Standing at 8’, the Guppy's features a rounded nose which gives it a lot of buoyancy, speed, and passability. It’s super comfortable because of its 80-liter volume construction, so you won’t be sinking anytime soon, and its wide squash tail gives the rider enough control and stability so that they feel in command at all times.
Last but certainly not least is the build of the board. Which materials were used, and how was it put together?
Before going into the build, make sure that you already have a rough idea of what you’re after in terms of dimensions and volume.
If you’re buying a board first-hand and say that you’re a beginner, they will undoubtedly throw a foam board at you, but this is not a hard rule, and you don’t want to go with the first thing you see.
That being said, foam boards are great. They are very lightweight, feature soft tops, and are quite durable. The best part is that they are quite affordable, as far as surfboards go.
But if foam is not cutting it for you, you can always take a look at fiberglass or wood-made ones. After all, they were the original board build way back when.
Fiberglass boards are surfboards that feature a polyurethane core that is covered in fiberglass. While they are great for a number of things, they aren’t as durable as the foam ones. And if you are starting out, it’s safe to say that you are hitting more than a few forks in the road before you learn how to steer with the best of them.
However, if you’re serious about your craft, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our OMBE Method of learning. You just might be surprised at what you can achieve.
EPS or Epoxy surfboards are the new kid on the block. They are the latest in technology and design. They feature an expanded polystyrene foam core that has an epoxy resin coating.
For the most part, they are lighter than the foam boards and a lot more durable than the fiberglass ones. But there are a few things that you should consider before going for one.
If you don’t consider yourself to be an absolute beginner, and if you have some experience with foam boards, then maybe it’s time to take a look at some EPS longboards.
The build on these is absolutely spot-on in most cases. You are getting a modern design that has a lot of thickness, volume, and length without sacrificing much in the weight department.
Feel free to look into vintage shapes, such as the fish surfboard design, that are usually both thicker and wider than your run-of-the-mill board.
Having said that, you will want to pay close attention to the setup on fish boards because having a twin, thruster, or quad fin setup makes all the difference in the world. Usually, the shorter the board, the more the fins come into play.
They are great performers on big wave surfs because you are able to correct any move in the blink of an eye and not drag on the consequences of a wrong foot placement or turn.
They are also great if you are looking to make a transition into shortboards but don’t want to cut directly from long to short.
Although these are the main parameters that should be on your list, there are also other things to consider, and for the most part, they are tied in with your style of surfing and the conditions that you are surfing in.
Surfing is certainly an addictive sport and if you’ve caught the surfing bug, then you’ll be starting to look into buying your very first surfboard!
So you’ve jumped online to check out which board you might want to get… but suddenly realized just how many options there are out there!
Spyder Surfboard reviewsWe’ve put together a list of our best tips for choosing your first board below, but keep in mind, we’re ALWAYS happy to help you out with any advice you might need, whether over the phone (09 431 5760) or in store (11 Te Arai Point Road, Te Arai).
Before we think about the actual board we want to buy, let’s educate ourselves on the types of boards that are on the market and who their ideal ‘rider’ might be. Especially when it comes to buying your first surfboard!
Soft boards are the ultimate fun and safe board for beginner surfers of all ages. They are incredibly buoyant, stable, easy to ride & great for building confidence in the water.
Similar to a soft board, longboards are buoyant and stable, however generally made of a fiberglass shell, making them slightly more dangerous in the water.
The Mini Mal surfboard or “Mid-length” is a great universal board that is well suited to beginners. It is a smaller version of a longboard and is made from fibreglass.
Funboard surfboards are designed for beginners, or to be ridden by more experienced surfers in small, weak conditions. This type of design is in between a fish and a longboard, and can be super fun on the right day. They are easier to duck dive on compared to longer boards.
Short boards are high-performance boards for progressive to advanced surfers. We would only recommend buying a short board if you have a good level of surfing behind you. These boards give you the ability to push your surfing level much further than soft boards or mini mals, however won’t be much fun if you have never surfer before.
Short boards are high-performance boards for progressive to advanced surfers. We would only recommend buying a short board if you have a good level of surfing behind you. These boards give you the ability to push your surfing level much further than soft boards or mini mals, however won’t be much fun if you have never surfer before.
Aotearoa Tip: If you’re past the softboard stage, consider buying a board with an epoxy shell as they are more ding resistant than most fiberglass boards.
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