Board

The search for a new board can be daunting for a beginner. While I have been using a board from a friend it was not well suited for my needs. I needed a longer board with good size rails that would float me better and was easier to handle.

I found a starting point place when I was looking at Surfline.com with the ‘Sacred’, the shaper show. I thought it was going to be closer, but going down to Del Mar was not that far and something I could do in an afternoon. Never having been to these fair grounds I was not sure where exactly it would be, but seeing a collection of cars, all with surfboard racks on them, knew I had found the spot.

The show was in a smaller room and was quite hot after a while. So it was a good thing there was beer around. There were so many styles and sizes of boards, it was quite over whelming. The balsa wood ones with foam interior was such a nice combination of new ideas and old school ecstatic. Some boards had coloring that looked like a paint job on a car, can we say ‘Pimp My Board’? It was a great look.

Then there were the more recognizable names of Hobbie and Rusty, which is great and they had amazing boards as well. Everyone was so helpful and really took time to explain things to us. Even with all this information it was so hard to decide. This may not have been a good idea after all. It was like going to a car show with all the new ‘08 models and concept cars, when what you need is a white truck.

In the end I had to go to a regular surf shop and get I bought a 9’6” board from Robert August. It is an epoxy board, with three scags, the middle one is adjustable. It is blue and yellow and white striped. (Yes I am still a girl and I care what it looks like, there was the same board in another color combo, I didn’t buy it.)

While I am grateful that my friend loaned me his board and I was able to start getting out there with out having to spend a lot, it was time for me to get my own board. I went out the next day; I hadn’t even owned the board for a full 24 hours. I went with a group of friends to Doheny. Yes it was low tide and it was a bit like being in the ‘kiddy pool’, but it was perfect to get used to my new board.

The board rode nicely and yes I need to build up more wax on it, it was easier to paddle out on, much easier that what I had been using. I felt a lot more confident on this board and made attempts to get up. I wasn’t that successful, but I am not giving up! I know in the coming months I will get well acquainted with my board. It was a great first time out and I’m looking forward to the next time. :-)