If you jump down to a dominator or dwart, while it sounds good on paper, is not a wise decision IMO. Be more pragmatic, go with a board that you can take out in all conditions, will allow you to work on turns and learning to carve and will be stable and float you well...a funboard. Trust me, it will be more fun and benefit you in the long run. The shop guys are correct that you can go with what they recommend, and that there is a learning curve. However, I think you are grossly underestimating how steep that learning curve is going to be when transitioning from a soft-top long board to a large(er) shortboard with only one year of riding whitewater under your belt.
Yes and I understand that. Trust me I don't enjoying having to throw down another $800 on a new board if I dont have to. My point is I can't get better on this fun board. At its size and material it wont let you even try to carve waves. The board needs to be shorter. At every point you need to take the traning wheels off. And I'm not buying another foam board even if its shorter. Yes I know the learning curve will suck and I'm sure I will be frustarted, but after I figure it out I think it will be easier for me to try and carve waves. I'm just looking to progess as a surfer and only using a funboard, I dont see how that helps me progres? Its honeslty getting boring of just riding directly into shore.I make turns here and there but becasue its so pick its slow. I know you guys are trying to help and I aperciate that. Thats why i posted here to begin with. But all the surf shops are telling me to get a shorter board, even if I dont buy it from them. I told the same thing I told you guys where I surf, skill level, and what I'm trying to do. They all recoomend a dominator or similar board. I'm pissed that I have to spend another $800 but if it makes me a better surfer and happier in the long run then I guess I'll do it.
Why do you have to spend $800? Find something in a similar shape, $500 cheaper on craigslist. Use the board for a while, get better and then spend the loot when you actually know what YOU are looking for. Ya know what I mean?
