softech surfboard
Softies are great fun, cheap as secondhand look around on gumtree.
Somebody at DeeWhy has over 100 new ones for sale from $139.
i've had a 'foamie' in my quiver for the last 6-8 years, now. i use a super short one, about 5'6" (i'm 6', about 80kgs). used to be better when the clubbies left you alone in the flags but now they chase you out even if you steer clear of the swimmers and use a leggie, especially if you aren't a beginner.
great for summer slop, closeouts and will paddle into a wave as early as a mal.
think those softech ones can get rigid fins. that's the go.
Here's what can be done on a softtop - Michael Chapple threading a pit on C Watch
Damn fine tube.
Jamie Obrien barrell on a softtop on his instagram
Skill !
Do they use normal wax?
Groundswell- I don't believe they require wax at all. The traction of the material is enough. Though if you want to wax a softie for a tiny bit more traction, the material allows it, but I don't think it's supa necessary.
They're great boards for having fun in small surf. Also really in shallow reef breaks or point breaks with critical drops - if you crash it doesn't matter - do dings to worry about. Also super easy to transport on me surf bike rack: https://surfgearlab.com/collections/surfing/products/surfboard-bike-rack
It’s a great addition to the quiver. I bought a 6’0” foamie with FCS 1 plugs for my 4yo son but to be honest I use it more myself. Great for surfing shallow reefs that run along the rocks as the tide drops or little weak beach breaks. Wouldn’t be as good on a ledgy hollow reef, but that’s probably a reflection of both the fact that it’s not a ‘high-end’ softie and my surfing… In those waves I’ll just take my standard shorty out anyway. And I spent a bit of time in Perth on those horrible straighthander board snappers so it’s good for that. I’m back on the east coast now.
My sons are still young and learning, so it’s often easier to just take one board to the beach (along with all the other crap…). It’s a good board for them - plenty of float and if it bounces up it doesn’t hurt them. What it meant for me was that I was able to get stoked on waves that I’d have turned my nose up at before. With the limited time you have as a dad with young kids it’s better than not surfing. And I’m a happier surfer, despite surfing less often and in worse waves. The tangential benefit is that I find I take myself less seriously when I’m out on it, and thus have more fun. And the Stoke seems to be reflected back from others in the water.
It’s also a great complement to a handplane and fins. Easier to throw those in the bag and if my sons are spending lots of time on the board I’ll just bodybash. And I’d rather ride a short softie than a longboard. (I just don’t enjoy longboarding that much)
Do it.
Edit: I wax mine. Found that no wax was fine for trimming but my feet would slip off doing turns. Just a light wax makes all the difference.
the waves where i live rarely get better than a 2ft closeout breaking pretty much on the beach, and ive broken numerous boards pulling into dumpy close outs - nothing more frustrating than breaking a board in shit surf.
saw someone surfing one of those softech foamies the other day and he looked like was having the best time in otherwise average surf.
just wondering if anyone knew much about them, could be a worthy addition to the quiver but at around $300 id like to know if its worth the money.
cheers fellas