Gettin a surfboard for my birthday?

Question

I'm thinking of getting a surfboard for my 21st. I've been surfing a couple of times, so I'm still pretty much a beginner. I found a Bic Malibu surfboard on ebay for a nice price. I heard someone say, though, that Bic boards aren't good.

Anyone who knows a bit, is this true? Does it matter? Should I get the Bic, or look for a different brand.

And any recommendations another brand that won't be too expensive?

Thanks

Answer 1

If you are a beginner, lessons are usually the best way to start, unless you have lots of pals who surf who can teach you. Go to a real surf shop. The folks there can hook you up with lessons, and even rent you a board to learn on. Don't rush into buying anything, until you have had a few lessons and decide that surfing is really something you want to stick with. Please don't waste your money buying something on line. When you are ready to buy, rent or borrow a variety of different style boards to see what suits you best. Try before you buy, a surfboard is a big investment.



Maybe a gift certificate for some lessons and board rental would make a better birthday gift that a board that may not be the right one for you. Bics are junk popouts, but I will say this for them, they are incredibly durable, and they are not made in sweat shops in China. But, I still don't recoomend any popouts, ever. There are way too many decent boards on the market.



There is still no 'one size fits all' answer. Before anybody could even come close to suggesting a board for you, your weight, skill level, local wave conditions and how much you can afford to spend are all factors to be considered.



Be careful of what you read here on line. There are lots of really well meaning young folks who have neat answers about surfing, but at 56, I tend to classify anyone under 25 as a kid. After I found this site, I figured that I could answer a few questions, and spread the 'good news' of surfing. After you master the ocean, get your REAL advice from a surf shop, where industry professionals earn their rent money selling surfboards. However, if they think you are just a 'kook' tourist out to rent a board, you won't necessarily get the best attention.



There are way too many people who "surf' who have zero water skills, and are dangerous to themselves and other surfers. I see at least one or two every time I surf at a crowded break. Don't join their ranks. If you want to surf. do it right.



Most people learn best on long boards, although I have seen lots of surfers start on a short board and master it. In the long run, there are NO RULES on what type of board you have to learn on. Long boards are ideal for learners. There are also good intermediate length boards to learn on, funshapes, mini-mals and some hybrids. So, as you see there are a lot of choices out there, and lot depends on what your skill level is right now.



THE REAL BOTTOM LINE IS: Go to a Surf Shop, not a computer. The pros there can give you the right answers!!



Good luck. Once you try surfing (and learn the 'right way') you'll have fun for life. I have been surfing since 1966.



Take the time to check out the links, especially "No Popouts"

http://www.surfingforlife.com/history.ht...

http://www.mckevlins.com/nopopstory.htm

http://360guide.info/surfing/surfboard



Happy 21st Birthday!

Answer 2

Happy Birthday!



It's true, Bic boards are miserable. It's down right hard to find someone who will say something non-negative about them.



I also suggest staying away from ebay. Even if the board is perfect, chances are the mail will kill it.



Craig's list is a great way to find cheap good learner boards. Look over the board the best you can. Watch for dings, cracks, discoloration, and definitely stickers (stickers hide damage).



Surf shops are great, but lots of places don't have surf shops, or REAL surf shops. Lots of places will sell you an expensive board. Not a lot of places will direct you to the right board for you. And as a beginner, I'd stick to a fun board, a wide fish, or even a hybrid.



I'd really push you toward a fun board that measures over your height. You can ride anything on a fun, and they make it easy.



Check out this link if you want to do some reading.



http://www.endlesslope.com/surf_board_guide.htm

Answer 3

Look for a different board. You can buy handmade used boards at a surf shop at a pretty decent price. Sometimes the shop owner has boards on consignment and you can make an offer. Since you were interested in the malibu, buy a funboard, or mini mal. You'll won't grow out of them. Just an addition to your quiver to use on flat days.

Answer 4

ok. bic boards are NOT good. they are pop outs. plastic boards that are mass produced. john f has a nice list of pop out boards. any way, never ever buy a board from e bay. no matter how tempting it may seem. for good boards, go to a surf shop. always buy your board in person. when you go to the surf shop, tell the guys that you want a board and you are a beginner. tell them that you do not want a pop out. they will get you the right board for your skill level and the breaks at your beach. hope this helps. have fun surfing!

Answer 5

So your starting surfing. Alot of people Knock on pop outs. I could care less. I own a couple of them. High performance longboards. Ya they don't have the same flex as a foam and fiberglass but they still ride great. They float great, cheap, DO NOT delam and if you get water in them all you have to do is poke a hole in the bottom and let it drain for a day. Unlike a foam and fiberglass, you have to cut out the fiberglass, let it sit for along time (couple of days) to let the water DRY up. By the way have you ever fixed a foam and fiberglass board? Well FYI, if not, you will pay a bunch for someone to fix it for you.



Don't get me wrong, some of the best boards i have owned were foam and fiberglass. Just putting my 2 cents in, don't want you to get a $600 board and a couple of months later it turns brown and the deck is delamed.



Good luck

Answer 6

Check your local craigslist and if you can usually find a really good deal on a used boad. Contact the person and you can go check out the board personally and make sure it is in good condition. As some of the others have said...NEVER buy a board online sight unseen. You also never want to buy new for your first board because, chances are, you are going to beat it up.



Good luck, I have found some GREAT deals on boards from craigslist.

Answer 7

its like buying a 6 year old $200 shoes...they grow out of them in 2 months... ur going to grow out of your first board quickly and probably put a lotta dings in it. so I'd just get something cheapy. meaning under $200, and yellow as hell ;)



as you get better you're going to want to ride something smaller and faster and what not..so I'd just get something else for your Bday, and drop as little cash as you can on a board. GO check a local surf shop for used boards, or craigslist.



and Screw popouts. dont support it. it makes it harder for shapers to spend the time on shaping boards.



Happy bday buddy!

Answer 8

so short boards are harder to ride than longboards, but longboards are more expensive, i'd recommend a boysen/sb surfboards board, cause they're all on sale for 500$ and they are reallly good. i'd go with the pic, or the big hit, http://www.sbsurfboards.com/boards/pic/

if you want a longer, foam board, go with a int board, http://www.intsoftboards.com/



or, nevermind, i forgot

but those are the good short, hardboards, and long, softboards

Answer 9

all i know is my friend had a bic board and it broke when he was standing on it wen it was on his drive way for dumb reason and it crack throw the middle i don't know if that helps or not;)

Answer 10

Just get a doyle until you get good enough to get a shortboard. They are cheap and you don't have to wax them.