Buying a surfboard
Q. Our family takes a vacation to the beach every summer. I’ve been boogie-boarding for the past several years, but now I want to try surfing. I know you can rent surfboards, but I want one of my own. Any advice?
— Stoked Stephen, Raleigh, N.C
A. Gnarly question, dude. Surfboard rentals at most beaches typically cost about $25 to $30 a day. So it might make more sense to buy one since you should be able to get a good used surfboard for about $200 either in a surf shop or online at eBay or craigslist.org.
Here’s what to look for in a starter board: The longer, wider and thicker the board, the easier it’ll be to stand up on. Surfboards in the seven- to nine-foot-long range are perfect for the average teen.
Unless you’re an advanced surfer, try the INT Semi-Long (intsoftboards.com). This eight-footer is covered on the top and sides with soft foam so you can’t ding it (or your head). Best of all, the bottom of the board is made of hard fiberglass resin so it’s fast and rides almost exactly like a regular hard-shell fiberglass surfboard. A new one runs about $450, but it’s super durable so you can expect to be surfing it for many years to come.
Look to rent one if you are new to the sport. Good article on how to buy a board though
i always wanted to surf but i don’t live near the sea
Dont buy the junk foam boards. Better to buy a real glassed board, used, even if in a yr or two you advance and want to go smaller or more streamlined. You can always sell a long board but the foam boards are garbage, not good for the enviroment and not the genuine article. Surfing is an amazing way to experience nature and be part of what’s real …. the ocean.
If you’re in the Destin, Florida, area check out fluid surf shop. I got a used surf board for $150.
i LOVE SURFING but i dont have surf board never even rode one there a little exspensive though i ride a body board what should i do LOL