Choosing The Right beginner Surfboard
One of the questions we get asked time and time again is what surfboard should I buy as a beginner. So here we have it, our answer.
Choosing a surfboard can be a daunting task. With hundreds of choices to make, dimensions, fin set up, material, leash length, epoxy, helium (really), buoyancy etc, it can be extremely off-putting. Then you need to know whether you’re getting ripped off or not, so our next article will be the pricing of surfboards. Watch this space.
We’ve written a simple guide to help you with this decision making process. This should only take a few minutes to read and it could stop you from choosing the wrong board and being put off surfing forevermore.
Instead of talking about your weight and height etc, we’re going to focus on ability.
Stage 1 - Newbie Surfboard
During this stage of surfing, it’s vital you choose the correct surfboard, because if you don’t it could make or break your love of surfing. Many people will choose the board they desire to surf, normally a short, fibreglass surfboard that the pros are seen using.
DO NOT BUY A PERFORMANCE SHORT BOARD AS A BEGINNER!
If you’re not quite standing up every wave, or if you’re still riding white water, then you’d benefit from riding something very high in volume and probably made from something soft like foam. If you choose something small, for example a 5’10 with 28L of volume, then you will struggle. You’re essentially making life very hard for yourself by surfing a board you’re not ready for.
Stage 2 - Beginner Surfboard
If you’re catching waves more often and falling off slightly less, then it could be time to progress to a hardboard. That being said, foam boards really are for every occasion! Some of the most fun surfs to be had are on foam surfboards. They will literally catch anything, they’re virtually indestructible and they’re becoming more and more trendy with the likes of Jamie O’Brian using them on the North Shore.
Most are desperate to get off the foamy, and onto fibreglass. If you are this way inclined, then a large fibreglass or epoxy surfboard with plenty of volume will aid your progression. Length is important here folks. The longer the surfboard, the better your chances of catching waves. A longboard will glide further and faster than a shortboard will, so you’ll catch waves easier and earlier, giving you more time to focus on standing up and choosing your line.
Just like length, volume is also important. The more of you out of the water, the faster the board will paddle. For a beginner, catching waves is your main goal. If you’re struggling to catch waves, you won’t be able to progress. So throw away the ego, and get yourself a thick surfboard.
Stage 3 - Intermediate Surfboard
You’re now catching the green waves. At this point, you’re going to want to start turning, doing chop hops and trying other manoeuvres seen in the mags.
Volume is still going to be your friend here, but it might be time to start thinking about reducing the length. Turning a longboard is hard, so to give yourself a better chance at success, we recommend getting something slightly shorter but still keeping that high volume.
A high volume fish, or an egg shaped board would be ideal for this stage of learning. You’ll still be able to catch waves early due to the high volume. Once you’re having fun on this type of board, then it could be time to progress to something more sharper and shorter. But by this point, you’ll know what type of surfing you like to be doing!
We hope that helped a bit.
Enjoy Surfing!
First thoughts on the Skindog Cherry Picker
Cherry Picker Review
Skindog Surfboards Cherry Picker in Thunderbolt Technologies Japan
I was able to get my hands on the new Thunderbolt Technology Skindog Cherry Picker. Massive shoutout to Grant from Unsunghero Surfboards, St Davids . In fact, all of my surfboards have come from Unsunghero Surf shop. Not only is there a huge selection of boards to choose from, but Grant actually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to surfboards.
When I told grant I wanted a nose rider, something more traditional than what was my former longboard of choice, the Meyerhoffer. See below.
The hour glass shaped 9’1” Mayerhoffer 2 This thing does nose ride incredibly well. It also surfs a bit like a shortboard when you’re at the back, and feels like a nose rider when you’re at the front. And it’s flatish rocker, means it glides into any wave!
Grant’s first suggestion was something that wasn’t really even released yet, the Skindog Cherry Picker made from the Ultra Light Thunderbolt Technologies from Japan.
After just a couple of waves, I already knew I’d get along very well with this board. At first, it was strange paddling into waves. It seemed like the whole board was trying to push itself off the back of the wave, which initially was very annoying. Once I was used to the difference in the rocker, I started to feel very comfortable and re-learned how to paddle. I kept finding myself heading straight to the nose at any opportunity, sometimes feeling up to a foot of lift which was something I hadn’t experienced before.
On the wave behind. Photo by Zeal Photography
The Skindog Cherry Picker at Whitesands Beach, Pembrokeshire.
On the nose of the Cherry Picker, photo by Pat
The cherry picker is shaped like a traditional nose-rider log, but with a unique tail design. The lifted tail, gives it that touch of extra hold, keeping the nose above the water whilse sending you to the front to compensate.
“The Cherry Picker is constructed using Thunderbolt Silver a 100% hand layup Fibreglass Lamination which delivers a classic weight and flexing surfboard. Thunderbolt Silver uses a Fused Cell EPS Foam Blank which incorporates a Carbon Fibre Multi-Component Flex Control System which replaces a traditional wooden stringer which along with the lamination delivers a familiar flex which will remain for the extended lifespan of these durable boards. Thunderbolt Silver uses a 6 + 6oz deck lamination with 6 + 4oz on the bottom. The Fused Cell EPS Foam Blank is wrapped in a Core Shield PVC Shell which affords flexible protection to the EPS core.” - Boardshop
The stringerless, eps foam blank with carbon fiber means the Cherry Picker is extremely light. That along with it’s back end shaped for performance means you can swing it around quite easily, giving you that dynamic range of movement from noseriding straight into sharp turns. Perfect for the sloppy waves we’re used to here in the UK.
Overall, I think the Cherry Picker is an absolutely fantastic board, especially when combined with Thunderbolt Technologies from Japan. By this point, you’ve probably already researched the price. (Which is probably the only downside, from what I can gather so far)
Update:
6/01/22
I have since put a new fin on the Cherry Picker. A smaller but wider fin. (Picture coming soon)
The board seems to glide into waves a fair bit faster and still holds well during nose rides. More details to follow.
If you’ve got any questions at all about the Cherry Picker, feel free to send us a message using the form below.
To buy a Cherry Picker, they still have one in Unsunghero Surf - https://unsungherosurf.co.uk/collections/surfboards/products/x-skindog-cherry-picker-96-thunderbolt