The Daily Surf
Brands We Dig: Catch Surf!
Since the dawn of the soft top in the late 1990’s, surf schools around the world have made the switch to the more user friendly surf crafts. Featuring a deck made from the same material as a body board, the soft top is a safe way to learn the sport of surfing without inheriting a busted head in the process. While Fulcrum has sampled soft tops from a variety of companies, there hasn’t been a board quite like the Catch Surf “Odysea Logs.” Since our first day with the boards, students and coaches alike have adored their performance qualities, the ease in which they are ridden, and just how light and easy they are to transport in and out of the water. The most common soft top surfboard you will see in any beginner friendly lineup is Cost Co’s “WaveStorms”. While these boards are priced to sell, they are nowhere near the same quality as the Catch Surfboards that we use at Fulcrum. Frustrated with how many boards we were breaking each summer, Fulcrum decided to invest in boards that last, “As a business owner it makes sense to invest in a product that is more durable and can withstand the use and abuse that our boards go through. When we used WaveStorms in the past they would last for a month or two tops, our Catch Surf boards are proving to be the best boards that Fulcrum has ever used.” Besides being incredibly durable, these boards are extremely fun as the range from seven to nine feet and are insanely easy to catch waves on. Because our goal at Fulcrum is to get every student up to their feet and riding in style, we have found that goal is outrageously obtainable on our Catch Surf boards. Due to the Logs size and thickness, they provide a stable platform for beginners to learn on without sacrificing maneuverability for intermediate and advanced surfers. Don’t believe me? Check out Jamie O’Brien’s antics on a Catch Surf board at the wedge during Hurricane Marie.
Notice how early Jamie is able to get into the waves due to the incredible paddle ability that Catch Surf boards offer! While we don’t quite recommend board transfers on 20 foot death closeouts, we do recommend the Catch Surf boards as a way to enjoy the slower waves on offer around Cardiff Reefs, Swamis, and Seaside reef. Because these boards are easy to paddle, you’ll be able to boost your wave count regardless of the conditions.
While we have certainly have had phenomenal feedback from our clients on Catch Surfboards, we have also learned a few of these tips that will assure you and your Odysea Log have a grand time on the water.
Tips and Techniques:
Don’t leave the boards in extreme heat such as a locked car or face up on the beach. While the boards are crafted using the best materials, they have a tendency to heat up and expand causing air bubbles. While these bubbles won’t ruin a board, they can quickly be avoided by keeping your board out of the sun.
2. A little wax goes a long way. Some Soft Top brands don’t need surfboard wax but others do. Catch Surf falls into that later category. Be sure to wax your board with Sex Wax green label before your first surf to ensure that you won’t slip off. Remember to rub rail to rail and tail to tail!
3. The fins on the Catch Surf boards won’t hurt you but they will injure other Logs. When stacking boards in your vehicle, make sure that the fins aren’t pressing into the soft deck of the Catch Surf board. If enough pressure is applied, the fins will cut into another board. While these boards don’t fill up with water and get heavy like some brands do, they will need repairing.
4. If you do receive a fin gash in your board, it is easy to repair them with a hot glue gun. Simply let the board dry out in the sun, and then fill in the cut with glue. Once it dries, the board will be water tight and ready for ripping.
5. Pick the right size for yourself. Most kids under the age of 16 will want either the 7 foot or 8 foot boards, but most adult sized beginners will do best on a 9 foot Odysea Log. In order to have the most fun possible, pick a board length that will be conducive to your progression. Remember, foam is your friend!
Head over the the SHOP section of fulcrumsurf.com to grab yourself an Odysea Log from Catch Surf today!