How to choose your first surfboard?
There ideal board allows you to progress little by little at a higher level while having fun. Don't forget that if this first surfboard is well chosen, it will ensures comfort no matter what level you reach afterwards. The mistake essential to avoid, a board too small long and not very bulky. Don't be fooled by appearances, many of the surfers you come across generally have small boards. This doesn't mean it's the ideal board. Each surfer has their own level, style and choice of board.
- Foam board:
The construction of these boards is ideal for the safety of oneself and other users. The foam absorbs shock and helps prevent accidents while having a solid appearance. In addition, the material provides good stability due to its shape and flotation. It allows you to progress without too much difficulty. You can find our buying guide on foam boards here .
- Choose the size of your board
THE size is important to choose your board, depending on its size and weight, the dimensions of your future board will not be the same. The purpose of this board is to allow you to have a good stability and flotation . It is therefore important that this board is wide and thick with proportional length. For its length, do not choose less than 7 feet. These factors represent the volume of a surfboard. The more you progress, the more you will be able to reduce the volume of your board. To give you an example, the ideal size for the adults is located between a board of 9' to 7 feet and for the children to teenagers between 7' to 5 feet.
- What shape (shape of the board)
Longboard : Longboarding generally starts around 8'5. It allows for great ease of paddling with very good buoyancy. This board is generally used for small, soft or foamy waves due to its volume and its substantial size which does not allow great maneuverability. It can be used by all levels, many surfers use it in an "old school" way by performing elegant tricks.
Info: The longboard is the oldest board that was created.
Funboard / Mini Malibu : These boards are between 7'0 and 8'5. These are boards that allow you to have a smaller volume than a longboard but still maintain good stability and flotation. This type of board is ideal for beginners, very useful in small conditions and allows you to have more responsiveness than a longboard. It is a board that easily passes through small to medium waves without difficulty.
Hybrid : This is the ideal board model between a funboard and a shortboard. Situated between a height of 6'0 to 7'0, it has the fairly large volume of a funboard and the responsiveness of a shortboard. Ideal for an intermediate level, it allows you to move between two boards. Very useful to take you to a shortboard type board. It is the most versatile board allowing you to surf all conditions.
Shortboard : The shortboard is a board for intermediate to advanced levels. It is the most used board of all. Used in all types of conditions, it will allow you to constantly evolve. These boards are below 6'4. These are very responsive boards, the smallest in terms of volume. Ideal for performance, it allows you to adapt your speed and turns. Find here our buying guide how to choose your shortboard?
Fish : The stability and buoyancy of a large board and the responsiveness of a shortboard. It's the perfect mix for "old school" surfing with big curves in small to medium waves. Its shape allows easy starts in the waves. These boards are below 6'5. Generally used in Twin Fin it will allow you to have a simple surf with long curves and less technical maneuvers than a shortboard.
Our opinion: With experience you will know which board is best suited to your level and style of surfing that you are going to develop. The different shapes allow everyone to have their preferences depending on their level and the different types of waves you are going to surf.