Wes
A Force-of-Nature *  
I Love Men in Uniforms!
Member #: 198 Posts 198
Registered: 27-4-2003 Location: Bath Member Is Offline Mood: Wanting SW winds!
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| posted on 12-2-2004 at 12:37 |
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Choosing a first board
1) I can't surf.
2) I can't very often get to a surf venue
3) Its probably a complete waste of money
So - I was looking to buy a surfboard in the near future!
Any advice on sizes to get for a first board I weigh in at 80kg (if thats at all relavant) - I would prefere to struggle at first and
have something to keep hold of rather than get the surfing equivalent of a Starboard Start. Hunting around I saw the bic boards at
about £250. Any good? Should I be looking second hand?
Help..............
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Thodd
A Force-of-Nature *
Most active Body-boarder 2004
Member #: 446 Posts 278
Registered: 14-11-2003 Location: Manchester Member Is Offline Mood: itchin to get wet!!!
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| posted on 12-2-2004 at 12:57 |
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Hi wes,
I won't claim to know lots about surf boards as I don't but i'm considering buying one soon as well, (i'm still enjoying the boogie
boarding too much)
Anyway the surfers that I spoken to about this have all said... don't buy a bic, buy a second hand custom minimal. You'll get a better
board for around the same price.
If anyone knows any different please correct me as i'm "in the dark" as well!
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justal
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| posted on 12-2-2004 at 19:44 |
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Yeah, I'd agree with that. The Bics are OK but they aren't 'performance' boards. They'll get you up and going easily enough and will
last a lifetime as they are much more durable than a custom, but they don't actually surf that well once you can do it.
Look for a 7'6" minimal or something around that size I should imagine.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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SinistaPenguin
Pro 
Member #: 359 Posts 122
Registered: 9-9-2003 Location: Leamington, Midlands Member Is Offline Mood: Getting less surf than my avat
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| posted on 2-3-2004 at 14:47 |
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There's only one problem with trying to get a second hand mini-mal...
...they are kind of like the proverbial 'rocking horse ****'. The problem is that people who have them tend to hang on to them, so
getting one that's in good condition for a reasonable price can be difficult, especially as you head into the 'tourist' season.
That said, it is definitely the right kind of board to go for. I bought a brand new one (7'5) from Fistral Surf Co for £299 - it's
not what you'd call a well known brand (escape), but then it looks nice, it's the perfect shape for me and anyway it's how much fun you
have that really counts.
I would definitely look around. I did find a second hand one for my brother in law last year for £260 and it's immaculate (it took a
week of searching every shop in Newquay every day and it only appeared that morning!)
Seek and ye shall find. The most important thing is that you hang in and get one that has:
a) no obvious cracks in the glass
b) no 'yellow' foam - this means there is a leak in the glass and the foam is rotting
c) I would check the tail and around the fins for bad repairs (repairs are OK as long as they are done well!)
Hope this lot helps
Sinista
"...that's just the lemon next to the pie..."
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justal
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| posted on 6-3-2004 at 08:15 |
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quote:
Originally posted by SinistaPenguin
There's only one problem with trying to get a second hand mini-mal...
...they are kind of like the proverbial 'rocking horse ****'. The problem is that people who have them tend to hang on to them, so
getting one that's in good condition for a reasonable price can be difficult, especially as you head into the 'tourist' season.
Take a look in the classifieds on this site... The latest two ads are for 7'6" minimals!!
The first is
quote:
7'6" x 21 3/4 minimal, shaped by Rogo, 3 fins + second skin board bag + Bulldog Leash + bulldog soft roof rack/straps. Hardly used, no
dings or repairs. First to see will buy £200 o.n.o
The next is
quote:
NSP 7'6" Egg minimal V.tough epoxy construction . Bought new last summer VGC. with leash. Great addition to a quiver that'll last for
years..£185
Could be a bargain for you there Wes, let us know if you get one.. There are quite a few other minimals on there as well, but I don't
know if they are still for sale.
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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Gibi
Member
Member #: 519 Posts 1
Registered: 26-1-2004 Location: Aus Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 6-3-2004 at 11:22 |
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bics
IMHO bics are good beginners boards for someone who will not get into the water that much, if you are not surfing at least once a week
then a bic will do fine. Another bonus is that they are really easy to get rid of second hand - they are always in demand and they are
virtually indestructible so they hold their resell value.
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Wes
A Force-of-Nature *
I Love Men in Uniforms!
Member #: 198 Posts 198
Registered: 27-4-2003 Location: Bath Member Is Offline Mood: Wanting SW winds!
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| posted on 8-3-2004 at 12:04 |
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Alas moving house has about cleaned the old bank account out. Now I need a couple of paydays before I can buy
Cheers for all the advice though guys.
Wes
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk