The Best Beginner Surfboard 

The best beginner surfboard is one you actually want to surf! Remember that practice and more practice are the key ingredients for learning to surf. Your new board will accompany you on a learning journey that may span months and even years. 

Choosing your first surfboard means deciding what your surfing goals are, your physical ability, and what type of waves you will most likely be riding. The best board is one that strikes a balance between bringing you enjoyment and allowing your surf skills to progress. Generally speaking, a good beginner surfboard will provide paddle power, control, and stability. This means a larger board with more volume, or buoyancy, making it easier to catch waves as well as provide stability when standing. 

The Best Beginner Surfboards:

• Longboards 8ft. or longer to make catching waves easier
• Have rounded noses and wider tails to provide stability
• Feature lots of volume that will float you well (thick boards), which makes paddling easier
• Is light enough for you to carry to the beach and control in the white water

The worst beginner surfboards are the exact opposite: thin, narrow, and short. These low-volume shortboards are high-performing but a nightmare to learn how to surf on unless you are in excellent physical condition and are learning at a steep, fast wave. 

Other key elements to consider is your surfboard construction—whether the board is a soft-top (foam deck), or made from epoxy or polyurethane (P/U), the type of wave and conditions you will be surfing, and your starting level of mobility and physical ability. Finally, consider the other gear you might need and what the next steps are after purchasing your first surfboard. 

Congratulations, you are starting on an incredible journey by learning how to surf!

Are Longboards or Shortboards Best for Beginner Surfers?

It is generally recommended that anyone learning how to surf start on a longboard. This is the method we use at Bodhi Surf + Yoga and the one you’ll find at surf schools across the world. Having more volume (buoyancy) will make paddling, catching a wave, and standing on the board easier. The best longboards for beginners can range from 8ft. to 10ft. and depends on your weight, height, and physical ability. 

First, you’ll want to learn how to control your surfboard by learning to surf in the whitewater or after the wave has broken. After that, you can practice paddling out past the breaking waves. This can be a little tricky with a high-volume longboard, so mastering this step is crucial in order to practice catching waves. Once you paddle out past the breaking waves, having a longboard will make the process of learning to pop-up on a green wave much easier.

Shortboards, on the other hand, are lightweight and highly maneuverable. This can be tempting since they are easier to transport, carry, and control from a standing position. The downside, however, is that they are extremely inefficient paddling since you are much lower in the water (as opposed to on top of the water). Standing on a shortboard also requires precise timing and agility, which is made more difficult by their slower paddle speed.

Of course, there are exceptions to this rule! If you are fit and dedicated, and you know you want to eventually become a shortboarder, some beginners can successfully skip the longboard stage. Another exception will be if you are learning at a short-board-only beach, which is typically a fast, hollow wave. These tend to be crowded surf spots where the unwritten rule is to use shortboards since longboards weigh much more and can become a hazard in crowded line-ups with fast-breaking waves. In addition, for children and petite adults, a shortboard may provide the same stability as a longboard, but the weight of the board will be more manageable. 

Types of Beginner Surfboard Constructions: Soft-tops, Epoxy, or P/U

To find the best beginner surfboard, it’s important to consider what the board is made of. There are many different types of surfboards, but most of them fit into three categories: soft-tops, epoxy, and polyurethane (P/U). Each surfboard is made in a slightly different way, but all three can function as excellent beginner surfboards.

Soft-top Surfboards

These boards have a soft-foam construction with a smooth foam deck. This can provide both safety and comfort for beginner surfers, especially since beginners are more prone to falls and collisions with other surfers. These boards can also withstand careless dings (bumping the board into walls and car doors). This durability is especially useful for children who often run the boards into the sand while learning to surf in shallow water. 

Soft-tops don’t need wax and typically come with plastic fins and a leash, making learning to surf easy and convenient. Most soft-tops are already sized for beginners, with wide shapes and lots of volume offering more stability. This makes it easy to paddle and catch waves—which is important for beginners to improve their skills. Soft-tops are ideal for the first phase of the learning process if you are new to ocean sports. 

The Benefits of Soft-Tops:

• Easy and convenient to learn on
• Durable and low-maintenance
• Cheaper than traditional surfboards

The downside of soft-tops is due to their cheap construction. They tend to break or snap in large waves (6ft. or bigger), meaning their use is limited to small or medium-sized waves. Although ideal for beginners, improving your technical skills is somewhat limited on a soft-top. The plastic fins help to prevent injury, but combined with a thick tail, learning to turn the surfboard can feel near impossible for a beginner. 

If you plan to surf on occasion, offer the board to relatives, and aren’t interested in dedicating the time necessary to improve your skills quickly, a soft-top is a good option for you.

Epoxy Surfboards

Epoxy surfboards are made with a type of foam core called expanded polystyrene foam (EPS foam) and epoxy resin. This lightweight foam provides a lot of buoyancy and is extremely lightweight. This can be beneficial for beginners who are still learning to maneuver their boards in the whitewater. They are also easier to carry and handle out of the water as well, compared to traditional P/U boards. Epoxy boards are known for their durability and are less prone to dings (damage) than P/U boards.  

Benefits of Epoxy Surfboards:

• Lightweight construction makes them easier to carry and maneuver in the white-water
• Durability is an added bonus since they will last a long time if properly cared for
• Increased buoyancy helps float beginner surfers higher out of the water, which helps paddling and catching waves
• Thinner rails make turning the board easier than soft-tops allowing beginner surfers to improve their skills over time
• Making an EPS surfboard is often considered the more environmentally friendly option due to its durability

The downside with these boards is that they are generally more expensive than P/U boards, are harder to duck-dive, and may feel too light for some beginner surfers. They are also often mass-produced and, therefore, can lack the human touch of a P/U surfboard. 

Once your surf skills advance significantly, there are other more nuanced differences between epoxy and P/U boards: less flex, stiffer, and more chatter. These boards can have less “hold” through turns, and in steep hollow waves, they don’t cut through the water quite as well as a P/U board.

However, for most beginner surfers and recreational surfers who are primarily focused on having a good time catching lots of waves, an epoxy surfboard is an excellent beginner surfboard. In fact, more and more professional surfers performing large aerials and surfing massive barrels are using epoxy surfboards each year.

Polyurethane Surfboards

A polyurethane core and polyester resin are the traditional methods of making surfboards. As such, P/U boards range from excellent beginner long-boards to high-performance short-boards. These boards are typically hand-made and, therefore, customizable for your unique dimensions and surfing level. The more layers of fiberglass cloth over the foam core, the heavier and stronger the board will be.  

The Benefits of P/U Surfboards:

• More responsive and controlled feel underfoot and is the classic “surfboard” feel
• Slightly heavier boards can create a more balanced ride with enough weight to maintain momentum through turns and on mushier waves
• An excellent choice if you want one surfboard to last your entire learning process and beyond

The drawbacks of P/U boards are that they get dinged and dented the easiest of all three constructions. They can also crack and take on water or even snap completely in half if the waves are powerful enough, requiring most P/U riders to keep a ding repair kit at home. The manufacturing process is slightly less environmentally friendly since the polyester resin is highly toxic to humans. 

P/U surfboards are often considered works of art, and their fragility is part of their beauty. These boards should be handled with great care and kept out of the sun except for surfing. When treated respectfully, these boards can last for years and even decades.

Key Factors for Learning How to Surf: Types of Waves and Knowing When to Paddle Out 

Understanding the different types of ocean waves helps determine what type of conditions to expect at your local surfing break. We categorize waves based on the ocean floor that cause waves to break and are commonly grouped into beach breaks, reef breaks and point breaks.

Beach Breaks

A beach break is a wave that breaks over sand. These are typically the most consistent waves and usually the best for beginners because the seafloor is softer and safer. The waves of a beach break are consistent— so as long as there is swell, there is always something to surf. They are also ever-changing since the seafloor is sand and shifts with the currents and tides. This makes beach breaks an excellent surfing spot to learn how to surf since you can practice in all types of conditions and go both right and left on the wave. 

Don’t get confused with the term shore break. This is when a wave breaks directly onto the shore, which happens when the bottom of the seafloor transitions quickly from deep to shallow. Shore breaks are probably the worst surfing spot to learn how to surf since the waves break quickly in shallow water. 

Reef Breaks

A reef break is a wave that breaks over a coral reef or a rocky reef shelf. Because the seafloor is fixed, the waves tend to crash in the same way day after day. These types of breaks are more dangerous than beach breaks because the bottom of the seafloor is rocky or razor-sharp, and the water can be extremely shallow. 

The Surfing 2024 Paris Olympics was held at a reef break called Teahupo’o, which is off the coast of Tahiti. This wave and others like it form huge, beautiful barrels that highly advanced surfers from around the world chase.

Point Breaks

A point break is a surf break where the shoreline extends out to sea, creating a headland. The wave hits the headland or jetty and begins to peel along the extending shoreline, creating a wave that is long, well-formed, and consistently breaks down the line, allowing for a long ride. Point breaks are extremely popular surfing beaches due to the waves’ consistently excellent shape. 

Point breaks can create very long, reliable waves that always peel in the same direction off the point. Point breaks are known for producing the longest rides in surfing. They typically have only one or two take-off points so surfers must respect surf etiquette and wait their turn to catch a wave. 

Overcrowding at point breaks combined with too many beginner surfers can frustrate locals often resulting in a more aggressive line-up. Remember to always respect surf etiquette including respecting the right of way, don’t drop in on surfers, and avoid having you or your surfboard from becoming an obstacle. 

In all three waves, it’s important to respect local surfers and learn the unique customs of the spot where you are surfing. Take turns catching waves and never get too close to other surfers since losing control of your board could seriously injure or harm other surfers. Make sure you speak with the local surf shop or beachgoers to ask whether a particular surf spot is good for beginners. Take your trash with you and pick up any trash you see left behind. Over time, you will become that “local” who cherishes their home break and encourages others to do the same.

Things to Know Before Paddling Out

As mentioned, determining the correct beach is crucial for learning how to surf. Costa Rica, for example, has countless surfing beaches, but other countries may only have a handful. Combine this with learning how to read a surf report, and you will be fully prepared to make the best decision as to whether you should paddle out or not. 

Remember that to improve your surfing it helps to improve your overall fitness and mobility. Lastly, check out any other surf gear you might need such as a leash, wax or wetsuit. 

It’s easy and free to teach yourself how to surf, but you’ll progress much faster with guidance and a streamlined process. At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we teach seven steps to create confident, independent surfers. 

Final Tips for Buying a Beginner Surfboard

• Choose the right board for your ability. Starting with a longboard will help you enjoy the process of learning as you slowly progress to shorter boards if that’s your goal. Consider your fitness and mobility, and remember that some professional surfers only ride longboards, which is a competitive sport all of its own. 
• Find a board that fits your height and weight. The taller and heavier you are, the bigger board you need. The more your board floats with you on top of it, the easier and more enjoyable learning to surf will be. Catching lots of waves and learning the fundamentals in this way will pay off. 
• Don’t overthink it! Most longboards and soft-tops will make excellent beginner boards. Remember, it’s not the board that will determine your success; rather, it is your patience and perseverance to learn a new sport. 
• Try as many different boards as possible. Borrow boards, go to a surf camp, or buy used boards to gain experience and comfort on a variety of surfboards. This will help you determine which board is best for you and give you the confidence to invest in a long-term, custom-built piece of art. Most experienced surfers have a variety of different boards that suit different beaches, conditions, and moods of the surfer. 
• Enjoy the process!