What are the best brand boards taking everything into account. Specifically what are the brands Grubb, al merrick, JS and firewire like?

IMHO al merrick awesome...rode one for years best surfing ever...doubt Kelly Slater would ride them if they were crappy.

Have you rode a grubb?

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Jay25 said...
Have you rode a grubb?

Nope but go with ur local shaped as well mate they probably have the best board for ur local break...

Firewires can be good depending on what you want/need...I grew up in 70's/80's as a shortboarder...went Longboarding from mid 90's to just recently (but still took a shortboard out when conditions were right)....i.e 90% LB/10% SB....now its the opposite...thanks to a FIREWIRE Dominator...with more volume and a less aggressive shape they are more forgiving...I ride it as a 5 fin with the slater Knubster most times and loving it...I am approx 90kg and ended up with a 6'4" but in reality prob could have gone with a 6'

In saying this, its horses for courses...if you are a more aggressive surfer then the Alternator, Hellfire or even the replacement for the Taj could be good.

However, you cant go past going to your local shaper, having a chat, he gives you a look up and down, you talk about your wishes/needs...he comes up with a few ideas and you go from there.

I did this for my 7 YO and came up with a wicked 5'3" Jackson that is the ducks nuts for her...and plus you support local business....Think of supporting local business as the popouts from China are killing the industry and they can be hit and miss.

Plus there's nothing like the smell of fresh resin...."I love the smell of Napalm resin in the morning"

Then again I am loving my 2nd hand Tom Wegener Mini Simmons and my Joel Tudor 6' egg single (tho need to lose another 5 or more kg to give this one more justice). Both second hand so also a good thing as you are not adding more to environmental issues about boards which is somethimes something that concerns me.

Thanks, i'm just wondering what to do. I'm 14 pretty short and light. I surf all the good Mandurah waves. I ride waves any where from 1 foot through to 6 foot. I just started short boarding 6 months ago and currently ride a 6'3 JS. I want something shorter. I want a new board but can't afford so i'm looking at second hand boards, hence the reason i'm wondering what the best board would be considering my situation.

I dont know of many surfboards for sale on this site so I guess Ebay and Gumtree and local surfshops are your friend. EDIT: Actually there are heaps..see my next post for just one example

I would be suggesting around 5'8" to 5'10"..also with Firewires and similar epoxy boards you can go up to 4" or so shorter than a fibreglass board due to their higher bouyancy and flotation....perhaps even the local shaper sometimes sells 2nd hand boards...also Christmas is coming up...try and be really good and Santa (mum and dad) may help....perhaps if you agree to do some extra stuff at home (wash cars, mow or whatever) it could help too...Strike a deal with them that if you come up with half they front the rest...basically suck up big time over the next few weeks.

There's a guy over your way who sometimes puts STEALTH Carbon Fibre boards on Ebay with low starting price...I picked up a 6' for less than $500 and that was shipped to Sydney...They are a popout type board but ride very well...just remember to keep Epoxy and Carbon Fibres out of the sun as much as possible as they damage from heat much more than trad fibreglass boards.


If going for 2nd hand...look for dings which may not be fixed and not too many impressions on the deck (tho if it has dings better in many ways on the deck than underneath)...also perhaps a trade in on old board?

Ask your mates as many questions as you can about their likes/dislikes...initially they will probably say that their board is the best but if you ask the question like what are the 2 or 3 things you like and 2 or 3 things you dislike you may be able to work out what suits you....look at some of the better surfers that are similar in size and see how they ride etc...but if your level is way below theirs be aware they could be riding a super thin/light stick that may be too advanced (Sorry dont know your level).

Finally, keep perstering the local surfshops....if you keep popping in without being arrogant or annoying..who knows they may even offer you a part time job.

Just thoughts....I remember when I was your age (long time ago) I picked up my first fibreglass board which was a reject from my uncles quiver...not the best but a good learning board. Tho I surfed on a "foamie" for 6 years before that as boards were way more expensive (comparatively) then than they are now...and we were "Dirt poor"

BTW...firewires can be overpriced...but keep checking Ebay....and if you see something you like...dont bid on it immediately...its like playing cards...dont show your hand until the last 10-15 seconds (if its still within your budget). Make sure you ask them questions about anything if its not described well enough. Set yourself a reminder of the time/date and logon 15 mins before the end of the auction to see how it goes. IF a board doesnt sell cos its a little too expensive asking price...contact the seller and try offering him a fair price (same as Gumtree....I got 2 softboards for my kids that way). GOOD LUCK

I stand corrected ...Seabreeze has heaps...sorry mostly use this site for windsurfing (beginner at that).

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Surfing-Shortboards/~avsi-/2012-Hog-Custom-Pod-Fish-5-10.aspx?search=OOFcWhwDrOUAAJUgGfomvQ%3d%3d

Have you tried a local shaper to whereever you are planning on going? THey'd be able to give you one on one advice, shape a board to suit your needs and probably add a bit extra glassing to make it stronger for you.

Colin Earle in Ozzy Park shapes a nice stick





Now to get a super groveller

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doggie said...
Colin Earle in Ozzy Park shapes a nice stick





Now to get a super groveller

Introducing the newest sponsored team rider for Colin Earle surfboards

Cannt go past Katana Surfboards in Osborne Park Great boards Great shapes and Great service Dave knows his stuff Check out his epoxy bamboo deck boards Cannt go wrong

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Wavewidow said...
Cannt go past Katana Surfboards in Osborne Park Great boards Great shapes and Great service Dave knows his stuff Check out his epoxy bamboo deck boards Cannt go wrong

yeah have to agree, go local. They will always give you the time to discuss what you want from a board and they know the local waves

Not a relation or "significant other" are you wave widow

Agree with you though I have used Dave's boards for about 15 years now, never been dissapointed by their performance.


Hey Dreads did you go with the quad from Dave?

yeah sure did moch, running with the stretch fins at the moment, very happy with it cant fault it, except for its in for repair due to my mate running over it with his board. Very responsive, feels like i'm surfing better already

Cool, I'm tryin out some Powerbase fins, XL fronts and Med rears. A bit big for local surf but drivey, hanging to try em out in bigger waves south or Bali

sounds good moch, surfed down south last thursday, good swell, stretch fins did real well, should try them if you can get your hands on a set

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mocha1 said...
Cool, I'm tryin out some Powerbase fins, XL fronts and Med rears. A bit big for local surf but drivey, hanging to try em out in bigger waves south or Bali

hey Mocha did you get the ceramic one"s

Nah the glass flex/armour flex version, ceramic ones bit too expensive for me.
Will bring em in n show ya