The Surfing Blog

The GoofBoard is a new balance trainer (similar to the Indo Board) that has been specifically designed for surfers.

The GoofBoard was created by Armin Brown, “for surfers as a way to bring home the surf riding experience AND return to waves the better for it.” Armin was looking to create a balance trainer that simulated the feeling of trimming down the face of a small wave, while offering a true rail-to-rail surfing feel.

Now, I’ve been an IndoBoard user for many years, and while fun, I never thought it did a good job of simulating the balance needed for surfing. And, this is where I think the GoofBoard really shines…it feels a lot like surfing, and the balance needed to Goof is almost identical to the balance needed to surf and trim on waves. I’ve been using my GoofBoard for about a week, and have been having a great time learning and improving. It has been an awesome source of entertainment for me and my friends……they’ve been coming over for GoofBoard contests and style practice!

4 Reasons I Love the GoofBoard:

1. GoofBoard allows you to stand in proper surfing stance…meaning, you can stand on the GoofBoard using the exact stance you use on your surfboard.

2. Goofboard allows you to walk (cross step) up and down the deck…very similar to longboarding. So, if you’ve been wanting to practice or improve your cross-step, GoofBoard is definitely the right equipment to use when not surfing.

3. GoofBoard focuses more on side-to-side balance, rather than front to back balance. Notice the GoofBoard places the pipe parallel to the board, which helps to simulate rail-to-rail surfing very well.

4. GoofBoard does help to improve leg strength and can offer a bit of a workout. Basically, balancing equipment like the Goofboard helps to build intrinsic (small) muscles in the foot, ankle and lower leg, which improves balance and coordination. Additionally, I think it even helps to exercise the core, which is an important area for stabilization.

Below are some photos of Patty using the GoofBoard:

Cross Stepping

Hang Five

Hang Ten

Video of GoofBoard creator, Armin Brown, displaying some serious style:

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First, I’ve never been a huge Surftech fan (I always thought the boards were too light), but i can honestly say that the Donald Takayama In the Pink longboard is the best Surftech longboard and maybe the best overall longboard that I’ve EVER ridden. I promise that I’m not over hyping ;).

After reading countless reviews, I opted to buy the Surftech model. I figured that I could use a good quality, durable road trip longboard. So, I bought the 9′6″ Surftech model and have been riding it with the 2+1 fin setup, using the fins that came with the board. It was good timing because hurricane season is in full swing on the East Coast (I’m in FL), and I’ve already had this board out in a variety of conditions. It’s performed great in all of them.

Wave Catching Ability
First, the board is very easy to paddle and catches waves like a machine. Surftech’s are known to float better than standard poly boards, this coupled with the small amount of nose rocker, does help the board easily paddle and catch waves. Now, if you’re not careful the board will pearl in choppier surf (because of the flatter nose rocker), but that’s an easy fix by sitting further down from the top of the nose while paddling into waves.

Surfing Performance
The In the Pink model is all about performance - noseriding performance and maneuverability. The nose on the board is 24inches wide offering plenty of stable room for noseriding. If you like riding the nose, you will love this board, its one of the best noseriders that I have ridden, and the best Surftech longboard lineup (IMO).

The harder edge rails and 2+1 fin setup really help the boards turning ability. It’s great for drawing long lines with cutbacks OR doing quicker, more vertical turns and hitting the lip.

Below is a pic of the fin setup that comes standard with the board:

In the Pink Surftech vs. Poly Model
For this particular longboard, I would not hesitate to buy the Surftech model. Through the years, most of the complaints about Surftech boards have been focused on the lack of flex or the boards being too light or the fact that they don’t ride well in choppy surf. Now, I do not find any of these as being a hinderance for the In the Pink model. Typically, I do prefer standard poly foam and resin longboards, but Surftech and Donald Takayama have done a great job with this model longboard and everything about it just seems to work…even in choppier surf conditions.

Now that i have ridden this board multiple times, I think the Surftech model is definitely the way to go. I think the performance and longterm durability of a Surftech board will help ease the pain of In the Pink’s $1000 price tag.

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The Surf Sleeve is a new, patent pending idea that will save you from rash caused by your board shorts chaffing your inner thighs. This chaffing often happens to surfers who wear wetsuits all year, and then once summer or a warm water surf trip comes up, they switch to boardshorts and the shorts rub their inner thighs raw. The rash is super unpleasant and will often cause you to walk funny and be in a lot of pain the next time you surf.

The Surf Sleeve consists of two sleeves, made of a mixture of lycra and nylon, that fit over your thighs. They are similar to wearing biker shorts, without having the feeling of wearing tight shorts under your boardshorts because they only cover your thighs. Since they are separate sleeves, you can carry them in your pocket and put them on or take them off out in the lineup. They truly are a simple idea that work really well.

I recently tried them out while surfing down in Waikiki on one of those 12’ foam boards. Every time I surf a large foam board I get the rash really bad because of the chaffing that occurs when sitting up on the board. I surfed for a good 3 hours and had no rash. Not even a little. They worked great. I was worried they would bunch up after awhile out on the water, but the sleeves have a couple rings on the inside made of a grippy material that keeps them in place. It is also important to measure your thighs before purchasing them so that you buy the right size. Having the correct size allows them to fit snug and work like they are supposed to.

The Surf Sleeve isn’t just for surfing large foam boards though. It is made for anytime you surf. A great time for them is for the cold-water surfer who is going on a surf trip to a warm water destination. Imagine being on an Indo boat trip and getting bad short rash on the first day. The next couple days of 6-10 hours or surfing are going to hurt. If you pack the Surf Sleeve, your rash problems will be solved and you will be able to surf all day and make the most of your trip.

I have been told other methods for avoiding the killer inner thigh rash. I have tried them all and let me tell you why they don’t work as well as the Surf Sleeve.

Vaseline- This method involves buying Vaseline and rubbing it on your inner thighs before you paddle out. This kind of prevents the rash but I consider it a failed idea because you have to rub up your thighs with slimy Vaseline. Not only do you have to cover your thighs in petroleum jelly, but it starts to ruin your boardshorts and it makes your hand super slimy while you are out surfing, which can cause you to fall sometimes when you are trying to push yourself up.

Shaving- This method requires you to shave either your inner thighs or your legs completely depending on your preference. Preference or not, having shaved patches on your inner thighs most likely will cause your friends to harass you non-stop and I doubt it will go over well with the ladies. On the other option, shaving your legs completely will most likely cause cross dressers to look twice when you are walking down the street. This method also doesn’t always completely avoid rash. You can still rash with no hair on your inner thighs.

Wear two pairs of shorts- When I heard this idea I didn’t even try it. Wear two pairs of boardshorts? Companies spend tons of money to make boardshorts that weigh less, stretch more and allow the surfer to feel les constricted while surfing. Throwing on an extra pair of boardshorts means you’ll feel nice and bulky while surfing, look like a kook, and have to spend more money. Not a good idea. Wearing biker shorts might be for some people, but just isn’t my cup of tea. I don’t like the feeling of super tight shorts.

No Rash boardshorts- I have tried a couple of these trunks and some work and some don’t. Whether they work or not, they are super expensive at around $70. If you buy the Surf Sleeve you can wear them with any and all the boardshorts you own.

So if you suffer from inner thigh rash, pick up The Surf Sleeve to solve your problems. They only cost $20 and will save you from walking funny all summer long. If you know of any other methods that keep you rash free, let us know.

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A while back thesurfingblog did a review on the 8’ foam board that you most likely have seen in your local lineup over the last couple years that we all know as the Wavestorm. In the last couple years, the Wavestorm has been the go to board for those beginning to surf and for those just looking into buying a longboard for super small days because of its cheap price and decent performance. With the popularity of SUP surfboards taking off, it was only a matter of time before we saw a Wavestorm SUP board. Here is our take on why you will, or already have seen the big blue SUP boards at your local spot.

PRICE

China pop out or not, the board is cheap. Regular SUP boards start out above $1,000 while the Wavestorm SUP will run you $469.99 plus tax. Unless you are a hardcore SUP surfer, spending over a grand on something you might only take out a couple times a year doesn’t make economic sense.  The $500 price tag of the Wavestorm alone makes it super appealing. The craziest thing about buying your board from Costco that you won’t ever, ever find anywhere else, is their return policy. Yes, if you take out the board and you aren’t happy with it, take it back for a full refund. It doesn’t even have to be broken or defective in order to return it.  If you simply just don’t want it anymore, you can take the board back and get all your money back.

DURABILITY

Wavestorm surfboards are foam. They aren’t the kind of foam you see in surfboard blanks, but they are a very condensed foam that doesn’t suck up water. The design of this foam is perfect for making a safe and durable board. When they made the SUP board they didn’t skimp on the use of foam and created quite a thick board that will be able to take some beatings and float a lot of weight. By no means are we claiming the board is unbreakable. But unless you are surfing a Teahupoo like wave, (not recommended) it should be quite a hard board to break. All those times you hit the door frame while you are trying to lug your 10’+ SUP board out the door won’t phase the board a bit.

SAFETY

SUP boards are large, thus making them hard to maneuver in the lineup for those learning to surf them. Unfortunately my experiences with SUP boards in the lineup have been scary more often than not. An advantage of the Wavestorm board is that the foam won’t cause as much damage to the learning SUP surfer or others in the lineup when things go wrong. Regular SUP boards are large, heavy and hard.  They can cause severe damage when surfers are just learning to ride a SUP. Wavestorm boards are great for beginner SUP surfer because the foam will be much more forgiving while you are still learning. Remember that even if you have shortboarded your whole life, riding a SUP is going to be a whole new experience. Foam boards are your friend.

USABILITY

Like all SUP surfboards, Wavestorm boards are just as good as any SUP for more than just surfing. When you wake up and the waves are flat, you can pull out your Wavestorm SUP and go paddle around for a good workout or just to cruise the sea. While you are out paddling you can experience the freedom of being out at sea and can really take in the natural beauty around you. If you are lucky you will be visited by dolphins, whales, but hopefully not by our good friend “whitey”. If you are a surfer living inland, or just someone who is interested in surfing, the Wavestorm is a perfect board to cruise around on at the lake. It’ll be much cheaper and work just as good as a very expensive board.

Overall, if you are planning on taking up SUP surfing and don’t have a $1000+ budget, the Wavestorm SUP board is your best option. Like the famous blue Wavestorm longboard, it is the perfect beginners board. Even if you are a hardcore SUP surfer and already have a board or two that cost you a lot of money, you should invest in a Wavestorm board for that day when your neighbor or friend wants to give SUP boarding a try and you don’t want him using one of your expensive babies.

If you have used one or already own one of these big blue boards, let us know what you think. Would you recommend them to fellow surfers? How do you feel about these boards being sold at Costco?

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On the West side of Oahu, J. Richardson has been making surfboards since he was 16. He started making boards because he needed something to ride the waves and he didn’t want to pay others to make boards for him. He never thought it would be anything more than making boards for his own quiver. B