Smorgasboarder_23_Feb_2016-s

CLOSEOUT: TEST EVERYTHING
SET
ABLAZE
Recently my kids have taken to the
surfing bug. “At last!” I thought to
myself, having never wanted to push
them into it. They have always been
happy to splash about but never
over-the-top enthused. I just hoped
that one-day when they got older
we might all share a few waves out
the back together. I suppose it is the
dream of many a surfing dad or mum.
Of late my daughter Phoebe in
particular has really started getting
into it. She has surfed off and
on throughout summer for a few
years now and is developing into a
competent surfer. Give her a month
and she will already be better than
her dad but that is not really saying
much.
Anyhow, at the level she is at now
I thought I would review the board
that is best suited to her ability and
the waves Phoebe is riding. And yes,
it is still a softboard. When kids are
learning to surf a fibreglass surfboard
is a danger to themselves and to those
around them if they can’t control it,
let alone ride it. Believe me, I saw
many a kid (and a few adult learners)
wielding their weapons throughout
the Christmas holidays. LEARN on a
softboard! They are not uncool. Their
graphics nowadays make them look
like a “proper” surfboard anyway. And
they are a lot cooler than sporting a set
of stitches from where the board gave
you a new piercing you didn’t plan on.
In previous years Phoebe had been
on an 8’ softboard - the perfect
learner size in my opinion. Not too
unwieldy and big, and large enough
to provide a good stable platform. As
she progressed however she wanted
something that was a little more
manoeuvrable so she could get a feel
for turning on the wave but that still
had good float and paddle power. The
solution turned out to be a 5’10” El
Nino Fish.
This board turned out to be ideal and
really elevated her surfing through
the summer break. It may be short
at less than 6’ but it still has plenty
of volume. It’s length made it easy
to whip around and the extra wide
fish tail provided the stability she
still needed. The thickness provided
the float and paddle power to get
on some small summer sliders. The
rigidity of the bottom enabled the
board to trim and glide as opposed to
some softboards that make it feel like
you are surfing a thong.
EL NINO 5’10” FISH.
RRP $399.95
ELNINOSURF.COM.AU
Phoebe’s loving the El Nino Fish!
DOES IT
WORK?
TRIED AND TESTED
...while this 5’6” Albacore has also been bringing a big smile to my dial.
96
SMORGASBOARDER | SUMMER 2016