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**Mickeroo** · 25-07-2011, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by IPAM

Cheers, hopefully won't be too warm on days like yesterday

No worries

My "summer suit" is a 5/3 but there's a few holes in it, built in coolant system for the hot weather

oldguysrip · 20-08-2011, 10:12

A heads up for beginners, as a ding repairer I get loads of Chinese Alder, Cortez, Rocky Point, Tama reef and similar boards with the fins falling out after a little tap because structurally they are poorly constructed. They are a bitch to fix correctly because there is no structure to support the fin system and I cannot get the same replacement boxes. I rarely see NSP, Bic or Circle one boards.

newtosurf · 13-09-2011, 15:02

Hi there I'm fairly new to surfing, just started in the summer but ive caught the bug and im already hooked!! Surf mainly at tullan and rossnowlagh due to its proximity to home( only an hour and 15mins away). I want to buy a decent wetsuit and board that will do me for a few years. I'm a beginner and have tried the softboards but really want to get onto a better board to progress. I have been recommended an 8ft cortez as a board that will be great to learn on and do me a few years, what do people think??
Also what sort of wetsuit should I go for I want something at decent quality, I'm guessing a 5/3 is my best option as I want to surf in the winter. Where is reasonable to buy? Billabong has been recommended at a surf shop but I see people here dont rate it that highly!!!
All comments greatly appreciated!!!

**Mickeroo** · 13-09-2011, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtosurf

Hi there I'm fairly new to surfing, just started in the summer but ive caught the bug and im already hooked!! Surf mainly at tullan and rossnowlagh due to its proximity to home( only an hour and 15mins away). I want to buy a decent wetsuit and board that will do me for a few years. I'm a beginner and have tried the softboards but really want to get onto a better board to progress. I have been recommended an 8ft cortez as a board that will be great to learn on and do me a few years, what do people think??
Also what sort of wetsuit should I go for I want something at decent quality, I'm guessing a 5/3 is my best option as I want to surf in the winter. Where is reasonable to buy? Billabong has been recommended at a surf shop but I see people here dont rate it that highly!!!
All comments greatly appreciated!!!

I've not used Cortez boards but apparently they have a tendency to ding quite easily(check out the post just before yours), but as for the size 8ft is fine for a first board. Check the classifieds for 2nd hand bics or nsps, they're good for learning on and will hold their value when you want to sell them on.

Kind of repeating myself from earlier in the thread but anyway

If you plan on surfing through the winter then you'd be aswell to spend most your budget on a good suit, 5/3 is grand for winter, you'll most likely need a hood and booties too, gloves are no harm either but I've not found them completely necessary. I would stay away from the likes of Billabong or Quicksilver, anyone I know who got one of their suits had them fall apart after a couple of months of regular use. Good brands to look at are C-Skins, Xcel, Rip Curl and O'Neill(probably a bit cheaper than the other 3). A friend of mine has an Alder suit which seems decent enough and might be a bit cheaper but I'm not sure how good they are as a whole.

When getting the suit its best to get it from a local surf shop rather than online, you can try it on so you know it fits, also some places will match a price you find online on occasion. It's worth seeing if there's any good deals on last seasons suits on the bargain rails.

cornbb · 13-09-2011, 15:39

Howdy, welcome to the forum.

I reckon C-Skins suits are sturdy and offer good value for money. 5/3 is a must in this country. Try a few on and see what you like.

As for boards, I've never seen a Cortex but FWIW I used a Circle One epoxy board for years and found it to be pretty bomb-proof.

newtosurf · 15-09-2011, 11:38

Guys thanks alot for the replies, much appreciated.

I have kind of narrowed it down, I am stuck between getting an 8ft Cortez or an 8ft Pup from Westbay.

What i am stuck on is would it be easier to resell the cortez than the westbay if I needed too.
Also would it be cheaper to fix any dings in the cortez rather than the westbury! I know the westbury is handmade custom which is brilliant, but the cortez are more common and teherfore might resell better if need be!
Any thoughts?

**Mickeroo** · 15-09-2011, 12:13

I think the westbay woud be a better quality board, will hold it's value better than the cortez if you look after it, you'd find it easier to sell if anything I think.

newtosurf · 15-09-2011, 13:42

Thanks for the rep Mick. I have kind of honed in on this board:

http://www.westbaysurfboards.co.uk/thepup/

Its called the pup:

What would you think of it as a board for beginner and also resale/selling.
It says it is firbreglass and epoxy - would this be easy enough to repair if it got cracked or a ding?

Thanks

**Mickeroo** · 15-09-2011, 18:37

Looks like a nice board. Seems to be made with beginners in mind so if you can afford it, go for it!

It'll be a good board to develop on when you get a bit better too I would think, if you look after it you'll have no problem selling it on.

As for repairs, it's not going to be as bomb proof as the plastic boards so you should be fairly careful with it, however minor dings wouldn't be hard to repair at all and you'd probably manage it yourself, a professional is always going to do a better job though

newtosurf · 16-09-2011, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickeroo

Looks like a nice board. Seems to be made with beginners in mind so if you can afford it, go for it!

It'll be a good board to develop on when you get a bit better too I would think, if you look after it you'll have no problem selling it on.

As for repairs, it's not going to be as bomb proof as the plastic boards so you should be fairly careful with it, however minor dings wouldn't be hard to repair at all and you'd probably manage it yourself, a professional is always going to do a better job though

Good man mick - thanks alot!

spaceHopper · 19-09-2011, 12:58

If you look after the pup it will stand to you, being epoxy it will be though but the type of foam used it has a tendency to soak up water if it gets a ding. Don't let that put you off remember it will be solid.

If you get on take the board out of the water and fix it or get it fixed. A tube if epoxy suncure would fix most dings and if it's bad, most ding repair places can fix it for you, where are you?

newtosurf · 19-09-2011, 16:47

Space Hopper - thanks for the reply, yeah the pups do seem good, but would teh cortez be easier fixed than the pup?
Based in Co Tyrone

spaceHopper · 19-09-2011, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by newtosurf

Space Hopper - thanks for the reply, yeah the pups do seem good, but would teh cortez be easier fixed than the pup?
Based in Co Tyrone

No there's no reason it would be easier to fix they would be much the same. Maybe even the pup would be easier it fix as it has no gel coat to color match

Ronnie Beck · 19-12-2011, 22:47

Good stickie. I'd recommend a 5/4 not a 5/3 if you plan to surf from december - march/april ... with a hood built in and gloves too

. No point in being cold

in the water.

ben bennett · 10-01-2012, 11:19

please dont go near cortez ,worst boards around cheap and shiny but no volume in tail and any beginer or improver i have seen on them really strugle, just done ride that well. Lots of shops selling them now as beginner boards but no good at all i reckon, better of spending the extra few bob if you can, bic nsp are the way forward you will learn much quicker, catch more waves, have more fun and sell for better price when your moving on. which should be for at least a year na d a half or so.

19-12-2011, 22:47	#44
Ronnie Beck Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Galway Posts: 1,268 Adverts \| Friends	Winter Wetsuits Good stickie. I'd recommend a 5/4 not a 5/3 if you plan to surf from december - march/april ... with a hood built in and gloves too. No point in being cold in the water. Last edited by Ronnie Beck; 19-12-2011 at 22:49.

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20-08-2011, 10:12	#32
oldguysrip Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13 Adverts \| Friends	A heads up for beginners, as a ding repairer I get loads of Chinese Alder, Cortez, Rocky Point, Tama reef and similar boards with the fins falling out after a little tap because structurally they are poorly constructed. They are a bitch to fix correctly because there is no structure to support the fin system and I cannot get the same replacement boxes. I rarely see NSP, Bic or Circle one boards.

13-09-2011, 15:02	#33
newtosurf Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tyrone Posts: 5 Adverts \| Friends	Hi there I'm fairly new to surfing, just started in the summer but ive caught the bug and im already hooked!! Surf mainly at tullan and rossnowlagh due to its proximity to home( only an hour and 15mins away). I want to buy a decent wetsuit and board that will do me for a few years. I'm a beginner and have tried the softboards but really want to get onto a better board to progress. I have been recommended an 8ft cortez as a board that will be great to learn on and do me a few years, what do people think?? Also what sort of wetsuit should I go for I want something at decent quality, I'm guessing a 5/3 is my best option as I want to surf in the winter. Where is reasonable to buy? Billabong has been recommended at a surf shop but I see people here dont rate it that highly!!! All comments greatly appreciated!!!

13-09-2011, 15:39	#35
cornbb Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,433 Adverts \| Friends	Howdy, welcome to the forum. I reckon C-Skins suits are sturdy and offer good value for money. 5/3 is a must in this country. Try a few on and see what you like. As for boards, I've never seen a Cortex but FWIW I used a Circle One epoxy board for years and found it to be pretty bomb-proof.

15-09-2011, 11:38	#36
newtosurf Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tyrone Posts: 5 Adverts \| Friends	Guys thanks alot for the replies, much appreciated. I have kind of narrowed it down, I am stuck between getting an 8ft Cortez or an 8ft Pup from Westbay. What i am stuck on is would it be easier to resell the cortez than the westbay if I needed too. Also would it be cheaper to fix any dings in the cortez rather than the westbury! I know the westbury is handmade custom which is brilliant, but the cortez are more common and teherfore might resell better if need be! Any thoughts?

15-09-2011, 12:13	#37
Mickeroo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Not here Posts: 10,330 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Halo, Nature & Bird Watching, Surfing, Zoology	I think the westbay woud be a better quality board, will hold it's value better than the cortez if you look after it, you'd find it easier to sell if anything I think.

15-09-2011, 13:42	#38
newtosurf Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tyrone Posts: 5 Adverts \| Friends	Thanks for the rep Mick. I have kind of honed in on this board: http://www.westbaysurfboards.co.uk/thepup/ Its called the pup: What would you think of it as a board for beginner and also resale/selling. It says it is firbreglass and epoxy - would this be easy enough to repair if it got cracked or a ding? Thanks

15-09-2011, 18:37	#39
Mickeroo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Not here Posts: 10,330 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Halo, Nature & Bird Watching, Surfing, Zoology	Looks like a nice board. Seems to be made with beginners in mind so if you can afford it, go for it! It'll be a good board to develop on when you get a bit better too I would think, if you look after it you'll have no problem selling it on. As for repairs, it's not going to be as bomb proof as the plastic boards so you should be fairly careful with it, however minor dings wouldn't be hard to repair at all and you'd probably manage it yourself, a professional is always going to do a better job though

19-09-2011, 12:58	#41
spaceHopper Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 992 Adverts \| Friends	If you look after the pup it will stand to you, being epoxy it will be though but the type of foam used it has a tendency to soak up water if it gets a ding. Don't let that put you off remember it will be solid. If you get on take the board out of the water and fix it or get it fixed. A tube if epoxy suncure would fix most dings and if it's bad, most ding repair places can fix it for you, where are you?

19-09-2011, 16:47	#42
newtosurf Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Tyrone Posts: 5 Adverts \| Friends	Space Hopper - thanks for the reply, yeah the pups do seem good, but would teh cortez be easier fixed than the pup? Based in Co Tyrone

10-01-2012, 11:19	#45
ben bennett Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 30 Adverts \| Friends	please dont go near cortez ,worst boards around cheap and shiny but no volume in tail and any beginer or improver i have seen on them really strugle, just done ride that well. Lots of shops selling them now as beginner boards but no good at all i reckon, better of spending the extra few bob if you can, bic nsp are the way forward you will learn much quicker, catch more waves, have more fun and sell for better price when your moving on. which should be for at least a year na d a half or so.