Hello and welcome to my blog. The purpose of this blog is to share by experiences of different surfboard. Over the years I have had many surfboards, so great some not so. I hope that my reviews will help you choose a shape suitable for your skill level and the waves you ride.
The particular impetus for the blog was the delivery of my Greg Griffin 5 fin. Many people were waiting for my comments on it.
I'm an average surfer, riding average waves. I have many different boards, thrusters, bonzers, singles, fish, performance mals and traditional noseriders. from 5'3" to 10". I can do a reasonable job of riding most of them. I also occasionally shape some boards for my own use.
If you have any comments on the structure of the reviews I'd be glad to hear your comments.
SHOPS/DISTRIBUTORS: If you want me to to give an opinion on one of your boards, I'm happy to do that, however I will require the board for around 3 months so that I can test it in a range of conditions.
Burnsie
15 comments:
Photo Courtesy of Sean Casey
Looking forward to seeing your reviews Burnsie!
Cool blog Burnsie. I have always been intrigued with surfboards even before I even rode one, my first ride taking place in mid 1967. I shaped and glassed a couple of boards in high school which were absolute lemons. After riding lots of different shapes, many I was'nt really stoked on, I picked up a planer again and started making my own boards at age 35. That was 17 years and 40 something boards ago. Right now, I've taken a break from shaping,and have been riding an 8'0" South Point Schaper/Bonga epoxy and a 6'0" fish (my most recent shape). I do have a bunch of other long and short boards I ride occasionally too. The South Point kind of opened my eyes to the fact that a molded epoxy board can be a very viable option to a custom made board. I really did'nt think I'd like it as much as I do. I'd say I ride the longboard 75% of the time. I ride the fish mostly when it's not too crowded and the paddle is'nt too far. Too bad the Griffin didnt work out like you hoped it would. There has been so much positive things said about his boards I thought for sure it would have worked for you. Thats how surfboards are eh? Well I better stop rambling on...I'll check your blog now and then to see if you've tested any new boards.
Aloha,
Derek
Thanks for stopping by Derek. Yes, I've also found that you have to judge a board on how it rides for you, custom or popouts are just labels that don't necessarily mean a whole lot in the water.
I rode a rental 9'2" Southpoint longboard at Malibu and it worked really well.
I like these reviews. Keep it up!
Thanks for all your hard work testing these boards and writing it up. Your honesty is refreshing,I am pleased to see that you give your truthful opinion, good or bad.
I am interested on you opinion on escape surfboards, in particular the 7ft screamer epoxy. I am a big guy been riding 40 years and need a good all rounder that wont fall to bits in a year.
would welcome your observations/comments
keep up the testing your doing a fine job
cheers
reg
Hi , the 7'4 ocean magic board your reviewed , I bought that same board second hand a number of years ago, and I still have it in my quiver , its a cracking board blows any other mini mal out of the water by a long shot , I recently started riding it again over the summer and its still great fun
The Original Adjustable Wing Twin Fin
http://www.wavefin.com/
Thank You
Wavefin
Hey Burnsie,
Great blog and fantastic detail on all the boards. I'm just getting into surfing having had about 5 lessons and been out about 10times since on rentals, either Bics or NSP's.
Looking around for a second hand board in the 8ft-8'6 size. I'm 39, 85kgs, good fitness level swim 3-4km a week. Have been renting 7'10's and 7'6's. If I'm honest I've struggled on the 7'6....either can't catch the wave out the back, or catch it further inside, then get closed out. On the 7'10 can catch pretty much every wave on the bigger board, so holding out to get something 8ft or above, or if 7'10 at least 3" thick. Does that sound wise, or should I go for a longboard?
There is a lot of argument on this one, but I always believe that a good longboard will have you enjoying waves a lot sooner and it will always have a place in the quiver no matter what you decide on once you get proficient in a couple of years. Becoming an average surfer is pretty much akin to becoming a black belt in karate in terms of effort and commitment.
Lol.... I hear what you're saying! It took me 16 Years to get a Black belt in Ju Jitsu. Think I now fully appreciate surfing is going to be 'a bit of a journey' which is great!
I can relate to going for a bigger board, as was frustrated not getting up on waves when I was out on the shorter boards. I'll hold out and try to pick up something around 8'6 and 3" thick which should produce bigger grins.
I'll keep my eye on your reviews, and may come back for more advice.....in my mid 40's! Cheers
Hi Burnsie, your reviews are really helpful mate, I started surfing 3 years ago, I'm 51, a complete grom, and after a couple of unsuitable board buys (8'x21x2 7/8_ and 9 x 23 x 3) I've traded those in for a 7'6 x 23 x 3 from Stonker here in VIC Australia - loved the board from the first pop-up, had a grin all morning from that first sesh even in the miserable onshore slop, and it's only gotten better. your reviews are probably the best I've read and i did a LOT of reading to figure out why I was not having a good time. keep it up mate! cheers Big Willy Styles...
Hello,
Great impartial reviews, very helpful.
Can you recommend a longboard for Portugal waves. I've a tendency to nosedive and the faster steeper waves are exacerbating this problem. I've been looking for a board with more nose lift but they tend to be narrower and higher performance.
Ive got a Walden magic 9 6 out there but this is a lump of a board. Too big probably.
I want an epoxy board because I like lightweight boards.
Thanks
Thanks for the great review waiting for the post of best longboards under 200
Your article was a breath of fresh air. Thank you for providing a new perspective on a topic I thought I already knew everything about.
Awakesurfcollective
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