Gday all,

Just after some reccomendations on a board...

Bit about me....
I live in South Australia, mainly surf at Middleton. Been out bout 5 times. Started off with a board from my uncle (Burford Blanks, 40 year old 6'4" single fin dinged up yellow heavy son of a bitch). Pretty terrible in all aspects. Bit of an idea of my skill level... Second time out i could get up on 1-2 footers.. After the fifth time i can get up on most waves. How do i rate lol? All i can do is stand up and cruise. Slowly starting to get a bit of control (wouldnt get in my way tho, swerving people surely aint my strong point).

Im 5'10, 60kg (Little Bastard) and 18 years old.

What im after is a board which is still good for a beginner but will still be good as i get more experienced. Paddling is my main issue, im not very strong and after not playing footy for a couple of years i have become rather unfit :p.

So far my top pick is a Rusty Piranha. Seems perfect for smaller waves and will be good for my skill level but will still be good when i become more experienced. What is most important at the moment is the size of the board (So confused). Is 6'6" too big (looking at getting a fish). My main concern is paddling... At the moment i paddle and seem to get practically no where. What i want is to comfortably paddle out and catch lots of waves for experience. Rather than spend all my time paddling.

Im in it (surfing) for the long run. Have been an ocean lover all my life. Snorkeled since i was 5, obsessed spearfisher and freediver for years and years. Skiing, Wake boarding, kite surfing, scuba diving. Tried them all, loved them all. Just this year i had the chance to try surfing. And my love for the ocean continues with every new water activity i try.

Have i answered my own question with the board im after? Is what i am after practically impossible?

Money is no issue...

Thanks for all your help in advance,

Jesh

thommo 000 said...

why don`t you just go with the Rusty Piranha then, and get another board when your ready......o hang on is it made in China?

Only the tuff lite ones are, 6,6 is the way to go I started on a 6,8. More foam,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,MORE FOAM!!!!!! You need it when you are learning, and length is your friend as well.
Thommo is right tho just get a new board when you think you need it.

If money is no option then go the Rusty learning curve will be alot quicker, or dare I say it a 7s fish but set up as a thruster not a quad, one of them should be gettin u up and going quick, and you can get them in type of sizes.

arkgee said...

Kearnsey is right master the beast first it would have enough volume for your light weight, then start borrowing your mates boards...ride as many different boards as you can and you will eventually come to your own conclusion as to whats right for you...you have time on your side...hey uncle Don may even want to buy it back to hang on his wall?

From what I can tell is the yellow board is heavy/waterloged so that may be a hinderance to paddle ect, arkee is right tho by saying, borrow your mates boards, that way you get to know different shapes ect react and you can refine what you want in a board, its tricky but you will get want you want.

^^^So true!

For your weight no more then 2 1/2 thick and 19 - 191/2 max ya can have a bit to much foam sum times but that should be good for your weight.

squeak043 said...

Gday all,



Bit about me....
Been out bout 5 times. . Bit of an idea of my skill level... Second time out i could get up on 1-2 footers.. Slowly starting to get a bit of control (wouldnt get in my way tho, swerving people surely aint my strong point).

Ok guys really, I mean seriously - the only thing changing ur board at this stage is going to do is mess up what you allready know. Keep it basic!!!

All this talk about dimensions, concave bull**** does'nt mean crap to him at his level and no offence intended squeaks. Its not like he's going to notice much of a difference because he's still surfing flat- eg not using the rails, fins, flex,drive ect.

Squeak- honestly mate keep it real and basic for just a little longer. Only a coupla months even. You will get more waves on the boad your riding now.
Ever notice beginners that are learning on modern shapes having trouble and getting frustraited? Go on ask em, there's plenty of em around...... they think thier doing something wrong . 80 % of it is the board.

With my "fire suit on" for writing this I only intend to give you the best advice that will progress you further quicker. Now go and get out there!!!

Cheers for the advice lads. And Kearnsey thanks for a straight to the point answer. Heading out soon with a whole heap of different skilled surfers with everything from 6-8 foot boards.

So for now ill just keep experimenting and find what i like... I got years to improve. Im just an impatient bugger that likes spending money :p.

For now ill stick with "The Beast" and try as many different boards as possible.

Maybe ill update u in a few months time.

Thanks again