What Surfboard is right for me?

There's no doubt, buying your very first surfboard can be confusing.

What surfboard is right for me?

How much will the right surfboard cost me?

Should I buy a hard or a soft surfboard?

When buying a surfboard, the choices are almost endless.  It's no wonder you are confused and wonder what surfboard you should buy.  Surfing technology has come a long way since it's beginning over half a decade ago.  Thanks to todays modern surfboards, learning how to surf has become a pleasurable experience. The beginner's surfboards are much lighter, tougher, and safer than the older surfboards.

The Benefits of a Soft Surfboard

The most popular surfboard with beginners is the soft surfboard, and for very good reason.  The paddling doesn't get any easier than with a soft surfboard because of its bouncy.  A soft surfboard has more buoyancy, stability and grip than a regular fiberglass surfboard.  The length of a soft board is usually between 7 and 10 feet because a larger board is easier to balance than a smaller board.

The soft, rubber like material that is used for the top surface of these surfboards provides plenty of stability and will hold up in even tough conditions.  While it is very strong and durable it is also safe enough not to hurt anyone if you happen to lose your surfboard among a crowd of swimmers.

The base of a soft surfboard is a smooth, yet soft skin.  The skin will allow you to glide through the water with some of the speed of a fiberglass board because it reduces the friction of the water's surface.

What surfboard height should I purchase?

Length is definitely something you should consider when you are wondering what surfboard to buy.  Most people learn on a surfboard that is several feet longer than their height.  Keep in mind, the longer the surfboard the more stable it will be.  You may want to choose a board that's a little thicker than normal if you are heavier than average.  Check out our surfboard height and weight chart 

What surfboard should I buy - new or used?

The answer to this question will likely be determined by your budget.  You should also think about how much you will use the board.  A person that uses a board often will learn quickly and will probably outgrow a soft surfboard rather quickly.  Because a soft surfboard is made with long lasting materials, there should be plenty of used surfboards in a condition that's good enough to learn on.

Take a look at our selection of used surfboards for some excellent value beginner and pro boards.