There must be a euro brand softtop that is available at a decent price point there and is well made. They are all made in China either way so I don't see why they need to be so expensive.Rob_85 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:11 pmThey are good suggestions, but in the UK the Odysea boards are nearly £300 (over $400)! Can’t seem to find the wave bandit.
Ignoring price, do you think they’re better to start on than mini monster, nugget, ....other surf boards others have suggested.... etc.?
I don't think you can ignore price. Do you know where my first strapless surfboard is? Neither do I because I lost it when the wind died and I had to swim in.
The great thing about these boards is they will take abuse or even get lost and you wont be too upset. Overpowered coming in to the beach and you want to focus on landing your kite without worrying about your board, no problem, let it wash up on the shore it'll be fine. Try that with your $800 epoxy board ...
Hit the board with your harness hook on a fall? Epoxy board your session is done, Shinnster or softtop you don't even notice.
Another huge plus is that they can hit you in the face and you laugh it off, as opposed to heading in to get stitches.
I haven't tried either of those boards listed, but I think they are both more suited to flat water than waves. If it were down to just those two I'd get the Nugget if I knew I wanted a LW specific SB in my quiver and the mini monster otherwise. Now the only reason I'd want a LW specific SB is for cases where you have nice ground swell + 12-14 knots of wind. I wouldn't buy the Nugget for LW flat water.
Other boards I can offer advice on:
LF Kite Fish 5-3: my first board, I lost it and don't miss it. this thing is crap
Slingshot SP 5-0: LW specific surfboard much like Nugget, too wide most of the time (still works well for tadem wake surfing with the kids though)
Shinnster 5-3: super fun and super smooth, makes everything you do look good. no good in the air
Cab Secret Weapon 5-2: good in the air and on the wave but annoying the rest of the time, doesn't ride backwards for shit
Slinshot Verve 6-0: total tank, yuk
OR Duke 5-4: good lake board, not good for actual on wave surfing
OR Jester 5-2: great lake board, great for strapless airs, again no good on wave
Exile DC Skim 4-3 finless: kick ass LW skimboard that stays fun and challenging in 8 knots
WB Performer 4-10: the dream board, since I got it I barely ride my $800 expoxy boards anymore
Odysea Stump 5-0: decent but too heavy and wide compared to the Performer 4-10