The best surfboards for beginners

Everyone, including the legendary Kelly Slater himself, has gone through their beginner phase. And during this stage, you need a surfboard with specific characteristics. In this Mundo-Surf article, we want to help you choose the right board for this initial learning phase. Are you ready to start gliding on the waves?

What do you need to start surfing?

If we stick to the essentials, the bare minimum for surfing is a surfboard with its fins and leash. However, there are now accessories that can enhance your surfing experience, making it safer and more comfortable. If we were to list the basic equipment for surfing throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions, we would say you should have:

Surfboard
Fins
Leash or leg rope
Traction pad
Wax or paraffin
Neoprene wetsuit
Booties
Surf gloves
Surf hat

With this equipment, you have everything you need to practice our favorite sport, even in challenging conditions.

Surfboards for adult beginners

If you’re reading this, you’re probably taking your first steps in surfing. You’ve practiced this sport with rented or borrowed boards and you’re ready to buy your own. But you’re not sure which board is best for you.

As a general rule, the most recommended board models for beginners are softboards, commonly known as foam boards. The advantages of these white boards are that they have superior buoyancy, and their reduced weight and soft top coating reduce the risk of accidents from impacts with the board itself.

What are the dimensions of surfboards for beginners?

The measurements of beginner surfboards typically tend to be larger. These types of boards should have two essential properties: high volume and width.

Why is that? The wider and more voluminous a board is, the easier it is to paddle and the more stability it provides. Expert boards have less volume, requiring more effort to catch waves. It’s also important to choose a board with a volume that matches your weight. As a general rule, the heavier you are, the more volume you will need.

To be specific, the measurements of a beginner surfboard range from 6′ to 7′ for a lightweight child or young adult, and between 7′ and 8′ in length for an average-sized adult. 7′ is often considered the magic size, the most commonly used for beginners. As for the width, it ranges between 20” and 23”. As you may know, surfboard measurements are typically given in inches and feet. If you need to convert them to centimeters, one foot is equal to 30.48 cm, and one inch is equal to 2.54 cm.

The best types of surfboards for beginners

At Mundo-Surf, we will show you which type of surfboard to choose for these early stages of learning. We will focus on three key concepts: volume, stability, and safety. There are several models of beginner-friendly surfboards, and we will concentrate on these, regardless of the brand.

Foam surfboard

As mentioned earlier, these boards are commonly known as “softboards” or “foamies”. They are the safest option for starting to surf. Originally designed for beginners, they have evolved in terms of shapes and performance, so you can now find boards of this type suitable for all types of surfers.

Evolution surfboard

This is a board that falls between a shortboard and a beginner’s board. This type of board will allow you to perform your first surfing maneuvers. It serves as a transition board from beginner to intermediate level.

Malibu surfboard

The Malibu surfboard is considered one of the best surfboards for beginners due to its buoyancy and stability. It is characterized by making paddling much easier and allowing for proper posture correction. It is perfect for small or flat waves.

Fish surfboard

Generally, though not always, fish surfboards tend to have a width greater than 20 inches, making them very stable. With small waves, there is much greater control, as the larger surface area that contacts the wave generates more speed without requiring advanced techniques. The nose and tail rocker profiles on fish surfboards are usually low. They are boards that allow progression from an intermediate to an advanced surfing level.

Longboard surfboard

This type of surfboard is characterized by being large and having a high volume. It is perfect for small, flat waves with low power. It’s important to remember that more volume means more buoyancy, which translates to greater speed when catching waves.

However, they have the disadvantage of being less maneuverable due to their weight. It’s important to note that these boards are not for beginners; on the contrary, they are designed for experienced surfers who have developed advanced skills and techniques.

Shortboard surfboard

The shortboard is the most popular model among advanced to expert level surfers and is commonly seen on beaches. These boards are fast and highly maneuverable. However, they are not the most suitable type of board for beginners to start surfing as they require surfers to be in good physical shape and have a high level of technical skill. It’s important not to make the mistake of transitioning too quickly to this type of board without having the necessary skill level and physical condition.