If you are a beginner who is taking surfing lessons, there is a good chance that you will start off with a longboard. There are three main types of boards used for surfing; the shortboard which is traditionally used by more experienced surfers, the longboard which while harder to maneuver is the easiest to stand up on, and the ‘minimal’ which is somewhere in between the other two boards in terms of length. Cheap longboards are the easiest for beginners to learn to stand up on, as at nine to ten feet in length, there is more room for the inexperienced surfer to get to his feet. Modern day longboards do not have the same limitations when it comes to paddling out or maneuvering as the old-style longboards had.
Top Brands Of Longboards And Cost
The very best brands of longboards are those that are custom made, however custom made longboards and surfboards for sale are very expensive. If you are looking for good cheap longboards you may want to look over some that are made by BIC, NSP or Southpoint. They all make great starter longboards for fairly reasonable prices; though you will probably pay close to $400 to $500 for one. You can also find cheaper brands online, such as those made by Liquid Shredder, but even their soft longboard costs around $350 new.
Of course, you can find some very cheap longboards online if you are willing to purchase a second hand board. For example, on eBay you can often find them for around $250.
Another great place to pick up a longboard is at a nearby surf shop, where you can also pick up men’s board shorts, cheap wetsuits and other items you may need. They often have good prices on new boards, plus they frequently sell second hand boards. The great thing about buying from a surf shop is that you will be able to feel the board, check it over and you can also usually get some great advice on the best type of board to buy from those who are usually experienced with surfboards.
For many people, especially those just learning to surf, this is an ideal way to buy cheap longboards. There are some pitfalls to be aware of when shopping for secondhand really cheap longboards, however.
What To Look For When Buying A Secondhand Longboard
If you are planning on buying a secondhand longboard you will want to keep a few things in mind, especially if you are buying one online. First of all, you will not be able to see any defects from looking at photos, nor will you be able to tell how heavy the board is; though hopefully they should provide you with this information. Shipping costs are also quite high, especially if it is being sent from another city or across the country as longboards are quite heavy; so remember to factor that into the overall cost when deciding on which board to buy.
It is usually recommended to buy a board with fins. With older boards you may find, once the board arrives, that it is virtually impossible to find the right fins for it if it uses the removable type.
If you are able to handle the board you should look for things such as cracks or soft spots, especially around the nose, fins and tail areas. If a board is cracked it will eventually begin to soak up water which will affect its performance. Also, feel how heavy other similar surfboards are; if the one you are looking at is considerably heavier, especially if there is any discoloration, it may already be somewhat water logged.
Summary
If you are planning on checking out cheap longboards for sale you may want to take someone along with you who is familiar with surfboards. They will not only be able to tell you if you are really getting a good deal, but they can help you choose the right sized board and notice if there are any problems with the board.