Compare
to a lot of other sports, surfing isn't too high cost, and unlike a lot
of other sports you can choose to be very individualistic or surf reguraly
with mates or a club. Many come, many leave and many return to the art
of surfing. So when choosing your equiptment be informed, be satisfied
and choose it to be suitable to your wants and needs in the direction
you wish to take your surfing. These surfing tips to buying your first
surfboard, should help you choose your first surfboard with a greater
certainty that you are choosing the right surf board.
1.CHOOSING YOUR FIRST SURFBOARD:
Buy
a 2nd hand surfboard. Surfboards that are suitable for beginners are always
in demand, They will hold their price if kept in reasonable condition.
Generally you'll want it for about 6-8 months before you are reday to
upgrade to something a bit more suited to your surfing ability.The point
is keep the budget in check. Don't be too concerned over condition at
this point. It's not a fashion accessory it's a tool.
2.
LENGTH OF YOUR SURF BOARD
Choosing you first surfboards length can be determined
sometimes by what's available in a budget price. Try and go for something
in the range of 16- 20 inches longer than yourself. It's a strange thing
but the more length of board you have in the water, within reason, the
easier it is to paddle. This is because their is more foam underneath
you but also you are more balanced on the board making for less dead weight.
When starting your on your surfing lessons you don't want to be hindered
by a lack of flotation , you want to be catching as many waves as you
can, and until your your arms develop their paddling strength, you need
all the flotation you can get, and help to keep you motivated.
3.
THICKNESS OF YOUR SURFBOARD
Like the length and width thickness means flotation.
By now i think you'll be getting the picture that when buying your first
surfboard, choose a board that will be easy to paddle, maximising your
chances of catching waves. For thickness this means a surfboard with about
2 and a half inches of foam. Its thickest point should be near the halfway
point of your surfboard.
4.
WIDTH OF YOUR SURFBOARD
Most
modern surfboard widths these days are around the 18 to 19 inches. Choose
something more towards 19 inches. It'll give more stability and will be
a lot easier to sit on while waiting for a wave, and like the extra length
it too will aid in the paddling department. The waves you'll be practicing
in will be fairly small most likely in the one to three foot range, and
as a beginner you'll stand heavy on your board, so a bit of width will
give you a more feeling under foot. and the chance of 'bogging down' will
be reduced.
5.
OUTLINE OF YOUR SURFBOARD
The widest point of a surfboard is usually found
just forward of the centre point and then running back towards the tail
for about 3 inches. By increasing the width of the nose of a surfboard
you will aid it in paddling. Shapers use this trick to hide a little extra
foam in a surfboard. This has the effect of drawing the plan shape or
outline out, so the widest point will be a little longer. Measure back
from the tip of the nose 12 inches or 300 mm and if the measurement is
around eleven and a half inces to twelve inches then this is quite a good
width nose and should paddle easy.For the beginner surfer a board whose
nose seems a little wide is better. Now measure 12 inches back up from
the tail along the stringer. Measure across the surfboard at right angles.
If it reads something around 14 inches that'll be good. At this stage
i wouldn't be too worried about the actual shape of the tail but a rounded
square or round tail is probably the most suitable.
SUMMARY
Buy
a used surfboard your height plus 16 to 20 inches, around two and a half
inches thick by 19 inches wide, a fullish nose and a nice rounded tail
shape. This spells smoothness and ease of paddle. Just what the doctor
ordered.
6.
SURF BOARD ACCESSORIES
choose a good legrope with swivel. The waves you
are riding are small so just a light weight, small surf leggie will do.
The swivel helps keep the legrope itself from twisting up after wiping
out. Also a legrope that can detach easily from your surfboard plug via
the velcro is better than having to thread the whole leggie through the
anchor rope. Deck grips and nose gaurds are not necessary. They don't
offer much, especially for the beginner. Save the money.
7.
WAX
Surf
board wax easily collects sand and dirt and can make it soapy and lose
its traction. Never over wax your board as this just creates more weight
and more dirt. Buy a wax comb to clean off excess wax and to roughen up
the existing wax on your board, so as to give it more traction. To help
avoid getting rash use a soft wax, but board rash is something even the
veteren surfer gets. If you wear a rash vest or wetsuit or even just a
't'shirt with a knot tied in its back, you will find it will help prevent
getting a rash in the first place. I like a wax that seems a bit chewy,
but don't eat it, it tastes bad. A summer wax is good all year round in
most places. Only wax the areas you need, a light wax on the nose area
is ok, but if you wax to far down along the rails it will create drag.
Start your waxing from the legrope plug and go through to the chest area..
8.
WETSUITS
There
are so many wetsuits and brands on the market these days, and what you
wear depends so much on your location, what seaon you are in and what
is your preference.Your local surf shops are the best to guide you here,
they are unlikely to stock inappropriate styles for your area. Wetsuits
come in a range of styles. The 'Short John', sleeveless but with short
pants. The 'Spring suit', which come in long or short sleeves, both with
short pants. The 'Steamer', comes in sleeveless, short sleeved and long
sleeved, and for some yuo can get an attatchable hood. Also there are
booties, gloves, rash vests and just wetsuit pants. So much. So when choosing
have a look around at what others are wearing. Never buy on price alone,
quality can vary and what you want is quality and fit, if looked after
it will last many years, so it's a good investment and will give you more
surf time in the water. Always try and rinse it in fresh water after every
surf. When trying on a wetsuit it should fit firm but too tight. Move
your arms and squat up and down a few times and feel how stiff or loose
it feels. It's true that once wet it will loosen up a bit more, but never
buy one that feels a bit tight, it'll only give you a rash. Under the
arms and the top of the leg joints are the areas most prone to rash. If
you are getting a rash in these areas use a little vaseline, but never
use it on any gut rash, you'll be sliding all over your surfboard. Make
sure when you trying a wetsuit on there are no gaping air pockets in it.
It should fit your body nicely and not allow the cold water to be caught
inside. Wetsuits that have seams cutting under your arm sockets should
also be avoided. They'll give you rash. All seams should be either a flatlock
seam or a fluid weld seam. Also if you wear a rash vest under your wetsuit
it will help with avoiding rash. .
Some
great stuff at this link can be found here improving
your surfing.
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