Decisions decisions….

I went shopping for boards today. Dave over as Wise spent about 40 minutes talking to me. He gave me a pretty good idea of what I should be looking for and what kind of level of board I have to choose from for the size I want.

Now I’m down to the tough part, choosing.

I can go for a super durable NSP Board. It’s 9’2 and I was hoping for something 9 even, but it will take substantial abuse. I like the styling on this one better than option 2, but this is also the same type of board NorCal rents out so I’ll still look like I’m renting. Having ridden this board, I’m a little meh on how it feels. Not a huge deal. Looking at around $500-550 for this board.

The Walden Magic Model is the size I want, it’s a better quality board, but more fragile. Way more likely to get dinged up. Normally this board retails for $750, it’s currently on sale for $550. It’s lighter, more flexible and pretty versatile. I thought the styling was a little bland, but the rest of the performance features seemed nice. Reviews put this board as a staple.

Both boards are around the same price and supposedly good for someone in my skill level in the conditions I surf.

If I want to go all out, there’s this one:

Running at about $850, this board would be on the higher end. Pretty sleek, responsive and the stlyes Wise had in stock were pretty nice looking. A Stewart Hydrohull is on craigslist right now for $450. It’s longer than I want (9’4″) but I’m staring at it anyway. It’s decent looking and the styling I prefer. Hmmm.

I know I definitely want a board. Having the same board to surf whenever I want will make getting better a lot easier. Plus I’ve already spent about $300 renting. I’ve got $600 set aside and I think this is pretty doable. The big decisions are used or new, price, and personal preference. At my skill level I’m not going to notice performance as sharply as someone who’s been surfing a long time.

I’d kinda like a nice board, but I know I’ll mostly be falling down in junky surf and probably dinging it here and there. Any time I try to buy the top of the line anything I wind up talking myself into the more sensible buy. I keep thinking I should get a more durable board and surf the crap out of it for a year, then someday get a better board. Or shop around. I spend too much time agonizing and weighing my options, but usually once I’m done I’m good.

I can’t make up my mind just yet. I’ll sleep on it and hope no one snatches up the sale board in the mean time.