Is an Ashton surfboard a good board?

Question

Im just starting out surfing, and ive gone twice. I found an Ashton surfboard for sale at a local shop for $150. It has a crack on the top of the board and a few dings from use. It comes with the pad, and a leash. It is a 6 6", is the board worth the money?

Answer 1

http://ashtonsurfboards.com

There isn't too much to the website. Just pictures of some boards and some address information. It does say that he has been shaping since 1972, which might be a good thing. He also has an established shop, so there must be other people out there who buy 'em.

Ashtons are Ocean City Md boards, so I imagine that if you live in that area (or in some cases, maybe even the east coast in general) the board is probably pretty well designed for the average OC break, but I can't tell you how well it is made, quality-wise.

Now, if you are just starting, I don't think that a 6'6" board is what you are looking for (unless you are pretty small yourself). What do the guys at the shop say? I know that some guys just want to make a sale, but if you are straight with them, and tell them HONESTLY what your skill level is, they probably will treat you right.

If the crack and dings have been repaired, they are probably no big deal. If it is a 6'6" fun board, or mini-mal, and you are small enough for it to really float you well, $150.00 bucks for your first board might not be a bad deal.

Just to give you an idea about prices, I have been surfing since '66, and I have owned dozens of boards (new, used , custom made) and I haven't paid $150.00 for a board since 1969 or 70. So, the reason it might be going so cheap is: a) it is a piece of junk to begin with, or b) it is beat.

If you have only surfed twice, why not try a couple different kinds of boards, and spend some time talking to local surfers and the guys in the shop before you decide to buy anything.