Choosing The Right beginner Surfboard
One of the questions we get asked time and time again is what surfboard should I buy as a beginner. So here we have it, our answer.
Choosing a surfboard can be a daunting task. With hundreds of choices to make, dimensions, fin set up, material, leash length, epoxy, helium (really), buoyancy etc, it can be extremely off-putting. Then you need to know whether you’re getting ripped off or not, so our next article will be the pricing of surfboards. Watch this space.
We’ve written a simple guide to help you with this decision making process. This should only take a few minutes to read and it could stop you from choosing the wrong board and being put off surfing forevermore.
Instead of talking about your weight and height etc, we’re going to focus on ability.
Stage 1 - Newbie Surfboard
During this stage of surfing, it’s vital you choose the correct surfboard, because if you don’t it could make or break your love of surfing. Many people will choose the board they desire to surf, normally a short, fibreglass surfboard that the pros are seen using.
DO NOT BUY A PERFORMANCE SHORT BOARD AS A BEGINNER!
If you’re not quite standing up every wave, or if you’re still riding white water, then you’d benefit from riding something very high in volume and probably made from something soft like foam. If you choose something small, for example a 5’10 with 28L of volume, then you will struggle. You’re essentially making life very hard for yourself by surfing a board you’re not ready for.
Stage 2 - Beginner Surfboard
If you’re catching waves more often and falling off slightly less, then it could be time to progress to a hardboard. That being said, foam boards really are for every occasion! Some of the most fun surfs to be had are on foam surfboards. They will literally catch anything, they’re virtually indestructible and they’re becoming more and more trendy with the likes of Jamie O’Brian using them on the North Shore.
Most are desperate to get off the foamy, and onto fibreglass. If you are this way inclined, then a large fibreglass or epoxy surfboard with plenty of volume will aid your progression. Length is important here folks. The longer the surfboard, the better your chances of catching waves. A longboard will glide further and faster than a shortboard will, so you’ll catch waves easier and earlier, giving you more time to focus on standing up and choosing your line.
Just like length, volume is also important. The more of you out of the water, the faster the board will paddle. For a beginner, catching waves is your main goal. If you’re struggling to catch waves, you won’t be able to progress. So throw away the ego, and get yourself a thick surfboard.
Stage 3 - Intermediate Surfboard
You’re now catching the green waves. At this point, you’re going to want to start turning, doing chop hops and trying other manoeuvres seen in the mags.
Volume is still going to be your friend here, but it might be time to start thinking about reducing the length. Turning a longboard is hard, so to give yourself a better chance at success, we recommend getting something slightly shorter but still keeping that high volume.
A high volume fish, or an egg shaped board would be ideal for this stage of learning. You’ll still be able to catch waves early due to the high volume. Once you’re having fun on this type of board, then it could be time to progress to something more sharper and shorter. But by this point, you’ll know what type of surfing you like to be doing!
We hope that helped a bit.