I think that for the average surfer, it's way better to buy 3 $500 boards for different conditions, than buying 1 $1500 board that can't be comfortably ridden all the time
very good points. They will get a good feeling for what boards they like and that will lower the risk of making a mistake if they decide to spend more later. I often see $1500 boards for sale on marketplace having only been ridden once because its the wrong size or wrong feel.
@@Chris_Genex Unless surfing pays your bills, you should be serious about having fun, not about surfing. Cheap is not crap either. Very good and fun boards out there for $500.
@@robertical The majority of cheap boards are sh*t mate, and in my experience only hinder your progression. If you want to have "fun" just stick to your boogie board then..
@@Chris_Genex i mention in the video my first board was crap.It had a bad shape and was poorly made. Maybe you didn't get that part. TLDR - There are ok cheap boards and very bad cheap boards. A beginner is often not yet serious about surfing. $500 is a good starting point to see if they like it as long as they choose a good board.
For the average surfer, it doesn’t matter what brand of board you go with. I’ve had some Torq boards that were a blast to ride and were identical dimensions to models of more expensive brands, at 2/3 the cost. If you really want the most out of your boards it’s best to go to a shaper and get a custom board. When a shaper knows what kinds of waves you’re surfing, and your skill level, they will make you a board that is just right for you. And you’ll spend about the same if not less than a board off the rack at your local shop. Also, the right fins for a board make a world of difference.
Awesome video, great perspective. I purchased an Elemnt EPS midlength recently and have been quite surprised by the build quality and feel of the board
Definitely noticed the difference from locally made and tuned to local waves. I ordered a semi fish thruster from a shaper in Gisborne New Zealand and hated it riding it in Christchurch New Zealand until i took a trip to Gisborne. The board came alive and loved it.
when you put it like that ... sounds like a lot :) I'm just lucky I didnt get into a more expensive hobby like collecting rare racing cars or aeroplanes. :)
Very informative video! Thank you! I mostly buy second hand boards. I have had 2 EPS pop outs from Thailand. One stayed in almost perfect condition over about 7 years. The other got dinged the first time I surfed it and needed fairly extensive repairs after only a few years. I've also had 2 X2 (Tuflite) pop outs from Thailand. IMO this is a great option for a beginner / intermediate and/or travelling surfer because these boards are almost indestructible!
WONDERFUL VIDEO! Thank you 👍. This is something I've struggled with for years. Board selection. Anyone recommending anything over $1000 doesn't have to worry about rent or other bills. Forget it. You can still have fun on cheap boards and not break your bank. I currently surf on a 7ft Wavestorm and 6'8ft Southbay Casper and I'm happy. You have a new subscriber. 😊
I bought a 6'2" NSP Thai board in Florida. I liked the way it rode, but was a bit small for my current size and age. But I can get it to move very fast across a wall or shore break if I can get the local bottom to hold and not be dredged out by the strong NE to E winds we can get here. Then the prevailing South current just messes up all those nice Summer time made sand bars and turns the place into a bit of a close out mess. It's one of those Epoxy machine made or mold made brands for $420 US new in like 2021?
Suport local shapers , a good local shaper can make the same board of big brands. The is marketing a lot of some kids think they will surf better if they have the idol board
There are a few angles to this. I get what you are saying, local shapers can duplicate. They also have their own stuff. The name brands sell better new (and especially second hand) because they have a name and have created desire. Locally shaped boards are often suited to the local waves which is good and can cost less (not always). If they are not well known they have low resale value if that is important. I like the idea of supporting local shapers. They have real costs and they support the local community. That should always be a priority. Also you can build a relationship where they know your surfing very well and can custom aspects of the board just for you that you cant get off the shelf.
Living in cape town I have only bought boards from renowned shapers. The tend to be a bit more heavily glassed due to the amount of kelp in the water at a lot of spots. I have only been disapointed by one of them.
That is a perfect reason to go local. The local shapers know the conditions. I have found my locally shaped boards excel in local waves because they have been tuned to perfection.
What’s up! I’m also Cape Town side. Finally been able to save up and buy a custom shaped board. Was wondering what shaper let you down, don’t want to make a mistake on my first custom. My mates dad owns GROW boards so I was thinking of going to him for a good price but what do you rate?
@@bladeloots9301 Hi mate not going to name and shame as he has also shaped me some peaches. But I rate Stubbs, Also Dave Jenkins, DVG boards and Pierre De Villiers shaped me a gun and a step up that were and are amazing. A proper old school craftsman. GROW boards are great my son had one and loved it.
for most of us, once we let go of the ego, it should be mostly about performance and durability. my current favourite board is a Campbell Designed Middle Toe and the board ticks all the boxes for me - build quality, design/performance and even aesthetic but it is on the more expensive end of things I would love to find cheaper brands that also do the job
I have the Middle Toe and it is all-time fast and durable. You won't find a cheaper version of that Exoflex feel and quality. I love mine. If you can afford it - the best you can get.
Reckon they somewhat are - tho it depends on your skill level. I gave the Torq Pod Mod a go for a while and one day realized 'wtf am i doin' haha. It was really sluggish, too boaty, and no give. Great for beginners or even intermediates - but not someone who needs to dig the rail. So again, depends on where you are in your surfing journey. Makes total sense for beginners (don't waste a ton of money on the 'latest and greatest' - you're not going to be able to tell the difference). Actually, it will end up hurting you - biggest blunder people learning to surf make is (drum roll...) trying to go too small a board, aka too high performance a board, too quick. Become a pro on the Wavestorm first (or any of these 'cheap' surfboards). Then same size board, but fiberglass or high tech epoxy. Then you're ready... Thanks fro the video.
It's hit and miss. I've brought hundreds of boards over the years and have found that I have no idea what works for me until I get it out in different types of waves. If I find a cheapy I really like I take it to my shaper and get a nice new copy made. He likes finding new nuances when taking templates too.
Always felt the PU boards (local & asian) held much of the appeal and satisfaction that skaters get when destroying & wearing out maple laminate decks. They ride great when new, show wear quickly, get a suntan, ding & crease easily but it feels good to wear them out. I look at that dented & dished deck & know that I was getting me some. Then I get to know a new one.
what a score! I bought a pin tail channel bottom for about that made in Indonesia and it was an amazing board. A little soft on the glass but it flew! Sold it for almost what I paid.
Here in Europe, Decathlon is selling boards with a fairly good EPS construction for 349 euros. Probably coming from China. I'll give a try with a twin-fin.
Fine for learning, but too expensive if your just starting out. A 6'6" foam board is the best learner option in my opinion. Big enough to catch anything yet maneuverable enough to progress later on. Also nsp's are one of the heaviest boards out there (learned on a 6'6" nsp back around 2005)
I liked riding them in Waikiki they are tough wearing for the rental crowd. They have been around for more than two decades and you could do much worse. I agree a foamy is a good bridge to a fibreglass board. Once you get right into surfing there are awesome boards to unlock like CI Mid / CI MId Twin and similar which are more refined designs beyond the target audience of NSP.
@@blinksurf the other day I've seen a NSP fiberglass board that looked nice, it's not a beginner board, it's a twin fin with a round pin tail, in PU, all for 460 €.... So I was wondering, of course the board was made in Thailand.... I then came to know that behind the design of that model there's a shaper from Hawaii a certain Carl Schaper.
@@andreabordoni2665 I just scrolled through their current lineup of board and it seems they've started making a whole range of boards in a bunch of different constructions. I think you were looking at the Gemini Twin in poly. Looks like a solid option for the price if it's your size. (Sorry for swooping in on your responses blink 😅)
I usually buy local but the one asian made board I had was great. 7 foot rip curl fun board that Im told Maurice Cole designed. It was cheap, glass was solid as a rock and went fantastic. One of my favourite boards of all time.
I've had a really good experience with this board, bought it 2 years ago, having owned other made in china brands and using only epoxy boards, this feels like a good quality board
I had a shaper who made my custom boards for years...then I bought a Wayne Lynch Semigun Surftech Tuflight in a sale for fun and put some carbon fins on it and mate...fastest and toughest board I ever owned! After years of travel, still look like new...I like soulless, stiff things.😂
Jordy had to be tricked into riding Smith boards in a stab video, now he loves them. Try all different shapes and sizes, you never know what is the magic board. What kind of waves do you surf?
I got the best barrel of my life on a 6 6 SMTH Humanoid quad (ridden with twin keels) in a Cyclone swell. The SMTH Goldfish is perfect in beach breaks and reef breaks. I ride it in anything from mush to head high. Being in Noosa I get large fat cyclone swells to hollow sandy beach breaks.
@@blackbyzon4153 Bro, the Olaian perf was my surfboard. Unfortunately it doesn't suit the waves I surf the most, so I've bought a PU surfboard from a local shaper. After that I really started appreciating the Olaian. The price, the manufacturing, the shape... Everything it's perfect
Untill i recently bought myself a 6' cymatic ive only ridden second hand boards and ive got to say i probably should have bought a new board earlier, ive had an vessel eco bean, a vessel hybrid rpm something or rather, a 7s super fish and plenty of other boards ive forgotten and although some have been quite good ive noticed they dont seem to ride in the pocket anywhere near aswell and seem more suited to wally fatter waves. They also dont have the carving capability and some of pu boards in particular just have paper thin glass and get holes in them way too easy. Just my 2 cents i think if the more expensive board is more durable and will last longer its well worth the money
Some of the life can be sucked from used boards before you buy them. The cymatic is a dynamic board with a progressive bottom shape. New boards feel awesome to ride. Thanks for sharing
@@eamonglavin2532 yeah I had some great rides on mine in Sydney and the Philippines. It opened my mind to more rounded noses and the concave down the middle made it like a jet.
Thanks for the show i have a quiver but didn't have a midlenght in it so when i walked into this surfshop and saw the price i was like feels good looks good ,,got the blue so i Purchased a 6 '8 Wildcat from the Elemnt same brand paid 480 last spring on sale with a pair of Keel fins. Tryed it this spring due to feeling weird about my purchase and where it was made didn't use all last year this year. Now I cant put it down all my other boards don't get used. I purchased the CI twin fins after trying it with keels and an absolute bullet in the water for this tank 45 litters for me thats alot. But thank you Elemnt Surf for creating a budget friendly board and i will be purchasing the fish next unfortunately cant afford the big brand names anymore. Baby got to eat.😅😅
Thank you for sharing this story. This video was made for this exact purpose. Not everyone has $1500 to spend on a board and there are still some reasonable alternatives out there. No shame in feeding your family.
If there's so much handwringing about where a board is made, why don't people make their own boards like they did in decades past? The issue is modern generations have lost the life skills and craftsmanship to make their own boards / houses etc in Australia. It's easy to critique.... go out and make it yourself!
I completely agree. I'm 40 years old now, and for the past 7 years, I've been learning to shape. I've made a few boards, and while I don't ride them all, I love them all and the learning process. A couple have been amazing to surf. I've also enjoyed cloning my favorite production boards with slight tweaks to be even more custom for me. Next step is to learn glassing so I don't have to wait for the glasser's schedule to free up and pay him extra.
I get local shape EPS customs for around $400. I really cant beat that. Then i get hayden future flexs on their black friday sale for around $500. Gotta find deals.
Tiki fish goes great, I have it in 7’2, it’s a chunk but solid and pretty fast. The fins it comes with are crap, a set of future quads of eBay are £30 and make loads of difference. I’ve surfed it from knee high to overhead and it’s delivering 🎉
It's easy to say buy local but boards are too expensive these days. Can't expect the consumers to fund local shops when the local shops and big brands are pricing us out of affordable boards. I'm happy to support Chinese made board brands if I can get them for half or less of the price that rides the same as an Aussie made board that is $1300. Especially when they're all made in a fuckn machine anyway. Who gives a fuck if an Australian put a chunk of foam in a machine or a Chinese bloke. Surfing is so mainstream nowadays that it doesn't matter anymore.
@@boarderz8275 No you are just one of the kooks didn't know the difference between a hand shaped surfboard and a WaveStorm from China. I bought a well-made groveler local shaper for $635.00 US, and I'm riding it with every wave under 6 feet for more than 2 years. It's free world you do whatever you want.
Most boards are machine made anyway these days unless youre getting a custom from a local shaper. I couldnt care less if an australian bloke or a chinese bloke put a chunk of foam into a machine. Especially when one is double the price. Surfing has gotten too greedy and locally made boards are too expensive. If you arent getting a handshaped custom theres no point in getting a board from an aussie brand.
V has been around since the 60s.good shapers have spent years perfecting their skill and knowledge so they can supply you with a good workable board also local shaper know their area and produce local boards.if the board you are looking at is not up to standard don’t buy it.a good local shaper will not let an inferior board leave their factory.also stop believing the marketing hype from the vast surfboard makers.fins will turn an ordinary board into a good fun board.remember cheap boards end up in land fill very early a well made board last for decades be responsible with your purchase.
Some are Salty and it must be hard to see your industry change and become tougher. I do also see some genuine frustration when the local product (particularly innovations in design or construction) might be high quality but people don't know about it or can't afford to pay for it. There is a place for cheap and also custom high end.
@@blinksurf those who want high end will always go to legacy shapers. That is their market. The rest of us want fun boards that don’t coast as much as a car
some of the boards I have seen listed on Marketplace have a rougher surface then the moon. There is a market for every board - even if you donate it to a grom or give it to the TIP - they will sell it. Someone will paint it and wall-hang it. Another good point though about buying a cheaper new board versus a worn out board.
glad you love it. Mine is a treasured go-to board in my travel quiver. It has been to the Maldives, Philippines, Thailand and all over the East Coast of Australia.
All boards break end of story 1500 dollar 3000 dollar boards your kidding 90 % of people will have no idea why there board dosnt surf well or for that matter does surf well. Pretty hard to beat buyiing your boards in Bali go there without boards buy them there go surfing and bring them back. There are good and bad boards everywhere the materials that are used the craftmanship the choices and price options in Bali 2nd to none
Always fun buying a board on a trip. Great points. I have had a board by Vouch they tell me I will have a hard time breaking. It's a triple plywood Stringer Gun and pretty strong! Thank you for sharing.
Good video, i think we have to stop thinking that made in china is = s**t. Durability of this board is actually not bad, i had couple of hypto Kripto in the past and the durability was pretty bad for the price.
The only two boards I have snapped ever were 1) Hypto Krypto and 2) Firewire seaside and beyond. Both of then snapped on my second surf. Simple stuff like duck diving and wiping out on a 2 foot wave. Its my opinion they were not well made. I'm pretty sure the Hypto was glassed in a factory they had in Monavale NSW at the time. The Firewire was made in Thailand. I agree with you that we should not generalize.
Correct! And that never seems to get much airplay. I do love fins and I have especially loved the Australian and Hawaiin manufactured fins but some of the good ones are indeed made in Asia.
Ar go flog ya log , eye ride anything and everything, from the dump .. just ask around the tweed gatta , 98% of them can't keep up with me . Even resort to jumping out the car with knife's for me , not counting cheep shot's, you make it I'll brake it , or pass it hear I'll show you how to ride it
@@blinksurf hey there. I recently purchase a couple of boards from an au shaper, dylan shape surfboards do u have try them or do u have some opinion on them?
@@rafaariaslago4702 I have yet to try them however I have a high opinion as he shapes big wave guns for pros and clearly knows what he is doing. I'd like to try his boards!
I would never ever buy a surfboard from China! That goes against all my consumer ethics needless to say the quality control would be garbage! Support local shapers..
How is the quality control on your phone? BTW I'm all for buying local. Local shapers should improve their service if they want to win. Often they are sloppy with followup and sometimes they mess up the order. Often actually. maybe 20% of the time.
whoever bought my boards on Marketplace got a bargain. That being said, I've seen a lot of rubbish on there. "Hardly used' boards with craters like the moon's surface are priced way too high.
I think that for the average surfer, it's way better to buy 3 $500 boards for different conditions, than buying 1 $1500 board that can't be comfortably ridden all the time
very good points. They will get a good feeling for what boards they like and that will lower the risk of making a mistake if they decide to spend more later. I often see $1500 boards for sale on marketplace having only been ridden once because its the wrong size or wrong feel.
Dissagre mate, to many beginers on crap boards. Fish out some $$ and get a proper board if your serious about surfing..
@@Chris_Genex Unless surfing pays your bills, you should be serious about having fun, not about surfing. Cheap is not crap either. Very good and fun boards out there for $500.
@@robertical The majority of cheap boards are sh*t mate, and in my experience only hinder your progression. If you want to have "fun" just stick to your boogie board then..
@@Chris_Genex i mention in the video my first board was crap.It had a bad shape and was poorly made. Maybe you didn't get that part. TLDR - There are ok cheap boards and very bad cheap boards. A beginner is often not yet serious about surfing. $500 is a good starting point to see if they like it as long as they choose a good board.
For the average surfer, it doesn’t matter what brand of board you go with. I’ve had some Torq boards that were a blast to ride and were identical dimensions to models of more expensive brands, at 2/3 the cost. If you really want the most out of your boards it’s best to go to a shaper and get a custom board. When a shaper knows what kinds of waves you’re surfing, and your skill level, they will make you a board that is just right for you. And you’ll spend about the same if not less than a board off the rack at your local shop. Also, the right fins for a board make a world of difference.
Thanks for sharing. I agree with you.
Awesome video, great perspective. I purchased an Elemnt EPS midlength recently and have been quite surprised by the build quality and feel of the board
very cool!! Similar experience to me thanks for sharing
Got the Wildcat 6'8 brought for 460. Can't put it down.
@@hman7236 I may need to try that model. !
Definitely noticed the difference from locally made and tuned to local waves. I ordered a semi fish thruster from a shaper in Gisborne New Zealand and hated it riding it in Christchurch New Zealand until i took a trip to Gisborne. The board came alive and loved it.
Excellent video. What a quiver!
Thanks !
this dude is the reason we cant have nice things 😂 how did you buy 100 surfboards in 10 years? thats 10 boards every year.
when you put it like that ... sounds like a lot :) I'm just lucky I didnt get into a more expensive hobby like collecting rare racing cars or aeroplanes. :)
Very informative video! Thank you! I mostly buy second hand boards. I have had 2 EPS pop outs from Thailand. One stayed in almost perfect condition over about 7 years. The other got dinged the first time I surfed it and needed fairly extensive repairs after only a few years. I've also had 2 X2 (Tuflite) pop outs from Thailand. IMO this is a great option for a beginner / intermediate and/or travelling surfer because these boards are almost indestructible!
Thank you for sharing! Great life out of a board
WONDERFUL VIDEO! Thank you 👍. This is something I've struggled with for years. Board selection. Anyone recommending anything over $1000 doesn't have to worry about rent or other bills. Forget it. You can still have fun on cheap boards and not break your bank. I currently surf on a 7ft Wavestorm and 6'8ft Southbay Casper and I'm happy. You have a new subscriber. 😊
Thank you for sharing. Yes you sure can have fun on all sorts of craft! 😀
I bought a 6'2" NSP Thai board in Florida. I liked the way it rode, but was a bit small for my current size and age. But I can get it to move very fast across a wall or shore break if I can get the local bottom to hold and not be dredged out by the strong NE to E winds we can get here. Then the prevailing South current just messes up all those nice Summer time made sand bars and turns the place into a bit of a close out mess. It's one of those Epoxy machine made or mold made brands for $420 US new in like 2021?
sounds like it served you well!
Suport local shapers , a good local shaper can make the same board of big brands. The is marketing a lot of some kids think they will surf better if they have the idol board
There are a few angles to this. I get what you are saying, local shapers can duplicate. They also have their own stuff. The name brands sell better new (and especially second hand) because they have a name and have created desire. Locally shaped boards are often suited to the local waves which is good and can cost less (not always). If they are not well known they have low resale value if that is important. I like the idea of supporting local shapers. They have real costs and they support the local community. That should always be a priority. Also you can build a relationship where they know your surfing very well and can custom aspects of the board just for you that you cant get off the shelf.
Your board collection gives me next level fomo - I need to up my game 😂
go for it!! You have great shapers down there. Check Corey Graham shapes.
@blinksurf I've got a tomo hydroshort helium and that's my one board quiver 😂
@@tezf6883 thats a great shape. I had a few custom rounded nose boards of the same style and they ripped.
Living in cape town I have only bought boards from renowned shapers. The tend to be a bit more heavily glassed due to the amount of kelp in the water at a lot of spots. I have only been disapointed by one of them.
That is a perfect reason to go local. The local shapers know the conditions. I have found my locally shaped boards excel in local waves because they have been tuned to perfection.
What’s up! I’m also Cape Town side. Finally been able to save up and buy a custom shaped board. Was wondering what shaper let you down, don’t want to make a mistake on my first custom. My mates dad owns GROW boards so I was thinking of going to him for a good price but what do you rate?
@@bladeloots9301 Hi mate not going to name and shame as he has also shaped me some peaches. But I rate Stubbs, Also Dave Jenkins, DVG boards and Pierre De Villiers shaped me a gun and a step up that were and are amazing. A proper old school craftsman. GROW boards are great my son had one and loved it.
@@bladeloots9301 not sure if you get access to SMTH but they have been great for me three from three.
for most of us, once we let go of the ego, it should be mostly about performance and durability.
my current favourite board is a Campbell Designed Middle Toe and the board ticks all the boxes for me - build quality, design/performance and even aesthetic
but it is on the more expensive end of things
I would love to find cheaper brands that also do the job
I have the Middle Toe and it is all-time fast and durable. You won't find a cheaper version of that Exoflex feel and quality. I love mine. If you can afford it - the best you can get.
@@blinksurf and I am happy to give Stuey my business
@@thestow35 Me too!
V bottom shapes are a throwback from the 1980 and earlier. They are reliable when the shaper can't get performance from a longer rocker line.
They also pivot from side to side pretty well.
Reckon they somewhat are - tho it depends on your skill level.
I gave the Torq Pod Mod a go for a while and one day realized 'wtf am i doin' haha. It was really sluggish, too boaty, and no give. Great for beginners or even intermediates - but not someone who needs to dig the rail. So again, depends on where you are in your surfing journey. Makes total sense for beginners (don't waste a ton of money on the 'latest and greatest' - you're not going to be able to tell the difference).
Actually, it will end up hurting you - biggest blunder people learning to surf make is (drum roll...) trying to go too small a board, aka too high performance a board, too quick.
Become a pro on the Wavestorm first (or any of these 'cheap' surfboards). Then same size board, but fiberglass or high tech epoxy. Then you're ready... Thanks fro the video.
I agree with this 100% Especially going too small hurts. I did it.
If Kelly Slater surfs better than you on a door or the dinning room table, then any board from FB market place will do.
I agree Kelly Slater could surf any board on FB marketplace. I definitely would not want to.
It's hit and miss. I've brought hundreds of boards over the years and have found that I have no idea what works for me until I get it out in different types of waves. If I find a cheapy I really like I take it to my shaper and get a nice new copy made. He likes finding new nuances when taking templates too.
@@headmondronary2127 thats a good approach. I have measured all my boards and cataloged them in a spreadsheet so I can dial the next board better.
Always felt the PU boards (local & asian) held much of the appeal and satisfaction that skaters get when destroying & wearing out maple laminate decks. They ride great when new, show wear quickly, get a suntan, ding & crease easily but it feels good to wear them out. I look at that dented & dished deck & know that I was getting me some. Then I get to know a new one.
Thats a really cool way to look at it. It IS good to really use something!
I surf custom shaped longboards since 36 years...last year i bought a 10 ft from a french brand for about 300 us dollars...best board i ever surfed!!
What was the name of the company? I am looking for my first board in France with a max budget of £300 ($400)?
@@Chelsea_max i wrote the company, but they erased it...
what a score!
I bought a pin tail channel bottom for about that made in Indonesia and it was an amazing board. A little soft on the glass but it flew! Sold it for almost what I paid.
Here in Europe, Decathlon is selling boards with a fairly good EPS construction for 349 euros. Probably coming from China. I'll give a try with a twin-fin.
oh cool! Let me know how it goes
Nice video, what do you think about NSP boards??
Fine for learning, but too expensive if your just starting out. A 6'6" foam board is the best learner option in my opinion. Big enough to catch anything yet maneuverable enough to progress later on. Also nsp's are one of the heaviest boards out there (learned on a 6'6" nsp back around 2005)
@@MikeNolan_Councilman thank you for your response
I liked riding them in Waikiki they are tough wearing for the rental crowd. They have been around for more than two decades and you could do much worse. I agree a foamy is a good bridge to a fibreglass board. Once you get right into surfing there are awesome boards to unlock like CI Mid / CI MId Twin and similar which are more refined designs beyond the target audience of NSP.
@@blinksurf the other day I've seen a NSP fiberglass board that looked nice, it's not a beginner board, it's a twin fin with a round pin tail, in PU, all for 460 €.... So I was wondering, of course the board was made in Thailand.... I then came to know that behind the design of that model there's a shaper from Hawaii a certain Carl Schaper.
@@andreabordoni2665 I just scrolled through their current lineup of board and it seems they've started making a whole range of boards in a bunch of different constructions. I think you were looking at the Gemini Twin in poly. Looks like a solid option for the price if it's your size. (Sorry for swooping in on your responses blink 😅)
I usually buy local but the one asian made board I had was great. 7 foot rip curl fun board that Im told Maurice Cole designed. It was cheap, glass was solid as a rock and went fantastic. One of my favourite boards of all time.
Thats a very positive story. If Maurice Cole was involved it probably had a nice shape. Thanks for sharing.
how is the elemnt holding up? - their prices are great and the quality looks reasonable...
holding up well !
I've had a really good experience with this board, bought it 2 years ago, having owned other made in china brands and using only epoxy boards, this feels like a good quality board
That's a great confirmation of my findings for this particular board. Thank you for sharing this. 🙌
I had a shaper who made my custom boards for years...then I bought a Wayne Lynch Semigun Surftech Tuflight in a sale for fun and put some carbon fins on it and mate...fastest and toughest board I ever owned! After years of travel, still look like new...I like soulless, stiff things.😂
this highlights why 'local shaper' can have drawbacks. Thanks for sharing. My Wayne Lynch board is a keeper!
I ve had one too felt lifeless from being so stiff I think surfed same speed all the time. Still went ok
@@georgelucas9163 thanks for sharing
"I like soulless, stiff things.😂" ....Thats what she said 😛
😂
Jordy had to be tricked into riding Smith boards in a stab video, now he loves them. Try all different shapes and sizes, you never know what is the magic board. What kind of waves do you surf?
I got the best barrel of my life on a 6 6 SMTH Humanoid quad (ridden with twin keels) in a Cyclone swell. The SMTH Goldfish is perfect in beach breaks and reef breaks. I ride it in anything from mush to head high. Being in Noosa I get large fat cyclone swells to hollow sandy beach breaks.
My olaian 900 shortboard is one of my favorite board. Worth the money
thanks for sharing! I looked up the brand seems like would be fun
i have an olaian fish and it goes pretty well too (at least for me, take in account is my only board)
@@blackbyzon4153 a Fish is all most of us need
@@blackbyzon4153 Bro, the Olaian perf was my surfboard. Unfortunately it doesn't suit the waves I surf the most, so I've bought a PU surfboard from a local shaper. After that I really started appreciating the Olaian. The price, the manufacturing, the shape... Everything it's perfect
Untill i recently bought myself a 6' cymatic ive only ridden second hand boards and ive got to say i probably should have bought a new board earlier,
ive had an vessel eco bean, a vessel hybrid rpm something or rather, a 7s super fish and plenty of other boards ive forgotten and although some have been quite good ive noticed they dont seem to ride in the pocket anywhere near aswell and seem more suited to wally fatter waves. They also dont have the carving capability and some of pu boards in particular just have paper thin glass and get holes in them way too easy.
Just my 2 cents i think if the more expensive board is more durable and will last longer its well worth the money
Some of the life can be sucked from used boards before you buy them. The cymatic is a dynamic board with a progressive bottom shape. New boards feel awesome to ride. Thanks for sharing
@@blinksurf definitely it's verry fast and basically goes wherever you point it
@@eamonglavin2532 yeah I had some great rides on mine in Sydney and the Philippines. It opened my mind to more rounded noses and the concave down the middle made it like a jet.
Thanks for the show i have a quiver but didn't have a midlenght in it so when i walked into this surfshop and saw the price i was like feels good looks good ,,got the blue so i Purchased a 6 '8 Wildcat from the Elemnt same brand paid 480 last spring on sale with a pair of Keel fins. Tryed it this spring due to feeling weird about my purchase and where it was made didn't use all last year this year. Now I cant put it down all my other boards don't get used. I purchased the CI twin fins after trying it with keels and an absolute bullet in the water for this tank 45 litters for me thats alot. But thank you Elemnt Surf for creating a budget friendly board and i will be purchasing the fish next unfortunately cant afford the big brand names anymore. Baby got to eat.😅😅
Thank you for sharing this story. This video was made for this exact purpose. Not everyone has $1500 to spend on a board and there are still some reasonable alternatives out there. No shame in feeding your family.
@@blinksurf 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@blinksurflol
If there's so much handwringing about where a board is made, why don't people make their own boards like they did in decades past? The issue is modern generations have lost the life skills and craftsmanship to make their own boards / houses etc in Australia. It's easy to critique.... go out and make it yourself!
I reckon it would be cool to shape our own boards. Mine would not be very good but it would be cool to try.
I completely agree. I'm 40 years old now, and for the past 7 years, I've been learning to shape. I've made a few boards, and while I don't ride them all, I love them all and the learning process. A couple have been amazing to surf. I've also enjoyed cloning my favorite production boards with slight tweaks to be even more custom for me. Next step is to learn glassing so I don't have to wait for the glasser's schedule to free up and pay him extra.
that sounds really satisfying
I get local shape EPS customs for around $400. I really cant beat that. Then i get hayden future flexs on their black friday sale for around $500. Gotta find deals.
I like getting deals too. Thanks for sharing that's a wicked score.
What would be the best board for around 7’6 length for a price around 400/500£ been looking at MF beastie and tiki fish board but Nts? Any advice
I would get the MF Beastie. It is the top selling model. Ive recommended a few of my friends that and they love it. I might have to get one to test!!
Tiki fish goes great, I have it in 7’2, it’s a chunk but solid and pretty fast. The fins it comes with are crap, a set of future quads of eBay are £30 and make loads of difference. I’ve surfed it from knee high to overhead and it’s delivering 🎉
recently picked up a surftech DMS for $100. best $100 I've ridden
Bargain!!
Aloha Twin D with AM twin plus trailer - low cost but awesome.
thanks for sharing!
My aloha was made in china
@@FreshwaterFloof yes, pretty sure it is owned by the same company who makes the board I reviewed here.
I got a custom pyzel that was used (perfect condition looks like it was used for pictures 😂) for only 400usd
Bargain!!! There are gems out there
Custom boards are the go unless you can get x team boards
I wonder how long an X team board will last? Have had many of those?
Please buy your surfboards at your local surf shops. You're helping your communities, but also used the boards accordingly to your surf locations.
how would you say that compares to buying directly from the shaper?
@@blinksurf Where I live. Local surfshops are also run by local shapers/designers.
@@aaronvu6292 perfect combo
It's easy to say buy local but boards are too expensive these days. Can't expect the consumers to fund local shops when the local shops and big brands are pricing us out of affordable boards. I'm happy to support Chinese made board brands if I can get them for half or less of the price that rides the same as an Aussie made board that is $1300. Especially when they're all made in a fuckn machine anyway. Who gives a fuck if an Australian put a chunk of foam in a machine or a Chinese bloke. Surfing is so mainstream nowadays that it doesn't matter anymore.
@@boarderz8275 No you are just one of the kooks didn't know the difference between a hand shaped surfboard and a WaveStorm from China.
I bought a well-made groveler local shaper for $635.00 US, and I'm riding it with every wave under 6 feet for more than 2 years.
It's free world you do whatever you want.
Most boards are machine made anyway these days unless youre getting a custom from a local shaper. I couldnt care less if an australian bloke or a chinese bloke put a chunk of foam into a machine. Especially when one is double the price. Surfing has gotten too greedy and locally made boards are too expensive. If you arent getting a handshaped custom theres no point in getting a board from an aussie brand.
thanks for sharing. One factor that is important is the quality of the foam. If that's good, no matter where it is made, the foundations are there.
It's just a board. Simple.
easy to please. I like it.
Only buy hand shaped
Thanks.
V has been around since the 60s.good shapers have spent years perfecting their skill and knowledge so they can supply you with a good workable board also local shaper know their area and produce local boards.if the board you are looking at is not up to standard don’t buy it.a good local shaper will not let an inferior board leave their factory.also stop believing the marketing hype from the vast surfboard makers.fins will turn an ordinary board into a good fun board.remember cheap boards end up in land fill very early a well made board last for decades be responsible with your purchase.
So true. A beautifully made board will last generations. My Wayne Lynch board is 20 years old and its absolutely dreamy to ride.
Cheap surfboards defiantly have a place. All these old school money grabbing shapers are just salty
Some are Salty and it must be hard to see your industry change and become tougher. I do also see some genuine frustration when the local product (particularly innovations in design or construction) might be high quality but people don't know about it or can't afford to pay for it. There is a place for cheap and also custom high end.
@@blinksurf those who want high end will always go to legacy shapers. That is their market. The rest of us want fun boards that don’t coast as much as a car
@@bayly1977 Factz!
Can’t compare phones to surfboards! No surfboard should be made in china! Surfboards shouldn’t be cheap, in my opinion!
People will make them. There is almost nothing that cannot be made cheaper BUT It's up to us the people to decide if we buy them or not.
Sell the board? Yeah reef dings and pressure creases aren't going to hold much value. Even less with the multiple gouges I've epoxied. 😂
some of the boards I have seen listed on Marketplace have a rougher surface then the moon. There is a market for every board - even if you donate it to a grom or give it to the TIP - they will sell it. Someone will paint it and wall-hang it. Another good point though about buying a cheaper new board versus a worn out board.
Love my smth shapes goldfish. thanks for the recommendation.
glad you love it. Mine is a treasured go-to board in my travel quiver. It has been to the Maldives, Philippines, Thailand and all over the East Coast of Australia.
All boards break end of story 1500 dollar 3000 dollar boards your kidding 90 % of people will have no idea why there board dosnt surf well or for that matter does surf well. Pretty hard to beat buyiing your boards in Bali go there without boards buy them there go surfing and bring them back. There are good and bad boards everywhere the materials that are used the craftmanship the choices and price options in Bali 2nd to none
Always fun buying a board on a trip. Great points. I have had a board by Vouch they tell me I will have a hard time breaking. It's a triple plywood Stringer Gun and pretty strong! Thank you for sharing.
Nothing like a freshie with your own dims from your personal shaper.
this is true!
Boards are boards to some it’s better to just have a board
Good video, i think we have to stop thinking that made in china is = s**t. Durability of this board is actually not bad, i had couple of hypto Kripto in the past and the durability was pretty bad for the price.
The only two boards I have snapped ever were 1) Hypto Krypto and 2) Firewire seaside and beyond. Both of then snapped on my second surf. Simple stuff like duck diving and wiping out on a 2 foot wave. Its my opinion they were not well made. I'm pretty sure the Hypto was glassed in a factory they had in Monavale NSW at the time. The Firewire was made in Thailand. I agree with you that we should not generalize.
6 min in and you haven't said anything :/
thanks for the feedback
Craigslist 🤙🏾
yep!
and btw a lots of fins are made in China too.
Correct! And that never seems to get much airplay. I do love fins and I have especially loved the Australian and Hawaiin manufactured fins but some of the good ones are indeed made in Asia.
Ar go flog ya log , eye ride anything and everything, from the dump .. just ask around the tweed gatta , 98% of them can't keep up with me . Even resort to jumping out the car with knife's for me , not counting cheep shot's, you make it I'll brake it , or pass it hear I'll show you how to ride it
you got mad skillz. #rideanything
@@blinksurf hey there. I recently purchase a couple of boards from an au shaper, dylan shape surfboards do u have try them or do u have some opinion on them?
@@rafaariaslago4702 I have yet to try them however I have a high opinion as he shapes big wave guns for pros and clearly knows what he is doing. I'd like to try his boards!
Just say it, FireWire, FireWire, FireWire 😂. Won't touch em with a ten foot pole!
😄 I dont see myself buying another one.
Wow youve got alot disposable income .
thanks for watching
Go ride river wave 😂😂😂 you will change your mind on what is cheap board
hahaha never tried it. I believe you. The Akila Aipa Twin I ride is what JOB rode in his river
I would never ever buy a surfboard from China! That goes against all my consumer ethics needless to say the quality control would be garbage! Support local shapers..
How is the quality control on your phone? BTW I'm all for buying local. Local shapers should improve their service if they want to win. Often they are sloppy with followup and sometimes they mess up the order. Often actually. maybe 20% of the time.
Market Place the only place to shop for surfboards. You can have your surfboard empire boards $1000 - $2000 inflation prices 😂
whoever bought my boards on Marketplace got a bargain. That being said, I've seen a lot of rubbish on there. "Hardly used' boards with craters like the moon's surface are priced way too high.