Getting the right surfboard changes everything about your wave-riding experience. Board choice makes or breaks your surfing journey – especially when you’re just starting out.
Most new surfers grab boards that are way too small. Big mistake. Boards with more volume make learning so much easier and help you progress faster. This buying guide covers everything you need to know about picking the perfect board for your skill level.
Soft-top surfboards are game-changers for beginners. They give you tons of float and stability while keeping you safer in the lineup.
We’ll help you dodge the common mistakes and find a board that fits your goals, fitness level, and local waves. The best beginner surfboard? The one that puts the biggest smile on your face!
Understand Your Surfing Goals
Stop. Before you buy any surfboard, think about what you actually want from surfing. Your goals shape everything – from board size to design features.
Why your goals matter when choosing a board
Your surfing direction determines which board works best. Want to master shortboarding? Different board than longboarding. Just want to catch waves and have fun? That’s a whole other approach.
Surfboard design is all about trade-offs. Stability vs. maneuverability. If you’re working on cutbacks, super stable boards might hold you back. Just starting out? Too much maneuverability leaves you face-planting.
Set real goals. Not “get better at surfing” – that’s too vague. Try: • Stand up on 5 waves this session • Ride waves to the beach without falling • Learn to turn left and right
Break big goals into smaller wins. Makes progress way more fun.
How often you plan to surf
Your commitment level changes everything about board selection.
Surf regularly? You’ll want multiple boards for different conditions. One board can’t handle everything.
Weekend warrior? Pick something with extra volume. Easier paddling and wave catching matter more than high performance.
Your fitness improves with more surfing. Better fitness means you can handle lower-volume boards later. Start with what works for your current fitness level.
What kind of waves you’ll ride
This might be the most important factor. Different waves need different boards.
Research your local surf spots before buying. Know what you’re dealing with.
Wave types and board matches: • Small, mushy waves (1-3ft) – Fish designs or hybrids generate speed in weak conditions • Medium, punchy waves (3-6ft) – Performance shortboards or boards that fit in the pocket
• Large, powerful waves (6ft+) – Specialized boards for steep drops and barrels
Surf small waves most of the time? Your board choice is totally different from someone charging pipeline-style barrels.
Point breaks vs. beach breaks need different features too.
Gold Coast surfers might grab a high-performance shortboard for when Snapper or Kirra are firing at 3-6ft. Smaller days? Something with more volume like the Panda Repeater works better.
Your local waves should drive your board choice. Know your goals, know your waves, know yourself. That’s how you pick a board that actually works.
Know Your Skill and Fitness Level
Your current skill level and fitness shape everything about which surfboard will work best. These two factors make a huge difference in your water experience. Here’s why both matter when picking your perfect board.
Beginner, intermediate, or advanced?
Be honest about where you’re at. Choosing a board that’s too advanced kills your progress and makes surfing way harder than it needs to be.
Beginner surfers need to focus on stability and easy paddling. You’ll spend most of your time learning the basics – paddling technique, pop-ups, and staying balanced. Board choice is super important since actually riding waves is just one small part of learning to surf. Your board should help you:
- Paddle out without dying
- Stay in position in the water
- Catch tons of waves
Longboards and midsize boards with plenty of volume are perfect for beginners. Soft-top surfboards give you amazing stability and buoyancy while keeping everyone safer.
Intermediate surfers have nailed the basics. You can consistently catch unbroken waves, know when to paddle out, and can handle basic turns. Now you might want a board with slightly less volume for better maneuverability – but keep enough stability to have fun.
Advanced surfers can pull off complex moves and feel comfortable in different conditions. You understand waves deeply and probably want boards with lower volume that prioritize performance over easy paddling.
How fitness affects paddling and wave catching
Your fitness level decides which board gives you the best time. Surfing is one of the most physically demanding outdoor sports.
Paddling hammers your upper body – especially your back, shoulders, and arms. Your core works constantly for balance. Your legs help stabilize and steer the board. When your shoulders start burning, it’s time to head in.
Better fitness = more board options. As you get stronger, your paddling improves. You can handle thinner, less buoyant boards with better performance potential. Strong paddling means longer sessions and more responsive boards.
Limited endurance? Go with higher volume. Extra buoyancy makes paddling way easier and saves energy. Sure, it reduces performance a bit. The trick is finding the sweet spot between your fitness, skill, and what the board can do.
Age matters too. A fit 25-year-old advanced surfer probably has more gas in the tank than a 45-year-old at the same skill level. Older surfers often benefit from extra volume to surf longer without getting wiped out.
Want to maximize your wave count? Work on your paddling technique and surf-specific fitness. Cardio like running, biking, or hiking builds the stamina for longer sessions. Strengthening your paddling muscles prevents early fatigue and sloppy form.
Pick your board based on where you are now – not where you want to be. This approach gets you more waves and faster progress. Makes surfing way more fun too.
Match the Board to the Waves
Wave conditions matter more than most people think when picking a surfboard. Getting this match right changes everything about your surfing experience and how fast you progress.
Types of waves: small, mushy, steep
Waves come in all shapes and sizes. Each one needs different board features to work properly. Let’s start with the three main break types:
- Beach Breaks: Swells hit sandy bottoms, creating fast and powerful waves in shallow water
- Point Breaks: Swells wrap around a point of land, making long and consistent waves that break in one direction
- Reef Breaks: Swells slam into reef or rock bottoms, producing steep-faced powerhouses
Wave size and power tell you what board to grab:
Small waves (1-3ft) lack punch. You need boards that make their own speed.
Medium waves (3-6ft) give you options. They can be mushy and mellow or steep and hollow.
Large waves (6ft+) demand specialized boards built for control and stability.
Here’s the key: Mushy waves need speed-generating boards. Steep, powerful waves need boards that handle quick drops and stay in control.
How wave conditions affect board choice
Most surfing happens in small, weak waves – about 90% of sessions. That’s why your board choice matters so much for these conditions.
For small, weak waves, grab something that paddles easy and builds speed:
- Fish boards – Wide tails and flat rockers generate speed when waves lack power
- Funboards/Mid-lengths – Extra width and thickness make catching small waves way easier
- Mini Mals – Shorter longboards with great paddle power and quick speed-building
- Grovelers – Shortboards with wider noses and tails that keep momentum in tiny surf
For medium waves (3-6ft), your options open up:
- Mushier medium waves still love fish shapes and hybrids
- Steeper, punchier medium waves work great with performance shortboards or hybrids
For powerful, steep waves, you need specialized gear:
- Performance shortboards handle steep drops with their quick maneuverability
- More rocker (board curve) prevents nose-diving on steep faces
Board design features directly impact wave performance:
- Rocker profile: Flatter boards work better in small waves, curved boards handle steep waves
- Volume distribution: Wide point forward helps paddling and wave-catching in smaller conditions
- Tail design: Narrow pintails create speed in big waves by reducing water contact
- Width: Wide boards give stability in small, fat waves. Narrow boards perform better in hollow, steep waves
Your local waves should drive your board choice. Surf mostly small, mushy beach breaks? A fish or groveler makes sense. Regularly hit steep reef breaks? Look at performance shortboards with moderate rocker.
For beginners and intermediates, boards suited to small-to-medium waves work best since these conditions happen most often. Start with adequate volume and flatter rocker to catch more waves and progress faster. You can always explore specialized designs later as your skills develop.
Surfboard Volume and Why It Matters
Volume is the magic number that makes or breaks your surfboard choice. Unlike all the subjective stuff, volume gives you actual numbers to match a board to your body and skill level. Get this right and your wave-riding experience changes completely.
What is volume in a surfboard?
Volume measures the total space your surfboard takes up, counted in liters. Back in the day, shapers had to dunk boards in water to figure this out. Now computer programs calculate it perfectly, and most manufacturers show the number right on their websites and boards.
This number tells you exactly how buoyant your board will be. More buoyancy means you float higher in the water with less drag when paddling. Result? You paddle faster, catch more waves, and don’t need waves as steep to get going.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Shortboards: 25-35 liters typically
- Funboards: 40-50 liters
- Longboards: 60-100 liters
- SUPs: 250+ liters
But these ranges change based on design details, even when boards have identical length, width, and thickness.
How to calculate ideal volume for your weight and skill
The sweet spot starts with your weight-to-volume ratio. Shapers use the “Guild Factor” (GF) – your surfboard volume divided by your body weight. This creates a personal recommendation just for you.
Different skill levels need different ratios:
- Advanced/Pro surfers: 0.34-0.36 GF
- Intermediate/Advanced: 0.36-0.38 GF[161]
- Intermediate/Older surfers: 0.38-0.42 GF[161]
- Weekend warriors/Casual surfers: 0.43-0.49+ GF
- Beginners: 0.50+ GF
Real world example: An 80kg advanced surfer might ride a 28-liter board (0.35 ratio), while a beginner that same weight needs around 40+ liters.
Age and fitness change the game too. Surfers 31-50 should add 8% to their calculated volume, 51-60 add 20%, and over 61 add 30%. Fitness matters just as much – excellent fitness needs no adjustment, good fitness adds 5%, average adds 10%, and poor fitness adds 20%.
Pro surfers like Griffin Colapinto and John John Florence can feel differences as tiny as 0.5 liters. Beginners might not get why volume matters at first, but they figure it out fast when they’re struggling to paddle into waves.
Volume vs. performance trade-offs
More volume gives you:
- Easier paddling and wave catching
- Better stability for beginners
- Superior flotation in small, weak waves
- Longer session endurance
But there’s always a trade-off. More volume also means:
- Less maneuverability
- Tougher control in powerful waves
- Harder to nail sharp turns
- Less responsive in critical moments
Here’s a huge mistake: thinking smaller boards prove you’re a better surfer. A board that’s too small paddles like a slug, catches waves late, bogs down in turns, and makes your surfing look awful. Sure, smaller boards let you trim turns easier, which might look like better carving, but actually learning to carve properly is harder on low-volume boards because you generate less speed.
Get the volume right for your weight, skill, and fitness, and you’ll catch more waves and progress faster. This is especially true for beginners and intermediates – proper volume pays off immediately in fun and learning.
Find that sweet spot between too much and too little volume. Don’t chase the smallest board possible. Focus on volume that helps you catch waves consistently while leaving room to grow your skills.
Key Design Features to Understand
Board design isn’t just surf shop talk – these features change how your board feels and performs. The nose, tail, rails, and rocker shape your entire wave-riding experience.
Nose and tail shapes
Your nose (front 12 inches) controls paddling power. Two main types:
Round/wide noses: • More buoyancy and stability • Lift you higher in the water
• Perfect for easier paddling and wave catching • Beginner-friendly design on longboards and foamies
Pointed noses: • Cut through water with less drag • Better for performance surfing and steep drops • Easier duck diving • Prevent nose-diving during turns
Your tail shape affects how you ride waves. Here’s what works:
• Pin tails – Narrow and precise for big, powerful waves[201] • Round tails – Smooth, drawn-out turns with good hold • Square tails – Stability and pivoting ability, great on longboards[192] • Squash tails – Most popular on shortboards, balances speed and maneuverability • Swallow tails – Wide with V-cutout, speed in weak waves plus hold in steeper ones[192]
Rails and rocker explained
Rails run along your board’s edges. They control how you connect with the wave face.
Soft rails: • Rounded with smooth curves • Forgiving and stable – perfect for beginners • Extra buoyancy but less maneuverability
Hard rails:
• Sharp, defined edges that bite into waves • Better response through turns • Need more skill to handle[204]
Rail foil (volume distribution): • 50/50 rails – even volume (longboards) • 60/40 rails – slightly more volume on top (funboards) • 80/20 rails – volume near deck (performance shortboards)
Rocker = your board’s curve from nose to tail. Think banana shape. More curve = more rocker. Flatter = less rocker.
How these features affect control and speed
Each design choice changes your surfing experience:
Speed control: • Flatter rockers paddle faster and maintain speed in weak waves[211] • More rocker creates drag but allows tighter turns and prevents nose-diving
• Wide tails generate lift in small waves, narrow tails control powerful conditions[211]
Turning ability: • Hard rails bite into waves for quick response (need skill)[204] • Soft rails forgive mistakes but turn slower[204] • Squash and swallow tails allow quicker direction changes[192]
Stability and wave catching: • Round noses and wide tails boost stability and buoyancy • Soft rails give beginners more forgiveness[204]
• Less rocker makes catching waves easier but limits steep wave performance[211]
Start with forgiving features – fuller noses, rounded tails, soft rails, and moderate rocker. Later, you can try performance-oriented designs that match your growing skills and local wave conditions.
Choosing the Right Construction Material
Material matters just as much as shape and size. Your surfboard’s construction affects everything – performance, durability, and how well it fits your skill level.
Foam vs. fiberglass vs. epoxy
Foam surfboards (soft-tops) feel soft to the touch and float like crazy. Paddling becomes way easier and you’ll catch more waves. The soft deck won’t hurt you or other surfers during wipeouts. They handle dings better than traditional boards and need almost zero maintenance.
PU/Fiberglass boards use polyurethane foam wrapped in fiberglass with a wooden stringer down the middle. These traditional boards sit lower in the water and feel more responsive. Experienced surfers love this feel. Downside? They’re 10-15% heavier than epoxy boards.
Epoxy/EPS boards combine polystyrene foam with epoxy resin. They’re lighter, more buoyant, and 30-50% tougher than PU boards. Plus they’re eco-friendly – producing 75% fewer toxic compounds during manufacturing. These boards sit higher on water and generate speed easier in small waves.
Durability vs. performance
Each material has trade-offs:
• Foam boards – Super durable but limit your progression once you improve • Epoxy boards – Great balance of strength and performance. Perfect for small-medium waves but can feel too floaty in powerful surf
• PU/Fiberglass boards – Amazing performance with natural flex but need babying. They dent easily and yellow in the sun
What’s best for beginners?
Foam surfboards win for beginners. Safety, durability, and easy wave-catching in one package. They’re cheaper too.
Want to spend more? Soft-top epoxy boards offer a sweet middle ground. You get a durable epoxy core with foam on deck and rails – safety benefits without killing performance.
Your first board should make paddling and standing up easy. Performance can wait. Once you’re hooked on surfing, then you can explore boards that match your style and local waves.
Avoiding Common Beginner Mistakes
New surfers make the same equipment mistakes over and over. Skip these pitfalls and you’ll have way more fun learning to ride waves.
Choosing a board that’s too small
Here’s the biggest rookie mistake – grabbing a tiny board thinking it makes you look pro. Boards that are too small paddle like garbage, catch waves late, and make turning harder.
You need a board around 8-9 feet long for proper stability. Trying to learn on a shortboard? That’s a fast track to quitting surfing altogether.
Size up, not down. Your ego might want that 6-foot thruster, but your wave count will thank you for the 9-foot longboard.
Ignoring volume and stability
Volume = how floaty your board feels. Beginners need boards with at least 60-100% of their body weight in volume.
More volume means: • Better stability • Easier paddling
• More waves caught • Faster skill building
Extra buoyancy speeds up your progress while keeping you in control. Don’t sacrifice volume for looks.
Overlooking local wave conditions
Your local break should drive your board choice. Small, slow waves need high-volume boards that catch waves easily. Powerful, fast breaks might need lower volume for better control.
Research your spot before you buy. Buying the wrong board for your waves means fewer rides and slower progress.
Not considering your fitness level
Out of shape? Higher-volume boards reduce paddling effort. As your fitness improves, you can size down to more performance-oriented boards.
Older surfers often need extra volume to surf longer without getting gassed. There’s no shame in riding what works for your body.
Your board should match your current fitness – not where you hope to be.
Conclusion – How To Choose A Surfboard
Getting the right surfboard changes everything. No more frustration, just pure stoke when you’re out there catching waves.
Volume is your best friend as a beginner. More buoyancy means more waves caught, more confidence built, and way faster progress. Don’t fight it – embrace it.
Start with the right boards: • Longboards for maximum stability • Funboards for versatility
• Foam boards for safety and fun
Your local waves should drive your decision. Small, mushy surf needs different boards than steep, powerful breaks. Know your spots, choose accordingly.
Construction matters too. Foam boards keep you safe while learning. Epoxy gives you durability with decent performance. Traditional fiberglass feels amazing but needs more care.
Design features like nose shape, tail design, and rocker affect how your board rides. Understanding these basics helps you make smarter choices as you progress.
The right board makes surfing fun. Period. A properly sized, well-volumed board matched to your skill level sets you up for success. Surfing should put a smile on your face – not leave you frustrated and exhausted.
Take your time picking. Be honest about where you’re at. Choose smart.
The perfect wave is out there waiting for you – make sure you’ve got the right board to catch it!
