Hi All,

I've decided that I want to get a longboard. I've only been surfing for just over a year, so still a novice!

I currently have a 8'2 GRC, which I have both enjoyed but also struggled with.

I want something with more volume and to help me catch more waves, specially when its small. I think a 9'6 would suite me?

I only have a very small budget unfortunately, so can't afford any of the great longboard brands around.

I have been looking at the Blackhawk Malibu boards from AUSurfing.
Has anyone used this make or dealt with this company before?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Here a link of the boards:
www.blackhawkoutdoor.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=43_15_27

Thanks

Welcome mate,there a good price to get started on but you get what you pay for in most cases,where are you located Weight

Thanks 62mac,

I'm based in Dee Why in Sydney and I'm 115kg!

Absolutely understand that these are not going to be even close to the quality of boards like a McTavish etc, but as I'm still a novice, I'm hesitant to lay out $1k + for a great board that I will most likey ding while I further my surfing experience!! I figure in a couple years once I'm better I will have a better idea of what I need and then can get a custom made up...

Do you think that these will be alright to carry on learning with?
Also, what do you think about the rocker on these boards, just looking at the pictures - I'm not really sure what they should be like on a longboard?!

Cheers

My daughter has one she loves it I hate it .

Like Mac says they aren't bad value for money , pretty indestructible , probably good for beginners .

I reckon give it 6-12 months you will be selling it and getting something decent like a Goddard

No worries mate,at your weight volume is vital,I'm 110 trust me I did not look at the dimensions on the link but most stock boards like that do not have the volume you require.You should be looking at a second hand board,9.6 to 10 foot x 23 or 23 plus in width x 3 1/4 plus.
The board your looking at will give you the sh-ts fast and you will hang it up and give up and that's not fun.Don't worry about a Mc mate just get a board with volume.
Must be a host of second hand boards kicking around your way,a couple of the guys in here are close bye so maybe they can advise you where to look.

did someone say ..... GODDARD

coulda been .... McTAVISH

Sneaky steal Pup

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62mac said...
Sneaky steal Pup

and Taught by the very very best Prez a reknowned pimp could have mate hahaha

Fark that was quick pup , must have had the finger on the trigger .

Mac hit the nail on the head to me riding my daughters board is boring as . I reckon the only reason she likes it is the cool graphics . It has the turning circle of the titanic .
Other problem with these boards is resale value when you are finished with it what do you do with it

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Tassiedevel said...
Fark that was quick pup , must have had the finger on the trigger .

Mac hit the nail on the head to me riding my daughters board is boring as . I reckon the only reason she likes it is the cool graphics . It has the turning circle of the titanic .
Other problem with these boards is resale value when you are finished with it what do you do with it

Well Tasman if she is happy that's what its all about.

Now you have an awesome board mate,you would be enjoying your surfing more and I'd say stepped it up,good boards help unless your a freak who can ride anything

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62mac said...
No worries mate,at your weight volume is vital,I'm 110 trust me I did not look at the dimensions on the link but most stock boards like that do not have the volume you require.You should be looking at a second hand board,9.6 to 10 foot x 23 or 23 plus in width x 3 1/4 plus.

Mac, I'm 113kg and surf a 9'1" x 22" x 2 7/8" - 66 litres volume from memory... I go OK on it. Having said that, if I was buying again I'd go for a 9'3" or 9'4" x 22 1/2" x 3" just to up the wave count in small summer fun!

I reckon a 10' would be too hard to handle for a novice... IMO only.

Some good point GPA,I based mo on it being difficult to find a board with volume unless its a custom,there's a lot of 9.6 to 10's second hand.

Your right 10 foot can be a beast to handle.

Mate you must be a fit 113 which make a massive difference to an unfit 113 so the experts tell me.

Welcome 7hatboy!!!

If you click on those boards they spit the dim's out - 23.5 * 3.25 to 3.5 most of them which will be fine for the new Greenroom member.

As the others have said you get what you pay for....those prices seem pretty fair for what you are getting and after only a year and living at Dee Why I would be surprised if you would not get at least a a good 12mths out of one of those boards.

If I could be rude and ask what sort of budget you had in mind roughly and what timeframe.....the reason being is that if you have a hunt around you will find a decent second hand board for under $500 - but can be tricky at this time of the year....although someone will be selling their old board as Santa got them a new one. I know someone who is selling a Mayerhoffer cheap if you want one. Not everyone's cup of tea but at your level as long as the volume is correct you would be fine. Alternatively there might be another option from another bloke up here for a bit more. I am in Dee Why every other week so could easily transport it down for you. I will have an ask around for you over the next few days and let you know if anything suitable is up for sale. Lots of old boys up this way have 5 or more Mals in their garage so may be able to convince one of them to move one on

there's also other very good shapers not all that far from him also - they do have second hand boards as well .... such as Creative Army , SDR & Black Apache

Thanks for the input chaps - appreciated!

The specs on those boards are: 9'6 x 23 x 3 1/2

One of the things I have been concerned with is it's turning ability as Tassledevil mentioned.

I'm stuck with what todo now! On one side I really want a bigger board to enjoy my surfing more, as in catch more waves and easier paddling, but then I also want to continue improving my ability, turning etc

I was out this evening at DY, with some lovey little 1-2ft coming through and I was struggling, but watching the guys on the longboards having a blast!!

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62mac said...
Some good point GPA,I based mo on it being difficult to find a board with volume unless its a custom,there's a lot of 9.6 to 10's second hand.

Your right 10 foot can be a beast to handle.

Mate you must be a fit 113 which make a massive difference to an unfit 113 so the experts tell me.

I keep pretty active with swimming and cycling when I am not surfing - but way too soft around the guts to be called fit. Too many old injuries flare up to go too hard on the fitness programme - but I could definitely do better (as I reach for another beer )

Thanks Ted, that would be awesome!

My budget is only $400 unfortunately. Timeframe soonish, before the wife changes her mind!

I saw that mayerhoffer on eBay, and funny enough actually had a god on my m8's the other day and really enjoyed it, but worried that it's still not going to be enough volume at 9'2 ?

Maybe I ask him if I can give it a proper try next time to see if it will be OK...

Thanks Pup,

Will check thoses shapers out!

This looks nice

JC is coming along real well , I like what he's done ... just proves what quality Aussies are shaping for us all .... great value for your buck right now mate

Looks sweet doesn't it

I wonder how the new cruiser would look in those tints.

real sweet if she comes up like that mate for sure

or this one

Interesting that one - passionfruit like ... be good to see the deck plan - nice orange would suit the Goldy look

Look on eBay,

If you are patient you can get some good deals especially this time of year, everyone is broke after chrissy and no one is buying new toys. Filter your search on ebay and it will send you emails everytime a new board pops up with your search details. Then you dont have to spend hours searching through thousands of ebay listings looking for something.

Just a thought, you should be able to get a board for $500

if you can come up with a couple more hungies i can help with a 9' 6" X 23" X3 3/8" as new, should be a gr8 stick for you. NSP coco matt.

when you've mastered the longboard, which should only take a couple of months at most, move up in the world and get your self a performance surfing sup.


i wonder how many friends i really have in here- soon find out

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sharpie said...
if you can come up with a couple more hungies i can help with a 9' 6" X 23" X3 3/8" as new, should be a gr8 stick for you. NSP coco matt.

That thing is like new isn't it - hardly been ridden Its a very nice looking board and CMC would back the technology!!!

I have sourced you a Meyerhoffer for well under your budget - PM me for the details. If you purchase this you will be doing Sharpies good mate a big favour!! Its 9'1'' but should float you nice and easily.....

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Ted the Kiwi said...

sharpie said...
if you can come up with a couple more hungies i can help with a 9' 6" X 23" X3 3/8" as new, should be a gr8 stick for you. NSP coco matt.

That thing is like new isn't it - hardly been ridden Its a very nice looking board and CMC would back the technology!!!

I have sourced you a Meyerhoffer for well under your budget - PM me for the details. If you purchase this you will be doing Sharpies good mate a big favour!! Its 9'1'' but should float you nice and easily.....

Would love to get a vaginal speculum , I mean a Myerhoffer one day just to try them out .
The theory behind them makes a lot of sense .

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laceys lane said...
when you've mastered the longboard, which should only take a couple of months at most, move up in the world and get your self a performance surfing sup.


i wonder how many friends i really have in here- soon find out

ahhhh good day to you Lacey hows that Dishpan going more importantly have you still got it in the quiv , these things do move a bit one reads