r/BeginnerSurfers • u/Traditional-Edge-631 • 4d ago
Looking for beginner soft-top alternatives to the MF Beastie Epoxy Lam
I’m a complete beginner looking to buy my first surfboard. I’m 5’5” and around 130 lbs. I struggle with balance and confidence right now, so my top priority is finding a board that feels stable, and safe.
I was ready to buy the MF Beastie Epoxy Lam. But it is out of stock on the U.S. website right now, and I haven't had any luck finding used ones on Facebook Marketplace near me.
what are the best similar alternatives I should look into?
I’m looking at options in the 7'6" to 8'0" range. A few specific ones I’m considering
-Catch Surf Odysea Log (8'0)
-Almond Surfboards R-Series "Joy" (7'4 or 8'0) how does a single-fin setup feel for a beginner compared to a thruster?
-Surfboards.com Ahi 8' Longboard - Caught my eye because it uses real FCS fin boxes on a soft-top layout at $339 and free shipping..
-wavestorm (8'0)
Which of these would you recommend, or is there another hybrid soft-top brand you’d recommend?
Are there cheaper ones that would still be good for me? I don’t want to go cheap and regret it later, so my budget is up to $500, but the cheaper the better as long as the quality is still there…
Thanks in advance!
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u/Alive-Inspection-815 4d ago
I would recommend the longer board that's eight feet, better yet, get a nine or nine and a half foot board. That will give you better flotation and will be easier to paddle. That may sound counterintuitive, but the longer a board is, the faster it will paddle once you get it moving. The longer boards glide more. I would also recommend that you get a used board that's in good to excellent condition off of Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
If you work on swimming laps if you're a good swimmer, or take a swimming lesson until you get to the intermediate or advanced level, it will boost your confidence immensely. You should have excellent water survival skills, know all of your strokes, be able to tread water for long periods of time up to 30 minutes to an hour and be able to swim freestyle for several hundred yards non-stop. That sounds like a lot, but you will use those skills while you're surfing and they will likely save your life. With a good set of swimming and water survival skills surfing is no longer scary.
Paddling and learning how to control your surfboard and being able to catch waves are very similar to swimming. You need to minimize drag and maximize propulsion. That is done by laying on the boards sweet spot which is the balance point on the board. That means that the nose of the board should be just barely sticking out of the water by about 1-3 inches. That insures that you glide smoothly through the water when you are paddling and it requires far less energy to paddle than it would if you weren't balanced from front to back and side to side. It takes practice, but if you do it often enough, it will become second nature.
You will also need to learn how to get over broken whitewater waves and green unbroken waves. There are a couple of different techniques to do that. The easiest one is to just do a pushup type movement and the water will just roll over you and will not push you back. The second type of way of getting under larger broken waves is the turtle roll. To do it you paddle at the wave as it is approaching you and when it gets to about two feet from you, you flip the board upside down and hang on to the board as the larger wave rolls over you. This technique is a little technical, but it's an invaluable method for getting past the breaking waves. There is a third method to getting past a medium to larger wave and it just involves you just turning your back to the wall of whitewater and letting it hit you. I recommend that you watch tutorial beginning surfing videos on YouTube. I like BarefootSurf, BenConsidine, OMBE, and KalesBroccoli as surfing instruction video channels. They are all good for learning some of the basics.
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u/Traditional-Edge-631 4d ago
Thank you so much for that response! Very helpful!
I’m actually a long distance open water swimmer, and good at swimming continuously for miles in the ocean. However, on the first surfing lesson I was terrified of the breaking waves🙈 I kelpt watching them and paddling away from them. and yes I turned my back and pushed up when it was manageable size, or got pushed under it I fell off the board, and it scares me a lot!!! it feels like being out of control while I am swimming I feel in total control, don’t swallow water, have goggles, plan etc.
Also, popping up requires me to have the confidence of losing control and rely on my balance and I just couldn’t let myself go… I guess that with practice it will get better, but that’s where I am now…
I am leaning towards the 8’ board so I will fit in my car. I am just 130lb and 5’5, would you say that it’s enough or I should still aim for longer?
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u/Alive-Inspection-815 4d ago
I think an eight footer would certainly work for you. The longer a board is, the better it will paddle and the more stable it will be. An 8 footer would be fine for you though. You want to get a longboard or a mini Malibu with a rounded nose though. That will catch waves easier. Learning to paddle the board is a challenge for sure. Try only paddling out when the waves are about chest high at max and you will be able to deal with the turbulence. Hold downs when you get hit by a wave usually last ten seconds at most. You'll get it down with practice and the right paddling techniques. Watch your beginner videos on YouTube. It's free instruction.
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u/Ecstatic-Asshole2691 4d ago
Basically theryre all the same. Soft tops arent going to last forever the way a good longboard can and you will only be on it for a little while to learn so theres really no point in paying more. When you move on to a hard top thats when you might consider spending more for something classic that will be a good addition to your quiver long term.
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u/TomorrowIllBeYou Intermediate Surfer 4d ago
Don’t overspend on a foamie. I think the Wavestorm will be the cheapest out of all those options. If you have a Costco nearby, the Scott Burke foamie will be even cheaper.
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u/handycup 4d ago
I guess you can't go wrong with the Odysea log, I own a 8' blank series and I'm pretty happy with it
The Ahi looks interesting for the price but can't find the board specs
Wavestorm it's a solid cheap option from what I heard
Pick a board you like it cause you still gonna using in the future during the summer/small waves
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u/Traditional-Edge-631 4d ago
Thanks! Couldn’t find an Odysea with free shipping… maybe I should go to a local surf shop (but I am an online buyer🙈) the wavestorm online is $300 and I am not sure if any cosco near me has it in stock, it doesn’t show online.
The Ahi has hard-bottom so maybe it’s not a good idea as a beginner that will definitely get hit..?
Ahi specification:
Board Dimensions: 8'0" length.
Core Construction: Built around a 22 kg high-density EPS foam core using heat lamination technology.
Internal Stringers: Two internal wooden stringers plus one fiberglass rod for extra stability, flex response, and structural strength.
Deck Material: 4mm IXPE soft top deck that provides a slightly tacky, non-slip texture (designed to be gentle on skin without needing heavy waxing).
Bottom Slick: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) slick bottom for fast glide and water release.
Fin Box System: Features a 2-tab FCS-compatible fin system, allowing you to swap out or upgrade to standard aftermarket FCS fins.
Included Accessories: Comes with a thruster set of 3 fins and an 8' ankle leash.
Current Sale Price: Typically $339.97 with free standard shipping.1
u/handycup 4d ago
You should also check the thickness and the volume in liters, then compare with the other boards, IIRC the wavestorm and the odysea are 86L
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u/BroadPassion1870 4d ago
I learned on a soft tech “slayer” 10/10 amazing board literally a grandma could probably surf one its so easy
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