Advice on a new surfboard for a jong

Havent been around much this week, been off the grid mostly building ukes in my familys barn while on vacation.

I have probably decided on a 6' plank for the same reasons you say Rog, although I can get a used 6'4" CI Pod for $375 that is tempting me a bit. Lots of foam, and the price is certainly right. Would be a nice board to have around to let non surfer friends give it a go on as well once I outgrow it. My new 6/5/4 flash bomb will be at my house any day now so Im needing to make up my mind fast. Cant wait to get in the water this week. Hope we get some good waves.....

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Originally Posted by couloirman

Havent been around much this week, been off the grid mostly building ukes in my familys barn while on vacation.

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nice, ya i've been taking a major intertoobz breather. been nice.:) waiting for winter to stick, if it will. may just skip it altogether so long as the surf keeps rolling in. may be looking at our 1st week of no waist high or better surf in 46 weeks! winter def brings loooooong flat spells fer sure. been one helluva year tho.

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I have probably decided on a 6' plank for the same reasons you say Rog, although I can get a used 6'4" CI Pod for $375 that is tempting me a bit. Lots of foam, and the price is certainly right. Would be a nice board to have around to let non surfer friends give it a go on as well once I outgrow it. My new 6/5/4 flash bomb will be at my house any day now so Im needing to make up my mind fast. Cant wait to get in the water this week. Hope we get some good waves.....

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that pod is def a different animal than the plank. the biscuit would be more similar. the pod is a great all rounder from what i hear tho, but may be a bit tougher to catch waves and learn on, but you're an athelete and fit, so..........

6/5/4 f-bomb will be toasty! a good jan through march suit.

some stoke from wednesday. was a good year end swell. http://www.ralphspic.com/newsletter.html

rog

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Originally Posted by couloirman

Havent been around much this week, been off the grid mostly building ukes in my familys barn while on vacation.

I have probably decided on a 6' plank for the same reasons you say Rog, although I can get a used 6'4" CI Pod for $375 that is tempting me a bit. Lots of foam, and the price is certainly right. Would be a nice board to have around to let non surfer friends give it a go on as well once I outgrow it. My new 6/5/4 flash bomb will be at my house any day now so Im needing to make up my mind fast. Cant wait to get in the water this week. Hope we get some good waves.....

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There's like, alot of words there.
Does all that mean you bought a wetsuit
and a surfboard.

I'm going to echo what many have said here.

I would go with a funboard/egg type shape, 7-8 feet, maybe 21 wide, with 2.75-3.25 width.

I know you want to progress, but surfing has a very slow learning curve. You want something that helps you catch as many waves as possible. The nice thing about these boards. is that they are useful even when you get better. When you have added a shortboard to your quiver, you can still use one of these on the tiny days. I learned on a 7'6" funboard, and got lots of use out of it, even when I switched to a shortboard.

I would caution against going too low on the volume. As many have already said, it takes a long time to progress, and going too small will kill that porgression. I learned to surf in college, and I saw numerous people try, and give up. The people I saw who tried to learn on small boards didn't make it. You really will stunt your growth if you go too small. I did at one point, and eventually went back to the bigger board. When I did go back to a smaller board, I went to a board with a lot of volume, a fish type board.

I should add that I have your type of build. I'm stocky, but do lots of weight lifting, so not fat. With our type of build, you will always need a board with lots of volume.

I will also echo what Hugh Conway said above: You will never be a ripper, starting at this age. I know it's tough to hear, but it's the truth. That is not meant to discourage you, as surfing is really fun, even if you are mediocre. Starting at college age, I will always be somewhat stiff. The guys who are really fluid, are the ones who started young.

Once again, I can't stress enough to be careful of going to low in volume. It will really stunt your growth.

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Originally Posted by Long duc dong

I'm going to echo what many have said here.

I would go with a funboard/egg type shape, 7-8 feet, maybe 21 wide, with 2.75-3.25 width.

I know you want to progress, but surfing has a very slow learning curve. You want something that helps you catch as many waves as possible. The nice thing about these boards. is that they are useful even when you get better. When you have added a shortboard to your quiver, you can still use one of these on the tiny days. I learned on a 7'6" funboard, and got lots of use out of it, even when I switched to a shortboard.

I would caution against going too low on the volume. As many have already said, it takes a long time to progress, and going too small will kill that porgression. I learned to surf in college, and I saw numerous people try, and give up. The people I saw who tried to learn on small boards didn't make it. You really will stunt your growth if you go too small. I did at one point, and eventually went back to the bigger board. When I did go back to a smaller board, I went to a board with a lot of volume, a fish type board.

I should add that I have your type of build. I'm stocky, but do lots of weight lifting, so not fat. With our type of build, you will always need a board with lots of volume.

I will also echo what Hugh Conway said above: You will never be a ripper, starting at this age. I know it's tough to hear, but it's the truth. That is not meant to discourage you, as surfing is really fun, even if you are mediocre. Starting at college age, I will always be somewhat stiff. The guys who are really fluid, are the ones who started young.

Once again, I can't stress enough to be careful of going to low in volume. It will really stunt your growth.

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This^^^ do yourself a favor and check your ego on the beach. A short board, even one with a lot of foam, will delay an already slow learning curve. If you're set on a shortboard because you think a LB is for newbz or old guys, then you're not doing yourself any favors and are approaching this from the wrong place. even worst then a LB in a line-up is some dude with a brand new SB that paddles out and sits in the line-up and never even catches any waves, see it all to often.

You're going to suck for at least a couple years, accept it, embrace it, surf it.

Came to my senses and backed out of the plank at the last minute. Ordered up one of these Eric Arakawa funboards. I'd rather support a smaller company that does thing by hand, than one that outsources mass produced boards made in some factory out of a mold.

I know Ill suck for a long while and Im cool with that, but man you guys are debbie downers. I guarantee you that some rippers started once they had some hair on their chest. Most of us wont ever rip, sure, but nothing is impossible.

Arakawa is one of the top shapers, IMO. I guess his company could be considered small but he is not considered 'small' as far as shapers go. One of my all time fav boards was an HIC shaped by Arakawa. Get enough foam and this is a great choice, not cheap, but he shapes great boards

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Originally Posted by Piggity

not cheap, but he shapes great boards

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Actually, the total cost, including shipping from Hawaii still saved me $160 over what a brand new Lost or Channel Island board from the local surf shop would have cost me.

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Originally Posted by couloirman

Actually, the total cost, including shipping from Hawaii still saved me $160 over what a brand new Lost or Channel Island board from the local surf shop would have cost me.

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Great!
So now you have a Surfboard, And A Wetsuit!


I was wondering what kind of board you would end up with!
I mean, considering you asked for advice on suits, and not a single person reccomended that you should buy 6 mil suit to start (but ended up with one) i was really curious where the surfboard debauchery would start.

By the way,
in the future if you get the inclination to support those smaller companies that do their work by hand, instead of the big Burton-owned corporate boards (of which I own one, and it fucken charges).....
your local Mom & pop shapers are:

Dave Levy. LSD
http://www.levysurfdesigns.com/

Kevin Cunningham, Spaire:
http://spiraresurfboards.com/


I'm not sure what state those two are in, but I understand it's a place called Rhode Island?

^^^Is someone recovering from a nice new bikini wax? Try aloe.

You are correct, I didnt get the size suit that was recommended on here because I found a 30% off deal for the 654 flash bomb and went for it after getting advice from a salesman in the store. That is my winter suit now, and when spring comes I will get something lighter. And thanks for the links to those local shapers, I didnt find them when I was searching. I wasnt saying mass produced boards are bad man, just saying I wanted something a bit different and like supporting americans. Im sure your board rips as you say.

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Originally Posted by couloirman

^^^Is someone recovering from a nice new bikini wax? Try aloe.

You are correct, I didnt get the size suit that was recommended on here because I found a 30% off deal for the 654 flash bomb and went for it after getting advice from a salesman in the store. That is my winter suit now, and when spring comes I will get something lighter. And thanks for the links to those local shapers, I didnt find them when I was searching. I wasnt saying mass produced boards are bad man, just saying I wanted something a bit different and like supporting americans. Im sure your board rips as you say.

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Hah. Yeah, well....

I'm not butthurt on the situation.
Shit, I don't care. it's not my equipment. I'm just being an over-agressive responder, because, well. If you ask for advice and don't listen then what was the point of even asking.

Look, it's not a big deal.
As someone else said if you stick with the sport you will end up with multiple boards, and multiple suits.
It's OK, you didn't make a MAJOR mistake.


But, If you are starting out, you should start with the propper basics.
There is a reason why you found that 6 mil on a discounted sale. No-one surfs them.


Boards, eh, whatever. It doesn't really matter what you buy. Soon as you get into this you'll learn that all "shortboards" are really and unfortunatley just disposable items.

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Originally Posted by couloirman

Actually, the total cost, including shipping from Hawaii still saved me $160 over what a brand new Lost or Channel Island board from the local surf shop would have cost me.

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Good stuff, although buying a CI off the rack is about as expensive as it gets except LB's, SUP's and some retro fishes. Getting a custom from a local shaper is about all I've done in the past 8 years. (primarily sharp eye and back in the day christenson) for anywhere between $300 and most recently $420 out the door

I remember when i got my first surf lesson...(2003, hawaii 25 yrs old),
I honestly thought I would be hot shit and ripping it up like a muthafucka in no time.(ha!) I had years of experience in all the other disciplines; snowboard, skate and was was a OG wakeboarding, (bunch of flippy tricks!) wakeskating and wakesurfing, still nothing I've =ever done compares in difficulty to surfing, except maybe math.:biggrin:

As has been mentioned; you spend 90 percent of your time and energy just floundering around learning about wave selection, positioning, and getting out of the crash zone alive that it's hard to progress with a bunch of 15 second rides... and that is if you're lucky.

What I learned is; be humble (stupid has it's moments too), the ocean has its own vibe and karma that has to be respected, and if nothing else you'll piss off less locals and in the future this thread will prevent all of us from have'ing to say "told you so, jong!":wink:

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Originally Posted by Breakwater

Hah. Yeah, well....

I'm not butthurt on the situation.
Shit, I don't care. it's not my equipment. I'm just being an over-agressive responder, because, well. If you ask for advice and don't listen then what was the point of even asking.

Look, it's not a big deal.
As someone else said if you stick with the sport you will end up with multiple boards, and multiple suits.
It's OK, you didn't make a MAJOR mistake.


But, If you are starting out, you should start with the propper basics.
There is a reason why you found that 6 mil on a discounted sale. No-one surfs them.


Boards, eh, whatever. It doesn't really matter what you buy. Soon as you get into this you'll learn that all "shortboards" are really and unfortunatley just disposable items.

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exactly.
extra blubber fucking sux! wait till he puts an elbow across that brand-new bad boy, and all those one-knee stand-ups? good god! it's going to look like a golf ball. and that's minimal as long as he's smart enough to stay away from the many fantastic cobblestone beaches in RI... Knowing what I know now I'd only buy used boards for the first couple years... I did better and used my buddie' LB first couple years:biggrin:

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Originally Posted by My Pet Powder Goat

wait till he puts an elbow across that brand-new bad boy

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UPS is going to take care of that for him,
Then he'll have to return the board half way across the earth.

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Originally Posted by Breakwater

UPS is going to take care of that for him,
Then he'll have to return the board half way across the earth.

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Ha! Just throw it over the gate, bro!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQy6xuI8x18

that reminds me; we forgot to mention he might like the durability of an epoxy ..or was that mentioned and ignore as well?

congrats coolieman! ping me whenever yer up this way.

rog

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Originally Posted by My Pet Powder Goat

that reminds me; we forgot to mention he might like the durability of an epoxy ..or was that mentioned and ignore as well?

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Nothing in this thread was ignored. At least one person recommended a 5/4 'or more' rubber for north of the cape, which i will be surfing. I dont care about having to get an extra wetsuit if it means more days in the water.

I inquired about getting an XTR epoxy board, and the people at Arakawa think its too hard to repair if you do get a ding, and also has problems with bubbling/gassing over time so they dont recommend it but would do it for me if i decide to go that way when my name comes up on their list.

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Originally Posted by icelanticskier

congrats coolieman! ping me whenever yer up this way.

rog

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Wll do buddy. Im In a rough block at school for the next 3 weeks but then ill be up in NH every weekend and some weekdays.

they fed you a bullshit line when they told you epoxy boards are too hard to repair.

Is there anything different about an XTR epoxy from regular epoxy board? I want to avoid talking without knowing what I'm talking about.

If no differences, then epoxy boards are very easy to fix. Same as if you are fixing the sidewall/Topsheet on your ski. Get some 24 hour slow cure epoxy, mix it, cover it with parchment paper to mold it and eliminate as much sanding as possible. I actually use Epoxy on my Poly boards if I need a quick fix. (Never put regular poly resin on an epoxy board, it will eat your board right in front of you)

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Originally Posted by couloirman

Nothing in this thread was ignored. At least one person recommended a 5/4 'or more' rubber for north of the cape

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everyone recommended a 5/4 for N the Cape, no one recommended a 6/5/4, not a big deal, were just giving ya some shit.

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Originally Posted by couloirman

Im In a rough block at school for the next 3 weeks but then ill be up in NH every weekend and some weekdays.

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3 weeks? there goes your 6/5/4 window, you're gooing to need a 5/4 by then:wink:

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Originally Posted by My Pet Powder Goat

3 weeks? there goes your 6/5/4 window, you're gooing to need a 5/4 by then:wink:

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Just so you can read this line a second time.

I did say

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Rubber: Ideally hooded 5/4/3. I think a bit more of that is advised north of the cape.

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But then again, I don't surf there anymore unless it is August. I guess it depends on preferences. I don't even bother with the 5mils out here, because I prefer to paddle if I get cold. Still, paddling in a 6mil will strengthen those arms. One of my favorite things about surfing in NE from Feb-July is shedding layers and feeling like Superman paddler every time.

I also guess I should have noted "as a winter suit." But seriously, I remember dodging small icebergs when I used to surf Maine in Feb. Is 5mil enough to ward off frostbite?

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Originally Posted by Piggity

Is there anything different about an XTR epoxy from regular epoxy board? I want to avoid talking without knowing what I'm talking about.

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I'm not sure what "standard" epoxy is in the surf industry, really, there are a whole bunch of brands/variants floating around with various underspecified material properties and various working mixtures. Compared to boat epoxies the information on the surf products sucks.

XTR is a proprietary epoxy/closed cell extruded foam brand; you need some vent holes on the board to prevent delam/bubbles apparently. It gets repaired like any other epoxy board - even several years ago most surf travel destinations could repair epoxy boards if they could repair boards.

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

I'm not sure what "standard" epoxy is in the surf industry, really, there are a whole bunch of brands/variants floating around with various underspecified material properties and various working mixtures. Compared to boat epoxies the information on the surf products sucks.

XTR is a proprietary epoxy/closed cell extruded foam brand; you need some vent holes on the board to prevent delam/bubbles apparently. It gets repaired like any other epoxy board - even several years ago most surf travel destinations could repair epoxy boards if they could repair boards.

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More opinion, but the only epoxy I like is that which is laid over wood, so the epoxy brand really doesn't matter. This one happens to be resin research.

Someone was talking about wombats at some-point in the blah-blah. They are kinda-groovy, kinda Meh.

Attachment 107490

my placebo rocket uses flexlite 2 epoxy. i love it cuz it's durable yet rides just like a good poly board does. really nice flex and rebound. not too stiff like most other epoxy and xtr boards i've tried.

rog

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Originally Posted by My Pet Powder Goat

3 weeks? there goes your 6/5/4 window, you're gooing to need a 5/4 by then:wink:

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I surf almost every day before school on borrowed boards until mine arrive, just wont make it up to NH for a few weeks. The 6/5/4 has actually been treating me really well and doing exactly what I wanted it to do-- be warm enough that I never have to cut a session short due to being cold. Ill pick something lighter up in a couple months but Im really digging being toasty in the water.

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Originally Posted by couloirman

I surf almost every day before school on borrowed boards until mine arrive, just wont make it up to NH for a few weeks. The 6/5/4 has actually been treating me really well and doing exactly what I wanted it to do-- be warm enough that I never have to cut a session short due to being cold. Ill pick something lighter up in a couple months but Im really digging being toasty in the water.

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Thats great, best thing for your surfing is to spend serious HOURS in the water, so maybe the 6 is best for you

Sent from DBT's moms house using DroidX and tons of anal lube

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Originally Posted by Breakwater

More opinion, but the only epoxy I like is that which is laid over wood, so the epoxy brand really doesn't matter. This one happens to be resin research.

Someone was talking about wombats at some-point in the blah-blah. They are kinda-groovy, kinda Meh.

Attachment 107490

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Nice looking board - you make it?

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Originally Posted by couloirman

just wont make it up to NH for a few weeks.

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let me know when you do. if there are waves, i'll be on it. if it's dumping snow in the hills with surf at the same time, i'll be surfing. new/old rule in play this winter:)

rog

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Nice looking board - you make it?

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No, but thanks.

Palownia.

my EPS epoxy "point blanks" is bulletproof, albeit a bit stiff.

my XTR merrick is such a piece of shit. lots of bubbling, and rusty discoloration. all three fin boxes, and the leash plug all pulled out, and the deck is delaming mega. all within 1.5 years.

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Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

I'm not sure what "standard" epoxy is in the surf industry, really, there are a whole bunch of brands/variants floating around with various underspecified material properties and various working mixtures. Compared to boat epoxies the information on the surf products sucks.

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That's why I asked, ever since Clark Foam went under it seems everyone has presented the next best foam but then the truth comes out that it's brittle or there was a bad batch released. Seems like it's getting better but the first few months after the Clark Debacle was pretty bad. My old S-core was one of the strongest boards I've ever owned and the core was....well.....hollow, go figure. I rarely buy off the rack anymore though