Getting a beginner surfboard is the first step you should take if you’ve decided to become a surfer. After all, learning how to surf can be time-consuming, but finding the right beginner surfboard for yourself can reduce the time you spend learning.
It’s also worth noting that beginner surfboards are primarily oriented toward being stable, safe, and easy to use. This is different from advanced surfboards which focus on speed, agility, and everything else your adrenaline-pumping heart desires.
But you shouldn’t go looking at cheap surfboards (whether new or old) simply because of their price. There is an art to creating surfboards and so you will want to ensure you always go for reputable surfboard brands.
Before we get into the top 10 best beginner surfboards to get, you’ll first need to understand some of the characteristics and specific info that will help you identify the perfect board for you.
Beginner Surfboard Dimensions
The dimensions are the first feature you should analyze when looking at beginner surfboards. Depending on your size, weight, height, etc., you may need a larger, bulkier board or smaller, slimmer board.
In general, though, the best beginner boards are those that are very stable and buoyant, as this will help you master paddling and popping up quicker and easier.
The 4 main dimensions that boards have are length, width, thickness, and volume.
Length
Beginner surfers should ideally get a longer board (anything longer than 7’ is ideal) because this also increases the other measurements. A longer board means more surface area and mass, which means more buoyancy and stability, which enables beginner surfers to catch small waves easily.
Keep in mind that longboards are perfect for people who have never surfed before. If you’ve got the basics down but still consider yourself a beginner, funshapes might be a better option as they allow for more progression and skill-learning (carving, hacking, turning, etc.)
Width
The wider the board, the more stable you’ll be while paddling or standing on the board. Beginner surfboards are usually between 22” and 24” in width.
Thickness
In general, you won’t want a surfboard that is over 3” or below 2.5” in thickness. This is because boards that are too thick may prove too difficult to maneuver, while boards that are too thin may lack the necessary buoyancy to keep you going.
The good news is that virtually all beginner surfboards are designed with this in mind, so you won’t have to overanalyze this dimension too much.
Volume
Volume is measured in liters and affects how much space in the water your board will take. As a beginner, you don’t have to burden yourself with this measurement since all the other dimensions determine volume.
In short, longboards (boards for beginners) will have a higher volume than shortboards (boards for advanced & experienced surfers).
Beginner Surfboard Types
There are two primary surfboard types for beginners - longboards and funshapes. Depending on your skill level, one of these will be a better choice than the other, but let’s take a look at what sets them apart so you can easily determine which one you need.
Longboards
Due to their size and shape, longboards are perfect for surfing beginners who have never surfed before in their lives. This is because they are heavy and provide the most stability, making them ideal for learning the ropes of surfing.
However, once you cement the fundamentals, you may come to the realization that turning these large boards or trying to ride larger waves is difficult. After all, they are large, and doing advanced techniques on longboards requires board control knowledge and experience.
Funshapes
Funshapes are similar in size and shape to longboards but they do have some key differences that influence how the surfer controls them. For starters, they’re a bit more difficult to paddle on and stand up but they make up this deficit by providing a lot more variety in terms of what you can do on them.
They’re a much better option for surfers who have the fundamentals down to a T and want to ride slightly larger waves.
Top 10 Beginner Surfboards
