If you’ve recently started surfing and got hooked on the sport, you might be planning to purchase your first surfboard. If you don’t know where to start in choosing a surfboard, you’ve come to the right place!
In this article we go over the best beginner surfboards, but not just that.
Instead of just listing surfboard brands, we have outlined in detail all the measurements and characteristics you need to take into account when choosing your beginner surfboard.
It’s not as simple as saying that a specific brand has the best foam surfboard for beginners. The best starter surfboard will be different for everyone, and change depending on their height, weight and fitness level.
This guide isn’t just a list of the best surfboards for beginners, this guide will help you understand exactly what features you need to take into account when choosing the right surfboard for you.
We also review some of the most common surfboards that you will usually find in stores and surf schools.
These tend to be the easiest surfboards to learn on, and are thus a great purchase if you want a good beginner surfboard.
So what are you waiting for? Read on and find your perfect beginner surfboard!
Greta learning to surf on a foam surfboard in Fuerteventura, Spain
Best size surfboard for beginners: What to consider
When shopping for surfboards, you will find that there are four measurements you need to know.
All surfboards are measured like this, so understanding them now will help you also as you progress through your surfing journey.
You will usually find these measurements written on the bottom of the surfboard. Most are pretty self explanatory, but we have listed them all below anyway.
Length – Usually measured in feet, this is the length of the surfboard from tail to nose.
Width – Usually measured in inches, the width is the size of the deck, from one rail to the other of the surfboard.
Thickness – Usually measured in inches, the thickness refers to the size from the bottom to the deck of the surfboard.
Litres – This is the main measurement you might not have heard about before. Litres refers to the volume of the surfboard, and how much it floats.
The higher the litres, the more buoyancy it has and the more it floats (meaning it’s easier to paddle and catch waves).
An example of how the measurements are displayed on a surfboard
When it comes to surfboards, we all want the best board, the one that looks the coolest, the most professional and easiest to carry around.
However, the truth is that the best surfboards for beginners are the most practical ones, not necessarily the fanciest ones.
Choosing a board that is too small for your surf level is the most common mistake that new surfers make when purchasing their first surfboard.
When wondering how long it takes to learn surfing, people think that if they get a more advanced board they’ll learn faster, but that’s actually far from the truth.
It’s very important to understand that if you do not choose the correct board, your first experiences in the water will be very frustrating, you will struggle to stand up and you will feel that this sport isn’t for you.
Don’t make this mistake, and choose one amongst the thousands of soft boards available today, of all types of materials, sizes, volumes and colours.
The different parts of a surfboard outlined
Examples of best type of surfboard for beginners
As we already mentioned it’s not about the best surfboard brands for beginners, but about the individual measurements of each board.
There isn’t a single best first surfboard for everyone, it all depends on your specific circumstances.
Now that you know what the numbers and surfboard measurements mean, we can go into more detail and review some common beginner surfboards that you can buy.
If you can’t find the exact boards listed below don’t worry, as a board of similar measurements will also do the trick.
Greta’s family surfing for the first time on foam surfboards
Indio 8 feet foam surfboard
Measurements:
- Length: 8 feet
- Width: 26 inches
- Thickness: 4 inches
- Volume: 95 litres
This board is one of the most common amongst surf schools, since it can be used by almost everyone and is considered the best board to learn to surf.
It’s 8-foot size means it’s long enough to not nosedive in the water, but it’s not too long so as to be annoying to carry.
The width of 26 inches allows you to have plenty of lateral stability, so that you can feel comfortable and balance when you’re on it.
The 4 inches of thickness and 95 litres of volume mean it floats a lot. With this board you will feel comfortable, it will be easier to stand up and it will help you flow very easily.
Without a doubt, it’s one of the most recommended standard surfboards for beginners, and one that doesn’t require any advanced sporting or physical skills.
Click here to purchase your 8ft beginner surfboard!
An 8ft Indio soft board, one of the most common beginner surfboards
MDNS Surf 8 feet foam surfboard
Measurements:
- Length: 8 feet
- Width: 23 1/2 inches
- Thickness: 4 3/4 inches
- Volume: 85.3 litres
This board has the same length as the previous one (8 feet), but it has a different width and volume.
Similarly to the previous one it’s still very stable, it’s just a bit narrower, it has less litres and the tail is a bit more narrow too. This gives you a bit of manoeuvrability on the sides.
This is a surfboard for someone who isn’t a total beginner, and has already surfed often enough to begin to understand the movements needed to go from one side to the other (left or right).
Click here to find the perfect 8ft surfboard for you!
An 8ft foam surfboard – a popular beginner surfboard!
MDNS Surf 7 feet foam surfboard
Measurements:
- Length: 7 feet
- Width: 25 1/2 inches
- Thickness: 4 1/4 inches
- Volume: 97.45 litres
The difference in measurements between this surfboard and the first board is very little. It does the same job, but is a foot lower in length, which makes it more suitable for shorter people.
Click here to purchase your 7ft beginner surfboard!
A 7ft foam surfboard
Indio 9 feet beginner surfboard
Measurements:
- Length: 9 feet
- Width: 29 5/8 inches
- Thickness: 4 2/5 inches
- Volume: 147 litres
When it comes to stability and ease of use, this beginner surfboard is the queen of these qualities.
This board is very long and has a lot of volume, which makes it one of the best surfboards for beginners, as it will be easy to stand up.
However, you need to take into account that, the greater the length, width and volume, the harder it is to carry and manoeuvre the board.
This applies both to outside the water to when you carry it around, and inside the water when you start standing and surfing.
For this reason, even though it might be the easiest surfboard to learn on, these surfboards are best suited for very tall and/or robust people.
Click here to purchase your 9ft foam beginner surfboard!
A 9ft Indio foam surfboard – perfect for beginners!
Ocean & Earth 7.6 feet board
Measurements:
- Length: 7.6 feet
- Width: 22 1/8 inches
- Thickness: 3 1/4 inches
- Volume: 64 litres
This board is ideal for catching your first green waves. With its 64 litres of volume, it gives you enough buoyancy to aid your paddle and to help you catch your first wave in the pocket.
The width of 22 ⅛ inches is almost the same a short fibre board, which gives it more fluidity when catching the wave and during its flow.
This will also allow you to have more manoeuvrability compared to all the previous surfboards, but without being so unstable that it will frustrate your surfing progress.
A 7.6ft Ocean & Earth foam surfboard – perfect for beginners who have surfed before
At 7.6 foot length it’s not too short, but it’s also not too long, meaning you won’t get stuck in the pocket of the wave.
It’s a very fast surfboard, while at the same time being very stable, which is ideal for learning to catch waves before they break.
It’s a great surfboard for beginners who are ready to take that next step from whitewater foam waves to green waves.
It allows you to experience for the first time what it’s like to be in the line-up. It’s an evolutionary board that will provide you with both security and fun in the water.
Click here to purchase your 7.6ft foam surfboard!
Greta surfing on a foam surfboard in Tenerife, Spain
Ocean & Earth 7 foot low volume surfboard
Measurements:
- Length: 7 feet
- Width: 22 1/8 inches
- Thickness: 3 1/4 inches
- Volume: 60 litres
Much more than a surfboard, this one is a progressive surfboard to catch waves in the pocket and to understand how to turn left and right.
It’s more manoeuvrable, but it’s still stable enough for those who can already control their weight when lying down on the board, and who have a good paddle.
With a volume of 60 litres, it’s still a pretty stable surfboard for this level.
It’s one foot shorter than the standard beginner surfboards (7 feet), and the width of 22 ⅛ inches gives it the versatility of a short fibre board.
It’s an evolutionary and more advanced fun board, but it can still be classified as a beginner surfboard.
We can recommended it especially for those who have already surfed before, and who want to start advancing in their journey.
Click here to purchase your 7ft foam surfboard!
A 7ft Ocean & Earth foam surfboard
Ocean & Earth 6.6 feet surfboard
Measurements:
- Length: 6.6 feet
- Width: 21 1/4 inches
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Volume: 52 litres
It’s pretty similar to the previous board, but slightly smaller in all its measurement, which gives it more versatility for someone shorter in height and lighter.
It’s both a fairly stable and fun board at the same time.
Click here to find your perfect foam surfboard!
A 6.6ft Ocean & Earth foam surfboard – ideal for more experienced beginners
Where to find cheap surfboards for beginners
Now that you know what all the different measurements mean, have read our reviews for great beginner surfboards and know what beginner surfboard you want, you might be wondering; where do I actually buy it?
Online: For each surfboard listed above we have linked to a website where you can purchase it (or a similar board) and have your surfboard delivered straight to your door!
If you want to save money and prefer a second-hand board, you can search Facebook groups, Facebook marketplace or other similar websites for listings close to you.
Surf shops: In popular beach and surf destinations you will find surf shops at every corner. These sell both new and used boards, so that you can easily find the right one for your surf level and budget.
Ale surfing in Tenerife, Spain
Final thoughts on the best surfboard to learn on
There you have it, the ultimate compilation of beginner surfboards! Have you surfed with one of these boards before? How did you find it? Let us know in the comments below!
We know that big foam surfboards don’t look as cool as the tiny short boards that professionals use, but the reality is that if you don’t start your surfing journey with one of the boards listed above, you will find it almost impossible to learn.
Greta started her surfing journey with one of the 8-foot surfboards, learning at first how to pop up on a surfboard and then gradually progressed to the smaller 6.6-foot one.
We can guarantee that these boards work, and they will give you the confidence to practice and learn. If you’re purchasing a surfboard as a gift for a surfer, make sure to check his surf level beforehand.
With this article we didn’t want to just give you a list of beginner surfboard brands, but a more in depth understanding of exactly what you should be looking out for when choosing a surfboard.
Our review of some popular beginner boards is focused on who these boards are best suited for, and what sort of level you need to use them.
We hope you have found this useful in choosing your first surfboard! If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below!
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