Hey legends, which of these options would you suggest for a first hard board? Am 6"4 and 72kg. Quite athletic from a lot of running/climbing/cycling but looking forward to getting paddle fit.

Absolute newb but can stand up consistently, just not turning yet. So far have surfed gentle point and reef breaks on a borrowed misc 8'8" PU board.Not going custom rn as I don't wanna look like more of a kook than I am.

Have been hanging out for second-hand boards but there's not much coming up in our Australian summer.

Options are:

(Epoxy) NSP elements longboard 8'6" x 22 1/4" x 2 7/8" 64.40L (seems safe and a bit boring but fins are included) can get this for $839 to my door with fins

(PU) Free Flight Coaster 8'0 x 22 1/2, 3 - 61L (also an 8'6" at 65.7L) is 6 + 4oz Deck / 6oz Bottom (like the idea of this as it looks nice with the double stringer but might be a bit fragile for my first board?) can get this for $774 to my door without fins

(Epoxy) Island Drifter EPS 8'0 X 22 1/2 x 2 7/8 60L, 8'0, Blue (is this pretty similar to the epoxy construction of the NSP, feels a bit better supporting local brand importing popouts?) can get this for $635.99 to my door without fins

Any advice appreciated!

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gromby said..
Hey legends, which of these options would you suggest for a first hard board? Am 6"4 and 72kg. Quite athletic from a lot of running/climbing/cycling but looking forward to getting paddle fit.

Absolute newb but can stand up consistently, just not turning yet. So far have surfed gentle point and reef breaks on a borrowed misc 8'8" PU board.Not going custom rn as I don't wanna look like more of a kook than I am.

Have been hanging out for second-hand boards but there's not much coming up in our Australian summer.

Options are:

(Epoxy) NSP elements longboard 8'6" x 22 1/4" x 2 7/8" 64.40L (seems safe and a bit boring but fins are included) can get this for $839 to my door with fins

(PU) Free Flight Coaster 8'0 x 22 1/2, 3 - 61L (also an 8'6" at 65.7L) is 6 + 4oz Deck / 6oz Bottom (like the idea of this as it looks nice with the double stringer but might be a bit fragile for my first board?) can get this for $774 to my door without fins

(Epoxy) Island Drifter EPS 8'0 X 22 1/2 x 2 7/8 60L, 8'0, Blue (is this pretty similar to the epoxy construction of the NSP, feels a bit better supporting local brand importing popouts?) can get this for $635.99 to my door without fins

Any advice appreciated!

Dont buy any that r made in china inferior rubbish

Based on your not turning yet & your weight. I'd recommend a 7 or 8 foot softop board. Ypu really can't beat them to learn on & heaps of very experienced surfers ride them all the time through summer for fun. Go the 7 for suckier/steeper/dumper waves or the 8 for fatter/crumbly/rolling/reforming waves. With your weight & athletism you could easily go shorter than 7 provided the waves have enough push. Like if you live in WA or South of Brisbane (generally speaking). Shorter boards are easier to turn & takeoff on steeper faster breaking waves. Longer boards are just easier in the very beginning when your learning to stand up. Ypu could get a really good softop with excellent resale value for a lot less than your prepared to spend.

haha & +1 to last suppers comment. I was going to say the same but held back. Last time I bagged someones product someone complained

Out of those three the free flight.

At least It is designed by a known shaper and made in a decent factory.

Designed by Phil Myers, Aussie. and pretty sure made In indo by a kiwi fella that has set up a shop there.

But a good foamy would help you along as Mick said.

Thanks for the response Mick. And yeah LastSupper, was waiting for that response. Not sure I agree that everything made in China is rubbish but do appreciate local knowledge and not importing products.Figured if I was supporting pop outs, I should be trying to buy one from a company that still make boards in Aust as well. Then I'm soooorta supporting the right thing.

Eventually if I get better I can look at something custom. Cheap products do still allow an entry point into a sport for people who might not have the money to otherwise take the leap. Ideally I'd buy secondhand but there hasn't been much suitable in the past two months. Anyway, my mates and gf who surf reckon I'm beyond a foamie. So was kind of going on that. And those were the options I came up with. I live in Vic and have regular access to houses in Jan Juc and Barwon Heads from pals/family. Would be Addis/Torquay/13th etc. Was at Cat Bay the other day and that was pretty ideal.

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SP said..
Out of those three the free flight.

At least It is designed by a known shaper and made in a decent factory.

Designed by Phil Myers, Aussie. and pretty sure made In indo by a kiwi fella that has set up a shop there.

But a good foamy would help you along as Mick said.

Yeah that is def a draw card. Thanks mate.

As someone who lives in SA our pool of used boards is poor. So my advice to you would be get on Gumtree and search under surfboard but look Australia wide. If you are in Melbourne you should be able to get it delivered through e-go.com.au for about $100 dollars. They do a few different options. IF youre around one of their depots you can pick it up from them which reduces cost. You just need to convince the seller to bubble wrap it and box it up. I usually ofer them some extra cash to bubble wrap and box it up etc etc. Then you can have a look at boards from all over Australia.

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McHenry said..
As someone who lives in SA our pool of used boards is poor. So my advice to you would be get on Gumtree and search under surfboard but look Australia wide. If you are in Melbourne you should be able to get it delivered through e-go.com.au for about $100 dollars. They do a few different options. IF youre around one of their depots you can pick it up from them which reduces cost. You just need to convince the seller to bubble wrap it and box it up. I usually ofer them some extra cash to bubble wrap and box it up etc etc. Then you can have a look at boards from all over Australia.

Thanks! Great idea. e-go are often used for bikes too, forgot about that.

Other than WA or Maybe up Northern Queensland shipping is usually pretty good.

I done a .......few boards.

Not leaning towards a foamie, but what do ya'll think of the Drag boards? Like the Drag Coffin 7/8 foot. Would these be difficult to get out the back?

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gromby said..
Thanks for the response Mick. And yeah LastSupper, was waiting for that response. Not sure I agree that everything made in China is rubbish but do appreciate local knowledge and not importing products.Figured if I was supporting pop outs, I should be trying to buy one from a company that still make boards in Aust as well. Then I'm soooorta supporting the right thing.

Eventually if I get better I can look at something custom. Cheap products do still allow an entry point into a sport for people who might not have the money to otherwise take the leap. Ideally I'd buy secondhand but there hasn't been much suitable in the past two months. Anyway, my mates and gf who surf reckon I'm beyond a foamie. So was kind of going on that. And those were the options I came up with. I live in Vic and have regular access to houses in Jan Juc and Barwon Heads from pals/family. Would be Addis/Torquay/13th etc. Was at Cat Bay the other day and that was pretty ideal.

Mate if you was at cat bay then did you go look in the local shops also plenty around the west coast rax of boards everywhere

Nice Ash Ward mid length for sale on GT out of the Clearwater Surfshop on the Goldy

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McHenry said..
Nice Ash Ward mid length for sale on GT out of the Clearwater Surfshop on the Goldy

Yeah not bad thanks. Might be a bit on the slim side from what I've been told. But could be an option cheers. Good boards on their listings too.

Did have a look out at shops in PI and didn't find anything suitable. Will keep looking when I'm down the coast though. Dude at Zak's also said mids and longboards atm are selling before they can even get the wax off them.

Yeah just have a good look on GT and you'll find something

I agree with the width, you probably was 23 ish x 3ish

E GO....no GO! They destroyed an OuterIsland I sent to Vicco.The guy who bought it was amazed with the damage considering the packing that I did.

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wavemaniac said..
E GO....no GO! They destroyed an OuterIsland I sent to Vicco.The guy who bought it was amazed with the damage considering the packing that I did.

That sucks dude. Yeah OK ideally I do hope to find something local. Have set up some ebay and gummy alerts. Will keep checking the shops tho for second handys.

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McHenry said..
As someone who lives in SA our pool of used boards is poor. So my advice to you would be get on Gumtree and search under surfboard but look Australia wide. If you are in Melbourne you should be able to get it delivered through e-go.com.au for about $100 dollars. They do a few different options. IF youre around one of their depots you can pick it up from them which reduces cost. You just need to convince the seller to bubble wrap it and box it up. I usually ofer them some extra cash to bubble wrap and box it up etc etc. Then you can have a look at boards from all over Australia.

Dave,

E-Go no longer freight surfboards due to so many damage claims.

Kayakcourier
Richard Wickaire
0414 889 499
If it's not packaged properly he will put it in a bag.
Door to door service.
Don't **** him about on price

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surfanimal said..

McHenry said..
As someone who lives in SA our pool of used boards is poor. So my advice to you would be get on Gumtree and search under surfboard but look Australia wide. If you are in Melbourne you should be able to get it delivered through e-go.com.au for about $100 dollars. They do a few different options. IF youre around one of their depots you can pick it up from them which reduces cost. You just need to convince the seller to bubble wrap it and box it up. I usually ofer them some extra cash to bubble wrap and box it up etc etc. Then you can have a look at boards from all over Australia.

Dave,

E-Go no longer freight surfboards due to so many damage claims.

If they stopped picking them up with a fork lift they'd probably have no problem.

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Nozza said..
Kayakcourier
Richard Wickaire
0414 889 499
If it's not packaged properly he will put it in a bag.
Door to door service.
Don't **** him about on price

I will second Kayakcourier.
He's an awesome guy and awesome service!

Stretch your budget and get this

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McHenry said..
Stretch your budget and get this

I am selling an 8ft x23x3 Clearwater macca model with a set of shapers AM spectrum fins for 750...board is 93.5/100

First time advertised...yes Laurie I will buy you a beer

Thanks, that Miller is a beauty. I actually just went and picked up a board. DVS all rounder with fin, leash and cover for 800. It's 9 x 22 x 3 and nearly 67 litres. In mint condition, not a mark on it. The owner said he surfed it once at Urbnsurf but is regretfully getting out of surfing due to a shoulder injury.If it's too performance I can always sell it for the same price I reckon.

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chrispy said..

McHenry said..
Stretch your budget and get this

I am selling an 8ft x23x3 Clearwater macca model with a set of shapers AM spectrum fins for 750...board is 93.5/100

First time advertised...yes Laurie I will buy you a beer

Damn that sounds like it would have been very suitable. Perhaps better than what I ended up with. Appreciate the offer though, cheers.

Am heading up the coast this weekend, will see how I go on the DVS.

Solely that this a longboard forum

At your weight 8.0 a 9.1 both performance then a 9.6 single fin.

signed armchair expert

Get that DVS and if you don't like it I'll buy it off ya

Saw it on GT, looks amazing

Ha you're an eagle eye on gummy. Yeah seller was a nice dude. Board looks new. Fin apparently OK too. Stoked. Will see how it goes on Saturday and Sunday. Well, see how I go more like it.

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gromby said..

chrispy said..

McHenry said..
Stretch your budget and get this

I am selling an 8ft x23x3 Clearwater macca model with a set of shapers AM spectrum fins for 750...board is 93.5/100

First time advertised...yes Laurie I will buy you a beer

Damn that sounds like it would have been very suitable. Perhaps better than what I ended up with. Appreciate the offer though, cheers.

Am heading up the coast this weekend, will see how I go on the DVS.

That is a cracking score mate...

The only time I would ever say that I would love to ride a dick...he makes epic boards and is a rad human

Cuttlefish loves the dick as well,and has owned a few ...never says a bad word about them

Again ,what a great score...enjoy

Wonder how dear ole Gromby got on with his DVS?

Take into consideration how sturdy it is and consider its material and the thickness of the deck. You may try riding on it before you purchase and determine if it is strong enough to carry you or do some tricks or cruising. This may tell you if it will last longer too.