As a beginner surfer, it’s important to choose the right board for your skill level. If you’re just getting started, you won’t want something too small or narrow; instead, look for a board that will be easier to maneuver and stay on top of. Here are some good choices from beginner surfers:
Table of Contents
Shortboards
Shortboards are the most common type of board and are great for beginners. They’re smaller and more maneuverable, which makes them easier to paddle and less prone to crashing. Shortboards have a wide variety of shapes, but they’re usually somewhere between 6’0″ and 8’0″. In general, these boards are easy to turn because their design makes them responsive when you lean into the wave or pivot around it during turns. While this is good for smaller waves (where stability isn’t as big a deal), if you want a longboard with more stability, check out our recommendations below!
Funboards
Funboards are good for beginners and bodyboarding, because they are stable and easy to ride in small waves. They’re also a good choice if you’re going to be surfing in waves with a lot of power. They can be used as shortboards, but they have wider noses than your average shortboard.
Because funboards offer more stability, they can be ridden by more people than traditional shortboards or longboards. If you plan on learning how to surf with a board that has a wide nose and tail without being too hard on your knees or ankles, this is likely the best choice for you if you have no prior experience riding waves before.
Paddle/Malibu boards
A paddle board is a great option for beginners. They are wider and more stable than surfboards, making them easier to balance on while learning to surf. The wider surface area of the paddle board also helps with stability in the water, whereas surfboards will be much more prone to tipping over if you don’t have strong balance.
Paddle boards are often used for surfing on flat water (i.e., lakes or ponds), but they can also be used in some degree of ocean conditions as well—however, you should still consider your skill level before taking your new board into rougher waters!
Fish boards
The fish board is a cross between a longboard and a shortboard. It is designed to be more stable than shorter boards, but still fast and maneuverable. This makes it perfect for beginners who are still learning to surf, as well as experienced surfers who want something that is less prone to tipping over on flat days or in rough waves.
The fish design was created by Tom Parrish in the 1960s. His goal was to create a board that combined the stability of longboards with the speed and maneuverability of shortboards. The result was an extremely successful design that has remained popular ever since its introduction!
Longboards
Longboards are the most stable and forgiving boards, making them ideal for beginners. They’re also great for long distance paddling and can be used in a variety of conditions. The three main things to keep in mind when choosing a longboard are:
- Size – You need to make sure you choose a board that will fit your weight, height and skill level. If you’re a beginner or under 150 lbs., then something around 8 feet should be perfect!
- Shape – Longboards come in many different shapes so it’s important to know what kind of wave you want to surf before investing in one specific model. A directional nose will work well for surfing down the line on flat water whereas a round nose is better suited for turning into waves at slow speeds (you won’t have time so don’t worry about speed).
If you’re new to surfing, you’ll want a board that is more stable and not as narrow.
If you’re new to surfing, you’ll want a board that is more stable and not as narrow. If you’re planning on getting your first board, keep these tips in mind:
- Look for a board with moderate volume (around 40 liters) and an outline shape that is slightly wider than average.
- You should feel comfortable standing on the deck before buying it. Ideally, the width of your chest should fit evenly between the rails so that when it’s flat on its side, there’s about 2 inches of space between them (this will give some wiggle room for paddling).
Conclusion
There are a lot of different types of surfboards out there and it can be difficult to know which one is right for you as a beginner. Picking the wrong board can be really frustrating and even dangerous, so we’ve created this guide to help you choose wisely!
In conclusion, we hope that our guide has been helpful in your decision-making process. No matter what type of surfer you are or will be someday, there’s always something new to learn about boards. If you’re looking to switch up your surfing style with something different than what we’ve talked about here today then don’t worry—there’s an endless supply of information available online just waiting for someone like you!
