Look, we’ve all been there. You’re a new surfer and you want to ride one of those cool potato chip surfboards that all the greats are riding. But the painful truth is, you’re probably not ready. And that’s okay.
Selecting the right surfboard is crucial for your progression and enjoyment in surfing. The right board can enhance your performance, and the wrong one may hinder your development. It might even set you back months or years of progression. This guide will help you identify the ideal surfboard based on your skill level.
Beginner Surfers
As a beginner, stability and ease of paddling are all you need to look for. That means boards with higher volume (or buoyancy) which facilitates easier wave catching and balance.
- Recommended Boards: Soft-top (or foamie) longboards (7’–9′). These boards provide a stable platform, making it easier to catch waves and maintain balance as you learn the basics [1].
- Features: Wide, thick, and buoyant for stability and easier paddling.
- Drawbacks: Foamies just don’t carry momentum through a wave the way a hard, fiberglass board does. They are still a blast and can be pretty maneuverable, but when you finally progress to a hardboard, you’ll understand.
Intermediate Surfers
Intermediate surfers have a grasp of the basics and are looking to improve maneuverability and performance.
- Recommended Boards: Funboards, fish, or hybrid boards (6’6″–8’6”). These can be hard boards or foamies—whatever you desire. These boards allow for more agile movements while still providing enough stability to continue developing skills [2]. This is the point where your options really open up and you can pursue a board that suits the style of surfing you want to do.
- Features: Shorter length for increased maneuverability, moderate volume for balance between stability and performance
- Drawbacks: With these boards, you’re probably not going to be charging stand up barrels. You can probably still handle some pretty juicy waves though.
Advanced Surfers
Advanced surfers are experienced and seek boards that offer high performance in various conditions.
- Recommended Boards: Shortboards, step-up boards, or guns (5’0″–7′). These boards are designed for executing complex maneuvers and handling challenging wave conditions [2].
- Features: Narrower, thinner, and less buoyant for maximum maneuverability and speed.
- Drawbacks: None, if you are truly an advanced surfer. If you’re not quite ready though, these boards will just lead to frustration and disappointment.
Additional Considerations
- Body Type: Your height and weight influence the volume and dimensions of the board you should choose. Heavier or taller people will probably require boards with more volume for adequate floatation [3]. Otherwise, you’re in for a nice tough shoulder workout.
- Wave Conditions: Consider the typical wave conditions you’ll be surfing. Smaller, slower waves are better suited for boards with more volume, while larger, faster waves require more specialized boards [4].
- Material: Surfboards come in various materials, including foam, fiberglass, and epoxy. Foam boards are great for beginners due to their safety and durability, while fiberglass and epoxy boards offer better performance for more advanced surfers [5].
Sources
- Surf Point Blog – “How to Choose Surfboard Size”
https://blog.surfpoint.io/blog/how-to-choose-surfboard-size - Spunky’s Surf Shop – “How to Choose the Right Surfboard: A Complete Guide”
https://spunkyssurfshop.com/blogs/wave-wise-surfing-101-faqs/how-to-choose-the-right-surfboard-a-complete-guide-1 - Honest Surf – “How to Choose the Right Surfboard”
https://honestsurf.com/how-to-choose-the-right-surfboard - Decathlon UK – “How to Choose the Right Surfboard for Your Level”
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/c/htc/how-to-choose-the-right-surfboard-for-your-level - Flysurf Brand Blog – “How to Choose Your Surfboard: A Complete Guide”
https://blog.flysurfbrand.com/en/How-to-choose-your-surfboard
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