Hi,
I have just got into the awesome sport of Surfing and am thoroughly enjoying the whole experience.
I started on my mates old foamy and decided to take some lessons. I booked a 4 day course in Perth WA, which I have just recently completed.
The teachers at the surfing school said that I am progressing really well and that I should buy a fish as a first surfboard (instead of a foamy), so then I have a board that I can progress on and not have the need to upgrade in 6 months time.


So this is when it gets really tricky for me and any help would be much appreciated.

I am _____meters tall and weigh about 55kg. With this information, I have came to the conclusion that a 6'6 fish would have enough volume for me to easily stand up currently but also would have the room to be able to progress and to be able to carve as I progress in skill level.

I don't want to spend any more than $400 for a board as this will be my first board and as it will get knocked around a bit as I'll be cycling with it.
The 7s Boards second hand are about $500 and that's a bit out of my price

Thanks, I'll look into it

Oh, and the quality is largely in the glassing. Very hard to judge it in the shop.

I've bought off that guy before a while back but for a foamie to throw around. Good bloke.

In regards to boards, jump onto gumtree perth - surfing section and have a look. For 400 you can get a wide range of boards. All my previous boards have been bought off there for no more than 250 (one mans rubbish is another man's treasure).

The biggest thing is to get a board thats got enough volume to float you. Your 6'6 fish would be great. Personally I'd stick with a minimal shape thats longer (go single fin to really get yourself going). To be honest, Perth waves aren't that flash and you need that bigger board to get on early and pull in to the dumpers as theres not much wall or shape to work with/ competing with half the surfing population out on a knee high day. The minimal will still be good once you get out of town and as a starter, good to get you really working on technique because that's what you need to turn those things! Get that down pack then move onto the shorter board. Split the cost of both boards in half of your allowance. You'll have loads more fun and get loads more waves. Way too many people go down too early and you watch them struggle in the surf to catch anything for 3hrs.

Avoid shops. I am not bagging them out but you're still a beginner looking for a throwaway essentially to learn and see if you're still picking up that board once all the beginner nostalgia has worn off. Otherwise you'll walk away with a premium secondhand that had no chance for haggling with. Plenty of people online looking to offload boards they picked up during summer when we all thought we were going to become professional surfers.

What should I be looking at in a board when looking around second hand so I don't get a dud?

mitchbat said..

Branden887 said..
Thanks Buster, I have noticed that boards are super expensive here in Perth, which is why I was thinking about these Ocean Critters boards. It's a brand new board for $400ish that is designed for Perth's surf condition and would be good for me.
What should I be looking out for at the shop to see if the glassing is good quality?

Designed for Perth Surf by a Chinese factory worker. I bought a board cover of the guy and the boards are just standard Chinese pop out poop. Stick with a second hander. My advice is go for an old beaten up mini mal or foamy for as little money as possible and move on once you are progressing. It's going to take a lot more than a few hours in the surf to warrant changing boards. Here's a couple of cheap options to get you in the water
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/baldivis/surfing/foam-surfboard/1083809516
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/south-perth/surfing/learner-surfboard-foam-top/1083927668

I agree Foamy's can be great when learning and can help avoid major injury's, but as for the Critter boards its my understanding the boards are built to the design that the guy who owns the shop wants. He seems like a top bloke who actually does now what he is talking about. Obviously yes quality is not that of some of the bigger brands but they are built and designed to a entry price point, so to get exactly what your after IMHO they are not such a bad option. Many of the top brands are now built under license in China so i guess your just saving some coin for not having the big price tag attached.

A mate bought one as a cheap summer board and he loves it, no complaints so far

I bought an Ocean critters board from him a few months ago and love it! Besides the fact that it's half the price of the name brands, it doesn't ding nearly as easily as the name brand boards. I bought a 6'0 x 18 1/2 x 2 1/4 and it's really a sick board. Loose and responsive in the turns and pretty solid on the open face. I also have a spider and chilli board, but seem to be surfing and enjoying the OC one more... Buying another one next month... Off to Bali...

I went and got one of those diamond tail boards off him on a whim in February, was cheap I wanted new toys and said f*ck it lets give it ago... So far it's become one of my favourites to ride. Quality is holding up well and it surfs well, easy to paddle and fun. Turning is a touch funny due to the tail design but when you get dialled its a fun board for Perth beaches.

Went in and grabbed another board from him yesterday, what ever that orange one with the rounded pin tail is. Got it in a 5'10 and took it for a paddle today, had heaps of fun on it, will have to dial in riding such a small board and haven't surfed for ages but the quality is good and the ride is fun. Again super easy to paddle and get on waves, actually got on to more with that than my 6' webber minifish...

On top of that the customer service is fantastic, he's a super friendly guy really helpful and after sale services are pretty tops. I'd recommend the shop. They sell good boards at a cheap price. Perfectly suited to guys like me who don't surf enough or are good enough to justify spending 700 - 1000 on top range boards.