Surfing Tacoma Quivers

I actually just recently moved to Aptos from SC, but still close enough haha. My lesson was at Pleasure Point, but I plan on checking out Cowells too. Both are beginner friendly from what I understand. I have to travel to CT next week, but I plan on picking up a board when I get back.

 

Regarding softtops


Bought this a couple years ago for my wife to learn on. I’ve also taught friends/loaned it out a bunch. I feel like catch surf/odyssey are higher up on the soft top totem pole than wave storm. That could just be me

 

Just got my first board! The one that was on sale that I was originally looking at and linked to earlier ended up selling out before I can order it. Then I found money n my Venmo account that I forgot about so that justified the more expensive purchase haha. I almost went with a shorter fish tail that was on sale but decided this is a better choice for a beginner. Can’t wait to take it for a test ride!

 

those boards are great, especially for crowds- you can't hurt em. i have two of the Almond R-series soft boards and love em- alot of experienced surfers are riding them now fairly regulary for the fact that you get a ton of waves on em....and you won't be worrying about getting them dinged by some kook either. (we were all kooks at one time)

 

capitola jetty is pretty chill too at the 2-3' range days.....it will get really good on a huge west/northwest swell or South at low tide, then it gets a little competitive out there, but if you know what you're doing you'll be fine. stick with it, and take advice when it's given by experienced surfers, as they might be annoyed, but are probably trying to help you......and barks from locals with a grain of salt, don't get drawn into an altercation, just let em be right and move on- good luck

 

Thanks for the advice! I’m bound to piss someone of at some point, so I just can’t let it get to me.
Still haven’t tried out the board yet, but hoping to rent a wetsuit and take it out this weekend.

Speaking of wet suits, any thoughts on the thickness I should be looking at for my area when I go to purchase one? I was thinking 4/3, but I do tend to run hot. Not sure what I had during my lesson, but I was very comfortable in the water.

 

4/3 for sure

 

Thanks!

 

I wear a 4/3 in Santa Cruz, I usually have a newer one I wear in the winter and keep my older one that’s worn for the summer.

 

4/3 year round in these parts, but you could probably do with just a full 3 mil too- some companies make a 3mil fullsuit.
I have worn alot of suits over the course of surfing for 27 years and i would recommend Rip Curl. Get one with a chest zip, not a back zip. Spend money and get a good suit. It is worth it to get the best, makes a big difference in the water. No need to buy rash guards and paddle gloves. Just a good suit and booties, and incase noone told you, you wear nothing under your suit. Just you and neoprene. Rinse it out well with fresh water when you’re done every time, and hang it to dry but NOT in direct sunlight.
Just tips that noone tells you when you’re new.

 

same here

 

A recent day out- waiting for those offshore days to line up this fall/winter

 

Thanks that’s super helpful! I was actually wondering if as a beginner spending money on a good one right off the bat makes sense. I did notice a lot of people seem to prefer the chest zip, saying that it offers more flexibility. I will take a look at the Rip Curl options.

 

Check out the rip curl outlet on mission in Santa Cruz. Great deals on wetsuits. They are probably last years models but who cares.

 

That’s exactly the place I was going to check out

 

Hardly a beginner, since 1975, but saw this, looked them up and decided I needed a new board. Ended up just getting a plain white 8' model since I couldn't get a kalani lime green or job blue 8' with graphics I wanted. Got blank canvas. Leash, wax, board and shipping $450.



Friend coming from HB to return the 9'6 RA ES to left coast so I have a need and a spot to fill so it made sense even, lol. That and I have an 8' prolite bag that is empty and needs a purpose.

 

Nice! Did you get it on their Black Friday sale? My board was significantly cheaper but also sold out super quick with the sale so I’m happy I got it when I did.

Planned on taking it out for the first time this past weekend, but I ended up getting Covid instead

 

Yeah, did the turkey10 code and saved $48 bucks. The plain white was cheaper by almost $50 iirc....

 

Can any of you compare quicksilver wetsuits size to rip curl?
QS has a good deal on 4/3 hooded suits.
Its a suit that i would prob use the least in fall and spring but i am always cold and like the attached hood.
Ripcurl wants big money for theirs, but the RC suit is my go to for best fit
Have never tried a QS

 

Dont know what QS suits are like now, but they fell apart on me in the past.
Buy last years model of Rip Curl and get geeat deal! Thats what i always do each year is get the “old” model as aoon as they release the newest model suit