All Around Board for an 8-yr old - Looking

[CrazyIvan]

All,
I am looking for suggestions for an all around board for my son - 8-yrs old.  It would be a starter board.  We live in North County San Diego, so our initial need is for a board for the lagoon, but I have dreams of a surfing buddy.   A board that can catch small surf locally would be the best...at least be sea worthy for calm spring/summer days in the ocean.

A tough board that will get us by for the first year or so is what I am looking for.  Boards are expensive, kids drain you of all your money, so I am looking for a inexpensive option.  Suggestions for new price point of a appropriate size, or if you (or a friend/aquaintance) has something collecting dust, outgrown or taking up too much space - this probably would be the best option.  Beat up is fine and local to SoCal a must. 

We are not sure how the sport will take, so we are looking for something that will not break the bank.  - I figure he will get bored with it or outgrow it quickly as he grows and improves (hopefully the later).

Thanks for your thoughts

[SlatchJim]

Used surf shape.  Look for a board that someone else took the depreciation out of and you'll be left with an inexpensive way to get out and paddle.  Craigs list and this forum are your first stops.

[Kaihoe]

My grom paddles my long board (with lots of tape on his paddle) we found that all the other boards where too wide for him and he was having to lean over too far.

It does the job fine for a kid who's learning/mucking about

[Ichabod Spoonbill]

I'm buying an Imagine Surfer, and part of the reason for it is to teach my eight year-old son how to SUP. It's pretty wide, but it's also very tough, and cheap.

It seconds as a good teaching board for adults too. I might even take it on a river.

[tautologies]

I have no idea of the price on these, but they are made for kids:
http://www.naishsurfing.com/2012/boards/keiki.html

[PonoBill]

The Imagine poly boards look like a great choice. I'd also look at any of the wider longboards. There's a bunch of little kids here on Maui using longboards, and some on what look like fat shortboards--might have been custom made.

On possibility is to talk with a shaper. I know a custom board sounds too expensive, but this would be cheaper as far as materials go.

Last but not least, look around for a mid-sized windsurfer.

[adios pantalones]

My daughter and a couple other kids here are using a softop Morey egg. About 6' , I think. Turn 'em loose with a canoe paddle.
Does fine for the kids.

[kneecap]

My eight year old is having the time of his life on an 8' Costco foam surfboard. We paddle the lagoon SUP and he regular surfs it on a frequent basis. I think before long he'll catch his first wave on it standing up. He's also using an old wooden canoe paddle half the time that we had in the garage. Total cost about $100. When he gets better or outgrows this setup, we'll move on, but I don't see the point in buying him high end equipment until we know this is what he wants to do with his leisure time. And he's as stoked as could be.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[JimK]

Fanatic makes a kids board that can double as a smaller adult SUP (in the waves)

Kids love it it is easy, looks cool too

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[Boludo]

I bought a ULI inflatable 8'11" X 28".  It was fun for me and great for my girl.  It's nice because it fits in a backpack.  I also live in North County as well.  I will be selling it because my girl usually just takes her mini raceboard out now.  If interested, send me a PM.
Josh