I've been looking around and the Scrub Physco (II) seems to be a good board for a good price, although the graphics are bad, the MBS Core range also seem to be good except a bit more expensive. What would you guys recommend?

I also have 3.3metre and a 5.5 metre kites so I'm not going to be doing any jumps really.
Suggestions?

General rule of thumb regarding board size: short= freestyle, long= cruising and I hear they are better for learning with their added stability. Skate style trucks= freestyle, channel style/bionics(beefier, sprung)= much better for cruising, but add a bit of weight. Though that's not set in stone by any means. If your not totally sure what you want for the long run don't hesitate to troll your local craigslist and eBay. My patients paid off after 2+ months of searching for a decent used board. I snagged my Ground Industries board on eBay for 130 shipped which was an awesome deal. Shorter than I was looking for, but the price was right considering I didn't know what my end game was going to be.

How much are you wanting to spend?

For a first board, considering I may not totally enjoy, I would be willing to spend up to £170 roughly. What length would a long board be then?, because to begin with I would probably be looking into cruising more.

Short is about 90cm and long 100+cm. Though I must say my first time out/first time on any kind of board since I was 10yo was on my GI Flight 93. A board that I'm arguably too big for...no kiteless practice runs or anything. Just hooked into my depower, feet in the bindings and made it happen...a couple bails maybe but not even a single wipe out. So don't let size sway you away from a good deal.

all right thanks, so what other boards should I be looking for? If a good buy on eBay comes up I don't want to miss it.

If you could find a used mbs Comp 95 for a deal...snatch it up. Beefy trucks, mid size... you could pretty much do anything that you'd ever want to with that.

okay cool, if I can't get a good second-hand one I was planning on getting the Scrub Physco, I know its only a wooden deck but would this be a sensible choice?

i stalked craigslist till i got a scrub for 50$..it was great to get going and worked just fine till a better board showed for not much more(2)..than did it again(3)...so many snowboarders think they are gonna ride these things down hills it's not funny..till they try and leave it in the closet for a couple of years....now i look at board #1 as a parts bin

If you are in the UK you might want to check or post a WTB listing on the Surfing Dirt forum (http://www.surfingdirt.com/forum/). A fair number of UK riders on that forum.

ATB,
Sam

Alright thanks

As long as you aren't too tall I'm sure it would treat you pretty well. And if you were to find yourself digging the freestyle it would be perfect.

Okay, that's fine then, I'm only 5'6 so that should be alright. I'll hunt around a bit anyway just to try an grab a bargain.
As for learning to board I should be at to pick it up right? I watched some YouTube videos so I figure it shouldn't take too long to get moving.

As far as cruising...I'm sure you'll be fine. I had built it up to be much more difficult in my head than it actually was. Really all you need to do is watch Carl the bullets 2 min video on how to get rolling... then it'll be a matter of convincing your feet to pitch the board the correct way to go where you want, which can't be taught...must be learned. For example when you start to lean back against the pull of the kite your natural tendency will be to put your weight on your heels, but this will make you start to run upwind slowing you down. Once you manage to isolate your feet movements from your body movements...it all comes together.

Freestyle....i'm not even close, can't comment on that!:D

Thanks, I'll leave freestyle alone for a bit I think!