Whereas in the past this size surfboard was reserved for the mini-mal shape, nowadays they're shaped much more for high performance surfing.
A good mid-length will still allow a surfer to put the board on rail, and do some nice carving manoeuvres, with the added benefit of being able to surf in gutless, small waves.
They'll typically be around 6-8 inches longer than your normal sized shortboard, they'll have a decent amount of extra volume for buoyancy, plus they'll have deep channels on the underside of the board for grip too.
The thinking behind such surfboard shapes is this; surfers will ride the wave differently on their backhand or forehand, and a surfboards shape should reflect that.
Choosing your first beginner surfboard can sometimes be very time consuming and frustrating. Some people say get a surfboard that will last and others say to go as big as possible. We’ve compiled this blog post of all the useful information you might need when choosing a surfboard as a beginner.
When picking your first beginner surfboard you don’t want to have a surfboard that’s too small for you to catch any waves but you also don’t want something that’s so big that it becomes difficult to control when surfing a wave into the shore.
A minimal surfboard is what we recommend for most beginner surfers. It is the mid-range of surfboards lengthwise varying from about 7-8ft and about 2 5/8″ – 3” thick. The width of a minimal can vary to cater for the rider but typically they are about 20 1/2″-22 1/2” wide.
The bigger the person, the bigger the surfboard. When you visit a surf shop the staff will point you towards a surfboard that is suitable to you. If you know you are bigger than most however you should lean towards a longboard surfboard of about 9’ in length. The extra length will make the surfboard easier to paddle and catch waves than anything smaller.
Minimal surfboards typically have a rounded nose. This allows the surfboard to have more buoyancy at the front which again makes it easier to paddle and catch waves as a beginner. Make sure the back of the surfboard isn’t too thin however otherwise you’ll be struggling once you’re up and riding a wave.
Soft foam surfboards will allow very little progression for beginners even though they are typically used by most surf schools for lessons. However, due to their soft construction they are very forgiving as they will not hurt you or others around you. This makes a “foamy” the perfect entry level board and good for children. On the other hand, if you are thinking of taking up surfing seriously then a hard board minimal would be recommended, as the “foamies” construction and flexible fins will compromise its performance.
A “hard” surfboard, either polyester or epoxy is what we would recommend for a beginner wanting to progress. A surfboard of this construction will last a long time if kept in good condition and will allow progression further down the line.
Building great boards is part science, and part art. And while much of what board design is about is based on some pretty simple scientific principles, a large part of what we do as shapers is subjective, personal and qualitative, rather than objective, universal, and quantitative. In other words, everybody has their own personal preferences, and every designer/shaper has their own vision and reason for doing what they do, how they do it. Ultimately, we do what feels right in our hands, looks beautiful to our eyes, and works well under our feet. And that is what it's all about.
There's no formula for the magic board, or everybody would be riding the same thing, and factories would be pumping out millions of "Magic Boards."
It's the search... the journey... the process of creating and learning and moving endlessly forward that drives us all - novice and expert alike.
The Greenlight Surfboard Design Guide is a compilation of information about some basic (& some advanced) design aspects of surfboards. We hope to improve your understanding so your personal shapes will continue to improve your surfing experience.
So you’ve had a couple of surf lessons and well and truly caught the surfing bug! Welcome to the club! A good next step if you are looking to improve and get into the water as much as possible is to buy your own beginners surfboard. You can save money on expensive surf hire and have the flexibility to go surfing whenever you want. But there are so many surfboards out there so which is the best surfboard for beginners? And how do you know which surfboard is right for you?
At Circle One, we supply surf schools and outdoor centres across the UK and Ireland, so know exactly what surfboards are best for beginners. We have designed many of our surfboard ranges with beginners in mind and made them ideal for progressing your surf technique. All our surfboards are hand finished and made from quality materials and design. We’ve been at the forefront of UK surfboard design and innovation since 1969 and use our experience in all our boards from beginners to experts.
So the first question is would you prefer to keep learning on a soft top foamie surfboard as you find in most surf schools so may be what you are used to? Many people would say for better progression you should move straight onto a hard surfboard made from epoxy resin or polyester, but we don’t necessarily agree. More and more surfers of all abilities are opting to surf soft top surfboards now, and there is a growing range of well built, technical soft top surfboards on the market. Our Performance Soft Top range by the Australian Board Company is a great example as they are constructed the same as a technical hard surfboard underneath, but with a soft foamie top. They surf the same as a hard surfboard but are more forgiving if you fall onto them. For kids learning in particular soft surfboards are safer and offer good grip.
Or if you like the look of a hard epoxy surfboard, choose a lightweight board with generous volume like our Southern Swells or Pulse surfboard ranges. Learn how to wax your surfboard correctly to ensure you have enough grip all over the board to help you pop up.
Spyder Surfboard reviewsThe length of your surfboard can depend on a number of factors such as your own height and weight, and what length you would be comfortable with. In general as a beginner you should choose a surfboard longer than your height, and with plenty of width and volume to aid buoyancy. This helps you to catch waves and balance better on the board. A mini mal surfboard of around 7′ 6″ – 8′ in length is a popular choice for adults and families looking for a versatile surfboard anyone can enjoy. For kids, teenagers and smaller or lighter adults, you could go shorter and opt for either a funboard of around 7′ or 7′ 2″ or even shorter for kids between 6′ and 7′.
Surfboards come in many different shapes as well as sizes. On a beginner surfboard it is best to go for a board with a rounded nose as that increases buoyancy on the front of the board, improving the ability to paddle into waves. Width is generally important all the way down the board including in the tail to make sure you have plenty of buoyancy when you are up and riding waves. Aim for a surfboard with at least a width of 20″.
Your optimum surfboard volume depends on your weight and ability primarily, but also the size of the waves you are surfing. See the below chart for a guide to the minimum surfboard volume in litres you should look for based on your weight and ability.
Welcome my watery friends to my ‘Surfboard Buying Guide 2023’. If you’re here, you must be after some guidance for the sick new stick you’re thinking of buying!
In this post we’ll be looking at all the major things you need to consider when doing your surfboard buying research. This buying guide is aimed at those new to surfing but can help those of all surfing abilities find their next surfboard.
Well, the answer to this great question is quite hard to determine. That is because everyone reading this blog post will have different levels of surfing ability.
Surfers come in many shapes and sizes, but measuring ability has always been tricky. The standard ‘beginner, intermediate, advanced’ is not super descriptive – so I went ahead and created my own surfing ability levels…
Surfers come in many shapes and sizes, but measuring ability has always been tricky. The standard ‘beginner, intermediate, advanced’ is not super descriptive – so I went ahead and created my own surfing ability levels…
Hopefully, these make what surfing ability level you are a bit more obvious. Knowing this will make the next part of this surfboard buying guide more relevant to you.
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