Choosing the right surfboard is one of the most, if not the most important decision you’ll make when it comes to your surfing adventure. Whether you’re starting to explore surfing, intermediate or experienced surfer. Understanding a choice of the right board for yourself is fundamental.
When it comes to learning surfing, picking the right board for yourself is essential. Choice of the surfboard will make a huge impact on your surfing progress. That’s why, here’s everything you need to know about picking the best beginner surfboard for you!
Soft board or hard board?
The biggest mistake of beginner surfers is starting from a hard board. Firstly it’s dangerous for you and for the other surfers around you. Surfing is really difficult sport and let’s be honest, if you are just starting your journey, most of the time you do not have complete control your board.
Secondly soft boards are easier to paddle, stand up on and to ride a wave on. Consequently, you will catch more waves and make progress faster on a soft top surfboard. The board covered with foam is more durable and not so easy to break. Therefore, you will have more confidence riding a wave, for example on a rocky bottom spots. In short don’t start from a hard board.
The right time will come and you will feel it. Everything needs practice, also surfing. So don’t rush yourself with changing a board to the hard type. Firstly you should be confident in controlling a soft board while riding a wave. Secondly you should turn smoothly and be able to make all the basic movements easily. My suggestion is to try changing to the smaller sizes of soft boards before making a step to a hardboard. It will be a new challenge for you as a surfer and will help you make a progress. After all those steps finally there is a time to go for a hard board.
What size of a surfboard to choose?
Ok so the first thing you will realise looking at the surfboards that there is a wide range of sizes and shapes to choose from. Don’t worry about it. Basically as a beginner you will focus on big boards as it’s the best choice to learn basics of surfing.
First of all, depending on how tall are you the size of the board will vary from let’s say 7’0 to more less 8’6. For example if you are tall of course your choice will be longer than somebody who measures 155cm.
Secondly the big mistake of most beginner surfers while choosing a right surf board is not looking at the width. Remember, the wider the surfboard the more stable it is. There will be a huge difference between wide 7’0 versus narrow 7’0 board. Wider surfboards are easier to stand up on but harder to turn. So depending on your surfing skills you will need to look for completely different aspects.
When to look for a wider board?
Firstly if you are not a sporty person wide board will make it easier for you to learn surfing. Secondly the more weight you got, the wider the board you will look for. Thirdly you feel like your biggest problem is the balance while standing on a board then try something wider.
What volume?
Usually beginners soft boards (depending on a size and width of course) got between 60-100L. Similarly to width, the bigger the volume, the easier it is. So if you want to catch as many waves as possible choose the board with lots of liters. Even the smallest waves then gonna be yours!
How to choose a right surfboard?
As a matter of fact there is no other way to choose the best surfboard for you other than trying different shapes and sizes. Every person is different. Once are better at paddling, the others got better pop up. So the best way to make a right choice is to give it a try! One person prefers wider boards but shorter, the other feels better with something longer and there is no need for extra with. For example if you got lots of strength in your arms maybe you don’t need so much volume to catch a wave.
Good idea is to start your surfing journey with a qualified surf instructor. He/she can help you to make a choice and can gives you some useful and personalised tips on how to choose your perfect soft board. If you are in Tenerife (Canary Islands) and interested in taking surfing course here is the link to our offer. You can find all types of lessons. From beginners to intermediate video correction courses.
Top beginners surfboard brands
In Rocky Point we use only high quality surf equipment. So here I want to show you the brands that we use on a daily basis and we can 100% recommend them for every beginner.
Ocean & Earth softboards
Ocean & Earth was founded by Brian Cregan and Graham Williams’s, but was later established by Brian Cregan and partners in 1978. Australian brand run by surfers for surfers. The models we use are the SSB Surf School and Ezi Rider collections.
Indio softboards
One of the best international surf board brand. Indio surfboard was born in a basque country thanks to PUKAS. The boards are on the same level of quality as Ezi Rider collection from Ocean & Earth. The brand got also Indio Endurance collection. Surfboards that are a great choice for a first hardboard. So maybe that will be your next step in the future.
Madness softboards
Surf equipment brand wit wide variety of products allowed you to buy everything you need in one place. The brand got three different soft boards collections. Each of them got different construction. The boards we use on a daily basis and can recommend are HD core and EPOXY SOFT.
Where to get a soft board from?
First of all, as I wrote before, to start your surfing adventure I recommend you take a surfing course and learn the basics with the experienced instructor. Secondly to make progress in surfing you need to practice a lot.
If you live by the ocean one day you will like to buy your own surfboard. However there is no point in spending tones of money on a brand new soft board. Remember you are a beginner who’s goal is to get better. Eventually you will make a progress and be ready to change for a hard board. So my advice is to look for a second hand board. This is the cheap solution on how to get your own soft board. So checkout local second-hand surf shops in your area or look in the internet.
