Hi

I am hoping to get some advice re buying a longboard.

I've got a 7ft McCoy which I want to trade. I haven't surfed for 13 years until recently, and I've had trouble catching waves on it!

I went to WICKS in Collaroy, who recommended a Modern Longboard (which I've heard are crap), then to Dripping Wet Manly (who recommended their own brand, Dripping Wet, which I am not keen on) and then to Dripping Wet Bondi who almost sold me a Na Papa 9ft, but after reading reviews online about Na Papa and think it would be a bad move to get one of those.

I've looked on Gumtree and there are heaps on there - however, I don't know what I need! I feel I need to be guided by an expert in a surf shop! But then they do the big sales pitch! I guess I take a risk.

WHAT I WANT: I want to be able to catch waves easily, and to move around the wave and carve a bit. I don't want to be limited to surfing a wave in a straight line.

Any advice, recommendations, shops to go to (in Sydney - Eastern or Northern) would be great.

Cheers!

Goto a local shaper and tell them the above story.

chances are they'll trade your McCoy and get you a sweet new board.

Its sad when you hear the advice these stores are giving,at least your smart and didn't listen to the crap,chances the people serving you don't ride longboards.You will need to give us some info,your weight, height and fitness level before anybody can give you advice.From want you have mentioned a good all rounder is required,fin box with side bites.9.1 to 9.6 in length but volume is the key,I say this lengths because they are true longboard lengths and not too small or too big to handle.

Mac, any brand of longboard you recommend ?

The local shaper idea is a good one, it sounds like you're not too far from the northern beaches so there's a lot to choose from.

I saw a very good long boarder I've known for a long time this afternoon on a new board, he was really going well, it was from a local shaper, his boards are called DB (I think). I know he has a shop somewhere at the Pitwater road end of Mitchell road.

Another option is Soul Surf Design up in Mona Vale, I was at his shop on Sunday and he was taking delivery of about 10 second hand boards that he was selling on consignment. They were all really good brands, no knockoffs, taks, Beckhams, MacTs, etcetera.

He's also got a lot of his own new boards in stock, tell him Hugo sent you

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NewScotty said..

Mac, any brand of longboard you recommend ?

I wouldn't have a clue mate but anything with an M logo has me on edge

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62mac said..

NewScotty said..

Mac, any brand of longboard you recommend ?

I wouldn't have a clue mate but anything with an M logo has me on edge

Sydney Beachies - can't go past an McTavish Original.


Why...?;
About 12 years ago, I bought one... Then proceeded to buy shorter boards. 7'0 Merrick Single Fin. 6'6 Keyo Egg. 6'6 Merrick Single Fin (G1 and G2 Models). 6'6 Black Beauty. 6'3 Merrick Flyer...

The most fun of them all, was The Original... Sucky waves, it's great. Flat weak waves, it's great too... I surfed everyday, and The Original is awesome, and versatile.

EvoII is more common these days, and is a very similar board. Also very versatile.

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Also, so many great shapers on The Northern Beaches (The Insular Peninsula! )

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Simondo said..

Sydney Beachies - can't go past an McTavish Original.


Why...?;
About 12 years ago, I bought one... Then proceeded to buy shorter boards. 7'0 Merrick Single Fin. 6'6 Keyo Egg. 6'6 Merrick Single Fin (G1 and G2 Models). 6'6 Black Beauty. 6'3 Merrick Flyer...

The most fun of them all, was The Original... Sucky waves, it's great. Flat weak waves, it's great too... I surfed everyday, and The Original is awesome, and versatile.

EvoII is more common these days, and is a very similar board. Also very versatile.

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Also, so many great shapers on The Northern Beaches (The Insular Peninsula! )

Couldn't agree more. You can move from rail to rail, catch heaps of waves and still nose ride. Happy Daze!!!!!
A shame about local shops only promoting Chinese made boards, I suppose, they do make a higher margin on them, than the local made product.

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mrsburnsie said..

Hi

I am hoping to get some advice re buying a longboard.

I've got a 7ft McCoy which I want to trade. I haven't surfed for 13 years until recently, and I've had trouble catching waves on it!

I went to WICKS in Collaroy, who recommended a Modern Longboard (which I've heard are crap), then to Dripping Wet Manly (who recommended their own brand, Dripping Wet, which I am not keen on) and then to Dripping Wet Bondi who almost sold me a Na Papa 9ft, but after reading reviews online about Na Papa and think it would be a bad move to get one of those.

I've looked on Gumtree and there are heaps on there - however, I don't know what I need! I feel I need to be guided by an expert in a surf shop! But then they do the big sales pitch! I guess I take a risk.

WHAT I WANT: I want to be able to catch waves easily, and to move around the wave and carve a bit. I don't want to be limited to surfing a wave in a straight line.

Any advice, recommendations, shops to go to (in Sydney - Eastern or Northern) would be great.

Cheers!

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JOYRIDER said..

Goto a local shaper and tell them the above story.

chances are they'll trade your McCoy and get you a sweet new board.

Some surf shops push the imported boards because the profit margin for them is better than a local board without the bigger dollar outlay so I agree with Joyrider..go talk to a local shaper..he can make a board to suit your weight/height etc as well as the type of surf you want to ride..I've had a lot of boards off the rack, including McCoys (which are great) but the best has been a local custom..thanks Duck

I believe O'Donnell still shapes out of the Bennett shop, there's Wilde in Mona Vale they're the two local shapers I'd recommend. There's another bloke out of the shire who's name I've spaced at the moment think the logo is "SM"

Personally I ride a Clear Water and so does the missus

You would get something decent at Bennett's if you were looking at buying local.