Surfing refers to a surface water sport where a surfer rides on the forward or face of a moving wave on a surfboard. While on the beach, three things come to mind; sun, sand, and surfing. Over the years, it has become one of the most popular water sports in the world. Regardless of age and skill level, anyone can enjoy this water activity! Surfing is quite similar, to body boarding, as you have a board in the water that you ride on. Though there are some notable differences that make surfing a more entertaining water sport for people who love adventure and want different experiences in the water.
In surfing, a person stands on their feet in a surfboard and ride along the waves of the sea. The surfboards are big compared to the body boards. There are a lot of surfboards available in the market to pick from. These surfboards vary from size; build quality, price, etc. So there are a lot of things that you have to consider when it comes to purchasing the surfboard. Therefore, we bring to you a few of the best beginner surfboards to help you pick the right one.
Top 6 Beginner Surfboards of 2021 (Best Picks)
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6 Best Beginner Surfboards of 2021
- Giantex 6′ Surfboard
- California Board Company Surfboard (7-Feet)
- Wavestorm 8′ Classic Pinline Surfboard
- North Gear 6ft Surfing Thruster Surfboard Ocean Beach Foamie
- BIC Sport PAINT Surfboard
- Liquid Shredder FSE EPS/PE Soft Surf Board
My Top Picks of the Best Beginner Surfboards of 2021
1. Giantex 6′ Surfboard
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If you are searching for a stylist beginner surfboard, then Giantex 6′ Surfboard is the right choice for you. This surfboard has an excellent built quality. The board is made of long-lasting top foam and sensitive bottom skin. The board has a surf leash, fins, and a traction pad. Thought he surfboard is only 6’, it can hold weight up to 200 pounds.
The board is very popular among the beginner surfer because of its color variations. The board is available in three color combinations. They are red and blue, white and blue and yellow and blue. There is a flower at the top of the board, and flame signs run along the deck of the board which creates an amazing texture.
Another startling feature of this surfboard is the removal fins design. Removal fins make the surfboard very easy to transport. Moreover, the fishtail type fins give the surfboard more hold and traction, which allows the surfer to reaches the top speed. Giantex 6′ Surfboard is impeccable for beginner surfer, and it definitely worth the money.
Pros
- Durability & portability
- Can hold 200 pounds at once
- Comes in three color schemes
Cons
- Small in size, not suitable for adults
2. California Board Company Surfboard (7-Feet)
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California Board Company Surfboard (7-Feet) is considered as one of the best surfboards for kids. So if you are looking for beginner surfboards for your children, then you can put your trust in it. The board is 7’ long. It has a traction pad, surf leash, and three fins to move around in the water.
The outlook of this surfboard is very amazing. It has a wooden look that will give the feeling of a vintage wooden surfboard. The deck of the surfboard is made of EPS foam, and the bottom is made of durable Polyethylene. The traction pad provides more grip and control over the board.
Don’t forget the fact that the board is meant for the kids. So this surfboard will work perfectly for kids and people who are small enough to balance on it. This board will be an excellent first surfboard for your kids.
Pros
- Wooden stringers provide durability
- Excellent wooden outlook
- Three fins for mobility
Cons
- Not built for adults
3. Wavestorm 8′ Classic Pinline Surfboard
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Beginner surfers tend to prefer soft boards for surfing. Soft boards are made of durable foams, and they are less likely to cause injury when surfers fall off. Wavestorm is a very renowned soft board manufacturer company, so if you are a beginner surfer you can put your money on Wavestorm 8′ Classic Pinline Surfboard.
This surfboard is 8’ long and 2‘wide. The top of this board has water barrier skin, and it provides a stable platform for new surfers. It has high-density polyethylene (HDPE) slick bottom, which ensures the durability of the board. A new blue-white color pinline graphic art deck makes this surfboard one of the elegant surfboards available in the market.
Wavestorm 8′ Classic Pinline Surfboard comes with removable fins, an ankle leash, and a traction pad. The board can hold weight up to 200 pounds. Since the board is for beginner surfer, it is very much useless in big, massive waves. However, if you combine the quality of the board with its price it’s a bargain.
Pros
- Removable fins
- Excellent durability
- Affordable price
Cons
- Useless in big waves
4. North Gear 6ft Surfing Thruster Surfboard Ocean Beach Foamie
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The North Gear 6ft Surfing Thruster Surfboard will make your surfing affordable. This surfboard is perfect for novice surfers who are trying to improve their surfing skills. The board is made of durable foam and has high-density polyethylene (HDPE) slick bottom, which ensure the sturdiness of the board.
The surfboard has removable fins, an ankle leash, and a traction pad. It has three equally sized fins arranged in a thruster setup, which ensures stability and increases speed. Removal fins make the surfboard very easy to transport. Moreover you can also set up a twin fin system!
North Gear 6ft Surfing Thruster Surfboard has rounded nose shape. This type of shape makes the board more resilient, so you get more float and paddle power. It has vibrant Polynesian graphics across the deck, which makes you feel surfing in tropical islands.
Pros
- Lightweight & affordable
- Superslick bottom
- Great customer service
Cons
- Deck graphics fade quickly
- Weak leash plug
5.BIC Sport PAINT Surfboard
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BIC Sport PAINT Surfboard is a perfect board for novice surfers who are looking for a well-crafted surfboard that guides its riders into ultimate progression. This board has a tight, plastic outer shell that can take knocks, dings, smashes, and keep your board safe from damage. Moreover, it has an EPS core with molded-in wood stringers for better durability.
This surfboard is available in three sizes: 5’6″, 6’0″, and 6’6″. The sizes indicate that it is perfect for kids and teenagers. They will easily fit on this board and practice in small waves to develop their surfing skills. The board is available in three colors, red/green, white/purple/green, and white/blue/yellow.
The board is relatively small, so it is perfect for kids, teenagers, and small adults. Unfortunately, this board doesn’t come with a surf leash, and the top is bit slippery. So there are chances you will fall down from the board. Don’t take this board deep into the water, or you will face trouble getting back to land if you fall off.
Pros
- Cool color scheme
- Great for kids and teenagers
Cons
- No surfing leash
- Slippery top
6. Liquid Shredder FSE EPS/PE Soft Surf Board
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Have your kids shown interest in surfing? Do they want to learn surfing? If so, then do your child a favor by getting him or her Liquid Shredder FSE EPS/PE Soft Surf Board. It is one of the best beginner surfboards available in the market.
It is a very lightweight and highly floating soft board, makes it an excellent surfing board for kids and beginner surfer. This surfboard measures 6’x 20” x 2.5” and holds weight up to 120 lbs. It has a hand-shaped design so kids can easily carry this board with them.
The board has an excellent built quality. The board is made of EPS core, and the deck is made of Expanded Polyethylene (EPE) foam. The surfboard has white Polypropylene (PP) slick bottom that ensures rigid, hard, slick, and super fast speed. The board is available in three colors, blue, red, and yellow.
Pros
- Solid and unyielding
- Lightweight and portable
- Highly buoyant and stable
Cons
- Less weight capacity
- No surfing leash
How to Choose the Best Beginner Surfboard
All the beginner surfboards on our list are worth the value, but you have to remember that there are considerable variations among surfboards, and they work differently in different circumstances. So not every board will fulfill your requirements and worth the money. There are a few very important factors that you have to consider before buying the beginner surfboard.
Surfboard Size
For beginner surfer, surfboard size is very important. As a novice, you should look for big surfboard because the bigger the board is, the easier it will be for you to catch waves. So you should pick boards between 7 and 9 feet, and you will have plenty of legroom. Once you learn the basic skills of surfing, you can move to smaller surfboards.
Materials
Make sure you buy surfboards that are made of softer materials like Foam. Generally, soft board floats better than the heard board, and the chance of getting yourself injured remain less when a wipeout occurs. So until you become a pro surfer stick with the soft board.
Weight & Height
Weight and height play a very important role while picking a beginner surfboard. Your weight and height will determine how easy or difficult it will be for you to move and paddle the surfboard in the water. If you weight more, then you will need bigger surfboard to maintain balance. In contrast, you will need a smaller surfboard if you are a small person.
Wave Size
Different wave size has a different impact on surfboard. Generally, for smaller waves, large surfboards are best. A large surfboard will give more stability and control in the water. The extra length will help you ride over the small waves very easily. Larger waves, on the other hand, require small surfboards. For large waves, you will need more control and turning ability. Big surfboards are thrown around too much by big waves so that you will need the control and agility of a small surfboard. If you are a beginner then you should start with small waves and large surfing board. Once you have learned the fundamentals of surfing then you can move onto large waves with small surfboards.
Surfboard Shape
As a beginner surfer, you don’t have to think much about the shape of the board, tail shape, and number of fins on your surfboard. The reason behind is; first few months, you don’t have to worry about turning or doing maneuvers. So it doesn’t matter whether your surfboard is a swallowtail or a pintail and how many fins it got.
For the record, 3 fins board is best for turning, maneuvering, and it is the most efficient fin set up for the advanced and intermediate surfer.
FAQs about Surfboards
What is a beginner surfboard?
A beginner surfboard refers to a surfing board that helps a novice learn all the skills to become a proficient surfer. Usually, beginner surfboards are large, thick, stable, and buoyant.
What surfboard size should I get as a beginner?
As a beginner, you should always look for bigger surfboards. The bigger the board is, the easier it will be for you to control the board and catch waves. A board between 7-9 feet will be perfect for a novice surfer.
Is a 7’ surfboard good for beginners?
Yes, a 7’ surfboard is good for beginners if it is in the range of surfer’s height and weight. Generally, for the beginners, it is wiser to pick surfboard that is 90 centimeters taller than them.
Is a fish surfboard good for beginners?
Normally fish surfboards are more stable, thick, easy to paddle, and buoyant compared to a normal surfboard. So a fish surfboard will be a good purchase for a beginner surfer.
Can a beginner surfer use a shortboard?
Well, there is no exact answer to this question. Usually, it’s very hard to go from a longboard to shortboard. Moreover if you don’t have enough skill you will find it very difficult to catch waves with shortboard.
What size wave is good for beginners?
In the beginning, small size waves are perfect for the novice surfer. While surfing in the small wave’s beginner surfer will learn how to balance their surfboard between stability and maneuverability.
How many surf lessons do you need?
Most people need at least three surf lessons before they can actually start surfing. Though learning to surf is a lifelong pursuit, once you learn the basics of surfing, you can start learning the advanced skills.
Are foam surfboards any good?
Soft top or foam surfboards are very good choice for beginner surfer because the chance of getting injured remain less when a wipeout occurs so until you become a pro surfer stick with the soft board.
How many liters surfboard should I ride?
If you are a beginner surfer, then you should ride a surfboard equivalent of 100% of your body weight in volume. For example if you weigh 65kg then you should be riding a surfboard around 65 liters in volume.
Do you need to wax a soft-top surfboard?
Most of the foam boards have a slippery top, so you should be waxing the top of foam boards.
How to Surf: What Beginner Surfboards You Need!
Final Thoughts
The most amazing thing about surfing is; it is open to anyone. Regardless of size and skill, countless people around the world gather on the beach to catch their dream wave through surfing. So if you are interested in surfing, then it’s time to buy the best beginner surfboard for you. The beginner surfboards that we have talked about in this post will help you achieve a great surfing experience. Just make sure you consider all your requirements and circumstance so that you end up buying the best beginner surfboard.
Last update on 2023-12-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API