Surf Talk Guru

There are a lot of different brand names when it comes to surfboard fins. Are they really that different? Is buying new fin set ups something you really want to do?

Most boards come with the FCS brand of fins. These are the most popular and come in a great variety, but some say they break out easily. Future Fins are FCS compatible and don’t disconnect as easily. These both are installed via a metal screw which can get corroded and hard to remove. Other higher end brands are O’Fish’I, Lok Box, Pro Box, and Red X.

There is currently a program for “Finatics” where you can try out different fins for awhile, send them back and try another set. That way you can try all the brands without having to buy them. Check it out at http://www.thesurfboardwarehouse.com/finatic/

What is the difference between various surfboard fin set-ups? Surfboards are described as single fins, twin-fins, tri-fins, thrusters, quads, and bonzers. What are the benefits of each? When you’re just starting out, you probably won’t be able to generate the speed necessary to feel the fin response. You also won’t have full control over your turns, but once you get good enough you’ll have a lifetime to explore different fin options.

A board with an odd number of fins always has one in the middle. That middle fins will help you keep control of your steering, holding your turn and not letting you skid out when turning. The fins on the sides add control of the rails, keeping your board locked in while riding. Preference on how many fins you have also depends on the type of wave you’re riding and your board’s tail shape.

Growing up in Southern California, many people assume that I literally lived at the beach. While there is some truth in that notion, I never adapted the stereotypical surfer lifestyle that is depicted in movies and on TV. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until I moved up north to the Oregon coast that I really began to surf.

When I first started getting into the sport, I was hesitant to make a large investment in a surfboard and accessories. I would go with my buddies a couple times a month and was able to find an affordable shop that offered Oregon surfboard rentals. Now that I have been surfing for four years, I have finally broken down and invested in my own board.

Ossies Summer Surf School Now Available for 2010!

Christmas is just around the corner and when it comes to finding unique gifts for unique surfers, it can be a long search. If you are willing to spend a little more money, here are some items that would be much appreciated by every surfer I know.

1.) Electric Heat Vest $200–The latest product for cold weather surfers is the PS+ Cypher Heat Vest System by Quiksilver. It’s a battery-operated vest you wear under your wetsuit. This is something every surfer would love to have for the winter, but not something most people would splurge on for themselves, so it would make a great gift!

2.) New Wetsuit $250-$400–Another thing surfers sometimes put off buying for themselves is a new wetsuit. Be sure to ask about their preferred brand, size, and thickness so they won’t have to exchange it.

3.) Custom-Made Surfboard $550+–The object of every surfer’s desire is the customized surfboard. A local shaper makes a board according to specifications laid out by the customer. The board will be shaped for optimum performance and utility according to the surfer’s size, ability level, and surfing conditions.

If you’d like your child to become a pro tour regular or even just a local ripper, there are a few guidelines to follow to make sure you’re introducing the steps at the right ages. Get them started gradually, having them become confident in the ocean, and things should go smoothly.

From birth to age 2, have the child take showers with you. Believe it or not, water splashing on the face and head, and in eyes and nose can be a huge deterrent to future water activities if the child isn’t used to it. Shower spray will get them used to it. Take them to parent/child aquatic classes and have them get used to movement in the water, holding their breath, blowing bubbles, etc.

When the child is 2-4 years old, continue swimming lessons. Get them wetsuits and have them splash around in the surf, under adult supervision, of course, and wearing a PFD for extra safety. Wetsuits are great for beach activities because they keep the child warm whether they’re wading in the surf or digging in the sand. Having them get used to putting on and taking off wetsuits at an early age will prevent them from hating that aspect later on. Also at this age, have the child lay atop your surfboard while you hold it in the shallows. Have them practice the paddling motion on the board.

At 5-7 years of age, continue swimming lessons and introduce related sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding, and boogie boarding. Begin teaching them how to surf only if you yourself are an experienced surfer. If you’re not, pay for regular lessons through a local surf shop. Children should be on softop surfboards. Have them practice jumping to standing on their board onshore then push them into whitewater waves and practice standing and riding on the moving board.

As the child grows to 8-10 years old, he or she will have more strength and stamina, be able to carry their own board, and will have more patience and focus for all the practice they’ll need to improve. The learning curve for surfing might be the largest of any sport, so make sure you have a lot of patience for your child!

What is the war between surfers and bodyboarders? Why are surfers always making fun of those riding a sponge? Is bodyboarding so bad?

Bodyboarding is a good starter sport for young people or those learning how riding waves works. Bodyboarding is easier and takes less time to learn than surfing, but variations on the ride, like drop-knee and stand-up, will help make surfing easier in the future. Bodyboarding is also popular with those who have injuries and are not able to stand up and ride a surfboard like they used to.

You can see why there would be a bias against bodyboarding based on this description: it’s only for those who can’t surf. Surfers may feel superior to such people who “can’t stand up” on a board, but want to share the lineup. But what about those kick-ass bodyboarders, pros and Hawaiians who ride Pipe on a sponge? Nothing to laugh at there.

Bodyboarders have been known in Oregon to pull some pretty dickhead moves, like crashing surf contests, dropping in like crazy on everybody in their non-local surfspot, and generally egging on the rivalry. Since they’re definitely in the minority, maybe some bodyboarders enjoy being “different.” So the rivalry is continued from both sides.

If you’d like your child to become a pro tour regular or even just a local ripper, there are a few guidelines to follow to make sure you’re introducing the steps at the right ages. Get them started gradually, having them become confident in the ocean, and things should go smoothly.

From birth to age 2, have the child take showers with you. Believe it or not, water splashing on the face and head, and in eyes and nose can be a huge deterrent to future water activities if the child isn’t used to it. Shower spray will get them used to it. Take them to parent/child aquatic classes and have them get used to movement in the water, holding their breath, blowing bubbles, etc.

When the child is 2-4 years old, continue swimming lessons. Get them wetsuits and have them splash around in the surf, under adult supervision, of course, and wearing a PFD for extra safety. Wetsuits are great for beach activities because they keep the child warm whether they’re wading in the surf or digging in the sand. Having them get used to putting on and taking off wetsuits at an early age will prevent them from hating that aspect later on. Also at this age, have the child lay atop your surfboard while you hold it in the shallows. Have them practice the paddling motion on the board.

At 5-7 years of age, continue swimming lessons and introduce related sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding, and boogie boarding. Begin teaching them how to surf only if you yourself are an experienced surfer. If you’re not, pay for regular lessons through a local surf shop. Children should be on softop surfboards. Have them practice jumping to standing on their board onshore then push them into whitewater waves and practice standing and riding on the moving board.

As the child grows to 8-10 years old, he or she will have more strength and stamina, be able to carry their own board, and will have more patience and focus for all the practice they’ll need to improve. The learning curve for surfing might be the largest of any sport, so make sure you have a lot of patience for your child!

What are the differences between balsa surfboards and foam surfboards? Balsa boards have traditionally been more expensive, but due to cheaper materials and manufacturing processes, that’s no longer the case. Now you can find balsa and fiberglass boards side by side for the same price.

People who prefer balsa boards maintain that the superior stiffness of balsa results in better turns and more drive through mushy waves. The stiffness also makes the board easier to paddle, as they glide through water instead of getting pushed back over and over. A good analogy of this issue is that it’s like the difference between paddling a canoe and a rubber raft. As far as flotation and water intake, balsa and foam are the same. Balsa’s stiffness also improves board durability because they don’t flex and bend like a foam board. The boards are a few pounds heavier than foam, but some people say this helps you get more speed and bite into the surface of the water.

People who prefer foam boards like the fact that they are lightweight and flexible. This allows them to rip turns and perform at a higher level. The reason for the switch to foam was that it was easier to obtain materials for and shape than balsa or other woods. Foam boards remain easier to repair and glass than balsa boards. Balsa boards don’t come in shortboard sizes. Longboard and gun riders might have an option between balsa and foam, but shortboarders won’t find a good performance 6′0″ available in balsa.

Bat Tail Surfboard

If you have ever wondered what the differences are between roundpins, squashes, fishes,and bat tails, there is a lot to learn about surfboard tail design. The important thing to remember is that the tail influences how the board digs into or skids across the surface of the wave. An angular tail will allow for more angular, square turns and will dig into the wave. A rounder tail will create rounder, smoother turns and slide across the wave.

If you want to experience the difference in surfboard performance, borrow a board with a tail you’ve never tried from a friend and ride it for about a week. Surf shops often have demo boards you can test out, too. If a certain tail you want to try keeps eluding you, keep your eyes open for a used surfboard rather than getting a new one. You’ll save money and you don’t want to buy something you aren’t sure if you’ll like.

Here is a link to an article on the specifics of different types of tail designs: http://www.surfinghandbook.com/surfboard-design/surfboard-tail-design/