Have you noticed foamies in the lineup lately?
This morning I went surfing at Domes and decided to grab a foamy instead of my normal longboard. When I saw a friend in the water, she asked “Are you on a foamy?”. I shook my head yes and said, “Seriously, this board is so fun! You are guaranteed to have a good time and catch waves with this board!”
Earlier this year, a close friend from Maine asked if I had ever used a CatchSurf soft top board. I had never heard of them, so I asked her to tell me more. Apparently, they were the latest trend; not just for kids or beginners, but more advanced surfers as well. She raved about how super fun these boards were in all types of waves and conditions. I was intrigued and wanted to experience it myself. After a few months passed, I noticed a board at a local shop and decided to give it a try. I was extremely surprised how fun the board was to ride! Trendy or not, it exceeded my expectations. The waves were easier to catch and the ride was super smooth. After trying a different brand to compare designs, I was completely sold and decided to purchase a few for rentals.
What makes these boards so fun to ride?
Foamies, or soft-top surfboards, are great for beginners as they offer more comfort when learning to paddle and more ease when popping up on waves. They are durable, user friendly and safe in crowded conditions. The soft top is made from Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) which is a similar material to most exercise mats and sneaker insoles. It’s the perfect surface to stand and balance on as you are learning to ride the waves. They are also more buoyant than an epoxy or fiberglass board, making them much easier to paddle into waves. Another important characteristic of the soft top board is they are less susceptible to dings and cracks. There is also less of a chance of getting injured than when using a regular board. Your confidence will definitely increase on these boards and more confidence equals more fun! And if you are not having fun surfing, then what’s the point of doing it!
Myth: Foamies are only for beginners
Absolutely not! Foamies are available in so many shapes and sizes even advanced surfers have been jumping on the bandwagon. It’s not uncommon to see experienced riders shredding waves on bigger swells with these boards. They are also ideal on days when the waves aren’t necessarily perfect, but you still want your daily surf fix. Soft top boards have come a long way in terms of design and ability. A few brands are even designed with a soft foam top and an epoxy bottom for the perfect combination of safety and performance. If you are an experienced surfer who wants to acquire something new for your surfing arsenal, this is a great alternative. From long boards, to short boards and fishes, quad fins to single fins, the options are unlimited, and the fun is never-ending!
What brands are we currently carrying?
We recently purchased a few different sized boards from Odysea, Surf Tech, and Gnaraloo. As you can see from our smiles, these boards are awesome! Since we are so busy with the business, I am not able to surf as often as I would like. However, when I do have the opportunity, I’ve been choosing the foam board to guarantee myself a good time!
Ask about these boards for a regular lesson or rent one for your next surf adventure!