Hey Guys,

I have been learning on a 7'10 mini mal and I am loving it, what would be a good first longboard ? I am 1.82m tall and weight about 82kgs, surf in SA and in waves from 1-4 feet high. Is any board good or should I be looking for something specific ?

There are so many options.

What's the budget? Tufflite is a potential option for continuing to learn... Your first Longboard will probably get knocked around a bit. Tufflite is durable.

Walden Magic and McTavish Fireball or Original are good starting points.

Hi McHenry,

Welcome.

How old are you ? And why do you want a longboard. (flame suit on). If your having fun on the Mini-Mal there may not be any nood to change. A shorter board will give you more challenge and performance. An 8fter (eightball or uf8 are good options) will give you a similar board. Depends on what you are looking for.

Regardless what your on, it's all good fun.

Hey Daneli,

I'm 28, and I'm from Canada and only get to go only one day a week. I havent grown up around the ocean and just dont think I will have the time to get to the point of riding a shortboard. Just thought it may be fun to try a longboard. I also only surf in SA and where i usually surf the waves are usually around1-3 feet so a shortboard can be a little small for most days.

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Daneli said...

Hi McHenry,

Welcome.

eightball or uf8 are good options

Nail on the head Daneli ...... or get yourself a Munro, can't go wrong with either mate

Well what do you guys think for something to ride a bit shorter and livlier? Do you guys think coming down from a mini mal I should go for like an egg shape? The reality of it is I will never be a great surfer, just looking for something to maximize the time I have in the water. I love the retro shapes, never want to ride an eye gouger. Any suggestions ?

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McHenry said...

Well what do you guys think for something to ride a bit shorter and livlier? Do you guys think coming down from a mini mal I should go for like an egg shape? The reality of it is I will never be a great surfer, just looking for something to maximize the time I have in the water. I love the retro shapes, never want to ride an eye gouger. Any suggestions ?

I'm in a similar situation as to you. I did not grow up surfing and started windsurfing in my early 20s. I loove WSing and after moving to Perth I started surfing. My first board was an 8'' minimal from Strapper which i've had heaps of fun on, bot her locally, down sout and up at the Gspot. After this this I bough a 7'' McT fish and quickly realised that the step down was too quick. I'd ofter sit around in the lineup and paddle, paddle but still not catch any waves. Last season I bought a long board and use it locally. I often try and get out before work and this board has given me soo much more surfing time on the water.

The latest addition is a Takayama egg 7''6' and this seems to be a great board. I had it out twice and I catch waves, I can stand up and have fun (more fun than on my McT Fish).

Anyhoo - my point is that I found it a waster of time stepping down to a short board too soon. I suggest that you look into getting an egg. The Takayama works for me but there are heaps of toher out there!

Let us know how you go!

Does anyone want to buy my McT Fish?

Also remember as you are still in learning phase you dont necessarily need the bees knees of boards. Get onto ebay get a good 2nd hand board, like Simondo said you will crunch it a few times anyway.

I would strongly recommending staying will clear of retro boards at this stage,to ride one and to ride one well is a different matter,stick to the basic's imho.