Firstly apologies if this topic has been discussed before - I tried a SB search but didn't get the information I need.

Have twin 9 y.o. boys (about to turn 10) and they've had Maddog foamies for two years. They've outgrown the boards skill wise (they're a dog to turn etc) and want to get them slightly better performing boards - they're not talented grommets by anymeans but they do have the core skills. We live in Yeppoon so the surf isn't brilliant but it's perfect for kids. Also we go to Agnes Water 2-3 times a year.

So can anyone recommend or point me in a direction - Ireally don't want to go down the path of a custom glass boards at this stage and maybe leaning towards an off the shelf / epoxy construction.

NSP Grom Board?

I'd reckon a couple of second handy's would be the go for first fibreglass boards. Boards 2 or 4 inches taller than them since they grow so quick at that age. Just look out for boards that are in good condition, but let them have the final word on which board they finally settle on so they're happy. Otherwise same size boards off the shelf if your happy spending that much cash on the groms. $350 each should get you a good condition board with a light pressure ding or 2 & some fins. Then ebay some board bags about 6ft so they'll fit the next boards they get. You should find some for no more than $75 delivered.

TAA's got just the boards you want. See his thread. You just have to go to Adelaide to demo them.

As with any board choice Sausage it'll depend on height and weight. I spent a fair bit of time searching for the right one for my middle child because he wanted one he could carry and duck dive. The majority of his peers have boards that are wide and thick and this was certainly a major factor for me but he finds it difficult to submerge the board and get out the back. I sacrificed that aspect to get a board that is stable, floaty and turns without too much strength required. I also went with a stringerless epoxy with carbon rails, mainly for durability. Checkout to view how the board goes, you will see a Merrick pod that was second hand for 300 bucks that goes well for a 8 year old and also a 4'6 custom that a 5 year old shreds on! (blue vest), my bloke is in yellow and is riding a 5'3 Aloha, you can get them on ebay but they are pricey (590 for that one)

I just made a grom board for a 7 year old, who is about 35kgs and 4'8 (i think)
its a 5'1.5x18.25"x 2 3/8"
Why not have a go yourself? probably cost about $200 to make. Ive glassed it too but dont have any pics.

^^ Very cool Bertie

Thanks guys for the great advice. Those NSP Grom boards look the goods - around $400 each delivered. One last question - they're 4' 6" and weigh about 30kg so I assume the 4'9" board would be the better option initially than the 5'4" although give them a year or two would the bigger one serve them better in the long run????

Bertie,
Nice work - wish I had the time and more so the talent to make one (actually two). PS you've got yourself a big 7 year old there too.

Bakesy, great vid


Legion, Don't start me on Starboard (I windsurf and have a love hate relationship with them)

That is a sweet board Bertie, if you ever go into production mode let me know. Snagger, like most things with kids buy for the future. The perfect size for my middle child was around 4'8 but I went 5'3 hoping it would last around three to four years, meaning I wouldn't need to shell out $$$ for a few more years.

Haha Sausage, not my kid! It was for my girlfriends BFF's son. He could be a year or so older too.
Oringinally it was supposed to be 5'5 but my template printed out off scale and i didnt notice until i'd cut the blank. Not a drama though coz I think it actually worked out better!
I tired to make the board so it would last, and be able to be handed down to then next youngster in that family.
I kept some extra volume in the nose so its less likely to get snapped off, put extra glass in the tail for when the youngster grinds the fins into the sand and made the lapps wider for better ding protection.
I kept the costs down by using a 2nds blank
It even has a single to double concave bottom!
Hopefully it makes its way to regional victoria before christmas!
Bakesy I used it as a practice for a 6'2x20.25" I'm planning on shaping when I'm home next.
Unlikely to be going into any real quantity of boards, but with the high chance of my work ending soon up North it might be a possibility for beer money before the next assignment begins.
I've got a few order from mates already, but I definitely need some more practice with my glassing before going "pro".

I ended up getting 5'6" NSP Fish as these will do them for the next 4 years - lots of float and early planing for smaller mushier waves that we get up here. The NSP Grom board was probably just that bit too high performance for them and all indications were that they would grow out of them quickly. Thanks again for the great tips too.

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sausage said...
lots of float and early planing for smaller mushier waves that we get up here.

Are you planning on sticking a rig on it??? We are in the surf forum here!
Your supposed to use " glides over flat sections" instead of early planing

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Bertie said..

sausage said...
lots of float and early planing for smaller mushier waves that we get up here.

Are you planning on sticking a rig on it??? We are in the suf forum here!
Your supposed to use " glides over flat sections" instead of early planing

Ha my bad Bertie. My surfing vernacular is somewhat limited