Looking to purchase my 9 year old son a new board.
He is currently surfing a 6’2, but this week he has been trying out a 5’4 Ozzie Wright epoxy board. I have heard mixed reports on kids using expoxy board to learn on and I have been told to get him a custom board rather than a expoxy one.
My view on is the epoxy is:
The epoxy boardwould take more knocks without needing to be repaired
Little board easier for my son to handle
More float
easier to sell on
Downside that it does not support shapers, i would prefer a custom board but its about cost and being able to sell on the board afterwards.
The big question is what effect would the epoxy have on his surfing?
I don't think the fact a board is epoxy or not would have any effect on his surfing. The way you're using the term, it sounds like you mean a veneer over eps popout type board like surftech, whereas there are plenty of custom shapes glassed with epoxy.
Are you in the Santa Cruz area? If you were to say where you're at, there might be some Swaylocks shapers near you who would give you a good deal on a custom for your son. I have to argue the point that popouts are easier to sell - I don't see why that would be the case.
The kid is growing and progressing, maybe shopping around for a used board would be more logical? Have you thought about a father/son project making a surfboard?
Just some passing thoughts, the main thing is he is stoked on surfing, and he has a cool dad who is looking out for him and planning his next board!