hi i started bodyboarding last year. i brought an Alder Reflex board was this a gud or bad choice? also im after some advice/info on what gear i should get?


[Edited on 5-6-2007 by bean gti]

Hi there,

Alder are usually classed as a low spec board company designed for beginners with a lower budget. They're ok for starting out, but if you want to progress in the sport I would suggest getting a new board, now that you've had a year's experience on the one you have now. You're board doesn't include a "stringer" or "rocker": A metal rod in the board that stops the board going out of shape. So within time your board may start to bend incorrectly and loose its original shape.

Once you get a better board, you'll most likely notice a difference in speed, turning and ease of riding. Although this means having to pay more. There's some things you need to consider when buying a new board:

1) Your height and weight
2)Where you surf, what temperature of water
3) What you have rode before
4) Are you going to travel
5) Your budget
6) And what kind of bodyboarding style you want, including if you're doing prone or drop knee, or both

Although the most important things are points 1, 5 and 6.
You will need the following basic gear:

1) A bodyboard (obviously)
2) Some bodyboarding fins - if you don't have these it's like driving a car without an engine!
3) Fin thethers/savers - attaches your fins to your ankles in case the fin comes off in the water
4) Leash - either a wrist or bicep coil leash to stop you loosing your board in the water
5) Surf wax - to keep you from sliding off the board must be soft and suitable for bodyboard surfaces
7) Depending on the time of year and place where you surf, a wetsuite, wetboots, wetgloves and hood. If it's warm then just some board shorts and a rashvest to stop the board rubbing on your chest.

There are loads of website you can find to help you decide on which gear to get, but I like this one:

http://www.bodyboardshop.com/default.asp


Click "Bodyboards" on the left:
Hot Buttered and BZ are really great makes in my opinion, they have lots of professional rider models such as Sean Virtue, Ben Player and Jeff Hubb. NMD are also a good well established make. I have a Manta board at the moment, they're quite a good board make to progress with for intermediates and are not overly expensive compared to other makes.
Look at the description of each board designer and see which one you'd like to look more at.

I think most the boards on this site have stringers. Next choose which board tail you'd like. Most of them are either bat tail or cresent tail:
Clipped Cresent - If you're looking for a great all round tail for both drop knee and prone riders, then this is the way to go.
Bat tail - Most the top end board come with bat tails and are suited for prone riders only, if you want to progress with drop knee don't go for this tail. Bats have more surface area giving more lift and less drag, therefore more speed! Although, sometimes this mean a slightly choppier ride and you have to control the speed to stop sliding.

Click "Board Design Info" on the top bar of the website I gave earlier, read up on that for more info. Read about what materials you want your board to be made out of in that section. Quite important.
You must also MAKE SURE you get the right size bodyboard or it won't do you justice. Click "Sizing Guide" in the top bar to determine what board you need, as well as fin sizes etc.

Click "Fins" on the left:
For fins it's best if you try them on in the shop. There's nothing worse than having cramp in your feet, or if they're too tight or loose when trying to have fun bodyboarding. The sizing guide should help on the website, but it's still best to try them on. You may also want to buy some fin socks so the fins don't rub on your feet, causing blisters or rashes. You then have to try fins on with the socks on too, otherwise the fins might be too tight, same applies if you're thinking of wearing wetboots.
I have Hydro Tech 2 fins which are super comfey and powerful, classed as one of the best fins out there, along side the classic Churchill fins. Although Churchill's are larger and less flexible in my opinion, maybe more prone to cause calve cramp. Viper fins are good for speed but are more uncomfey and really long and stiff. Some shorter fins are the Manta Sharp Cuts, if you can find them to buy, they're good for both prone and drop knee, and are really soft and comfey.
Check out the description on each fin on the website for more info.

You'll be able to find leashes, fin savers, wax, gloves and boots in "Accessories" on the left. And then wetsuites and rashies on the left too.

Get what you feel happy with and suites you, but make sure you get the right sizes and materials for boards. As well as a good comfey pair of fins, then add the accessories.

Sorry this has been such a long response, or if I said anything you already knew. Most of it is probably obvious Hope this helps, ask if you have any questions or want more help.

Andy

thank for that. i should have sed i only went out in newquay 4 days last year and i only go down once a year (2 weeks this year end of july) so i dont think ill ever be any good at it. i did have trouble with my arms gettin sore as i only have a shortie yet suit would havin a long sleeve rash vest on under my suit stop this or should i just get a full wet suit

Sorry for the late reply.
No problem

I can relate to your situation. I live in Nottingham, that's not really close to the coast at all, let alone a coast that has decent waves. Therefore I only get to bodyboard on holidays or day trips, I manage to bodyboard about five times a year for periods of time.
It's surprising how well you can progress though, especially after watching the pro's on bodyboarding DVD's for months.

If you are warm enough in the summer with a shortie wetsuit then I wouldn't buy a full wetsuite, they're for the seasons other than summer really. In British and French summertime I usually wear a short sleeved, long leg wetsuit.
To stop the soreness of your arms rubbing on the wetsuit:
1) You could wear a long sleeved rash vest, although people don't really do this and it would look a little silly. But if you're willing to do that then you can.
2) Try find a rash vest that is short sleeved, but the sleeves are still long enough to cover where the wetsuit arms end. This is what I do.
3) Apply some vaseline to your skin and the ends of the wetsuite/rashvest arms in that area too, this can also be done on the neck, legs or feet seems. This will reduce soreness and rubbing.

Also make sure you wear waterproof sun protection cream, so you know the soreness won't be due to sun burning. It's so much easier and quicker to tan/burn in the water because of the added reflections, and maybe other factors.

[Edited on 10-6-2007 by Airborne]

hi im new to body boarding to i did 3 yrs ondsurfing still do now but i thought of taking up body boarding for fun and i less to carry if im traveling!! i wear a shortie wetsuit and i also have a dropzone chaoz
the newest dropzone body board out!! orderd specialist who i spoke to on the phone i gave my weight and my height and he recommened this board for me he also gave me the tip of wearing flippers for the bodyboarding and im still no good but its practice that makes you get good!!

if anyone wants to know the number of the body board specialist i called just hola i would be glad to help!!

from

sPaNneRDude

im planning on getting some tech 2 fins when i go down to newquay to make sure i get a good fit. what shop is best in newquay for bodyboarders? ive been reading the threesixty manual and im after some of them bodyglove flipper slippers does any1 know where i can get some off these and some bodyboard wax?

hI try boad board hq in poltreth (between gwithin and perrenporth) ask for dave good advice loads of boards and bits 01209844806 he set me and my girlfriend up great.Hope it helps .dai

Hi there!

No offence meant to Airbourne but, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Alder boards - In fact my Alder Assassin board is better then most £70-80 boards on the market!! I've just replaced a load of gear ready for my pilgrimage to Cornwall in August.

Unless you are thinking pf going pro I wouldn't recommend spending stupid money on a board. The Alder Assassin is a fina bit of kit for the money and with it's PE core it'll take some stick. If your gonna spend the money on Tech2 Fins I'd go for the POD2 as they are a better fin!!

Speak to Dave at Bodyboard HQ and he will see you right - he knows his sh*t and is a really cool guy. Check out the website for prices.

www.bodyboardhq.co.uk

Two bit's of advice - don't buy Morey Mach's from Ebay as they are made under license in China and a cheap foam. Also if you have got your heart set on T2 fins again don't ebay it!!

[Edited on 30-6-2007 by Minty77]

quote:

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Originally posted by Minty77
No offence meant to Airbourne but, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Alder boards - In fact my Alder Assassin board is better then most £70-80 boards on the market

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