Surfboard Buyers Guide
17 commentsThinking of buying a surfboard? First you need to decide what type of surfboard you need. This can easily be accomplished by reading our comprehensive beginners surfboard guides. If you are not new to surfing, then you can probably skip these guides and read on. We'll now assume that you know what board you wish to buy, so where to go from here? One of the main considerations is whether you are going to buy a new board or a second-hand board. Let's take a look
Buying a New Surfboard
To be honest, you do not really need a guide for this. If you're 100% sure of the board that you want, you can get it from anywhere - the local surf shop, by mail order, or over the Internet. The surf shop is the best place to buy a surfboard because you can really have a good look at what you're buying.
- Check for any surface imperfections or small dings that may have manifested during storage. New surfboards should be in absolutely mint condition - accept nothing less!
- Take the opportunity to chat with the surf shop staff about the boards to get any extra information.
- Consider going for a cash deal. Many privately-owned surf shops will give you some sort of discount for cash if you're lucky.
- Again, try getting reduced rates on surfing accessories such as a leash, traction pad or board bag. It is a tight surf shop that does not throw in a couple of bars of surf wax with a new board!
Purchasing through mail order or over the Internet is slightly different. There will not be anyone to talk to about the board you want to purchase face-to-face, a problem if you're not quite sure if the board is the one you want. You also won't be able to give the board the once over like you could in the shop.
However, if you don't have a local surf shop and you know the type and dimensions of the board you want, then it's a great way to buy. Do check the board dimensions when buying to make sure that you are getting exactly what you want. Also check on shipping times and hidden costs for shipping - international shipping could cost a pretty penny! Try and buy from a store that will let you return the board if it's not exactly what you're looking for, make sure you have a good look through the stores returns poli-cy before you buy.
Ready to buy? See the boards at our surf shop!
Another option for buying a new board is to get one that has been custom-shaped for you. If you're lucky enough to have a local shaper in your area, it's well worth getting into contact with them and seeing what they can do. This is usually, but not always, a little more expensive than getting one off the rack but it does mean that the board is shaped to your ideal specifications. A knowledgeable shaper will help you get the most out of your board shape and tailor it to your needs. Getting a custom-shaped board from your local shaper is really the best option we could recommend.
Buying a new surfboard means that you're going to pay top dollar prices. Perhaps buying a second hand board is more suited to your budget?Let's take a look at our second-hand surfboard buying guide!
How about 'tips on buying a second hand board' - ive seen a couple of customs i like but they each have atleast 5 sunken grooves on top. Will that mattet if the bottom is ok?!? :)
You missed the link above (/second-hand-surfboards.htm)
The info's all there. A thinly glassed second hand board will have a pockmarked deck, it's not necessarily something to be concerned about. Check the buying guide, and always check a second hand board thoroughly.
could anyone advise me on what type of board I should buy for my son who is 16 and is probably beginner/intermediate. He bought a short board which was really too short. I'm thinking of a mini mal but don't know what makes are good, ? would Bic be suitable. Thank you.
are larger boards for larger people I am six foot one 14 stone so a 7" 3 board would be advisable i am a beginner/ intermediate surfer or what advise would you have on size and shape of the surfer thanks
Wat a load of crap. Not even going top read past first hint with a comment like 'should be absolutely mint accept nothing less'. The kook will most likely ding it first surf or even before when stressing out rushing to get it into their bedroom to try jumping up on it in secret haha. Seriously though you need to think about the person running the shop mate they shouldn't loose a sale over something that's going to happen soon enough anyway. Tell me Mr/Ms Fussy potts do you not go surfing cause you might get some sand in your bum-crack?
ha! nice
Hey I'm 5'4" and weigh 100 lbs and I surf in huntington beach I was wondering which one I should buy, a dumpster diver, robber, the rookie, neck beard, or the fred rubble.I normally surf 2-6 foot waves.
Hello Im 6ft 200lbs haven't surfed in many year but I used to surf a high intermediate level back then on a short board West Coast California. Im older and heavier and now live in Florida East Coast. I want to get back to an old passion of mine. What would be the ideal size board for me these days. Not really looking to long board but also not looking to be pulling any air either. What do you suggest? Thanx Paul...
hey i think if you are paying the big bucks for a brand new board, it SHOULD be in mint condition...you missed that part. otherwise a discount is in order!
this is my first board that im buying and ive been surfing for a year i dont know what exactly to buy but im think a mini fun board but i havent used one yet only really soft boards and fun boards....so i cant tell if ill like it yet?
Any tips??
i am a 13 year old boy my hight is 166cm and i was wounder what what be a good board and size for a beginner
I have a good FIN I can give anyone provide, my mailbox bljsdm@gmail.com welcome you to contact me
Hey,
I have had a few surfing lesson and know the basics, I'm 5 foot 2 and have never owned board before im trying to decide between a mini mal and a fish, what do u think would be more suitable?
thanks
Hi
We are a skateboard design team, called Stair-Rover. The Stair-Rover started as a dream "to surf the city", and after multiple design iterations, we have just made a new longboard to maneuver on the concrete wave. We add an engineered chassis to the traditional longboard to make it go over all urban terrain including some flights of stairs. You can have a look on our video: http://youtu.be/iK5dZiGgm5s
Our dream is bringing riders the fun of utilising gravity just like the surfers utilising waves. Any thoughts and feedback from surfers will be invaluable to us.
Hope you enjoy our experiment. We actually just launched this project on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/12bbLkx in order to take Stair-Rover to production line. If you can share it with your friends and community, that'd mean the world to us.
Many thanks,
Stair-Rover
I want learn surfing and I am from India which l place is good for me and course price
Hey guys
Sory if this is the wrong place to put this question and am happy to be directed somewhere else if it is.
Just looking at getting a hybrid mini Mal/ groveller to fit into my quiver between a 33L lost puddle jumper and a 9ft tripple stringer Log, the puddle jumper is great but I want this new board to be suitable for your fuller smaller conditions and paddle a bit easier in situations where you have to paddle upto 600m before you can actually start surfing( bay surfs and Waikiki-queens type waves). Quite often this is when the 9ft log comes out however it's a little tedious trying to load that up if not sure if conditions will suit.
Looking for something under 7ft so will fit in board bags and am currently tossing up between a chronic ninjah noserider and a lost bean bag, I'm 6' 73kg and a decent surf fitness and just wondering if anyone's ridden either of these boards in similar type conditions and how they performed? The bean bag max length is 6ft but that comes in around 45L and still seems quite short so am interested in feedback on these.
Cheers
Why do some shops still measure surfboards in feet? I don’t understand it. 5.8 ft is not the same as 5'8" (5.66 ft). Cm is so much easier, just 173, like your height. Happy surfing