0 Introduction – Funboards vs. Mini-Mal Surf Boards
A funboard (also known as a fish surfboard, mini-mal, midget, super fish, mini, or sub-mal) is a surfboard in the mini-mal / midget / fish category of surfboard sizes and shapes.
Formally, in North America, the traditional dimensions for a funboard are around 6'6" long, 18" wide, with approximately 2" thick in the centre.
The hand-shape is typically a pointy extra wide swallow. Soft, flexible 'quad' tail.
This is a big difference from the fish boards that are popular in Australia, which tend to be much wider and shorter (and hence, much thicker).
It’s probably worth checking out our main surfboards article above to get the basic background of surfboard shapes, sizes, and names.
Funboards are also quite different from the popular mini-mal (minimullet). So a mini-mal is a finless surfboard in the mini-mal / mushy / fish category of surfboard sizes and shapes.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Surfboard | Best Overall |  |
| Giantex 6' Surfboard Surfing Surf Beach Ocean Body Foamie Board | Budget Pick |  |
| Premium Surfboards | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Hybrid Surfboard
Pros:
- This board has a nice feel and is easy to paddle with
- It may take some time to get used to, but it’s better than a fiberglass board
- High quality and well-made
- It’s inexpensive and less time consuming when compared with building a custom board
- The carry handle is large and comfortable
- Great for beginners
Cons:
- It’s not as durable as a fiberglass board
- Doesn’t have as much buoyancy as a traditional surfboard
This hybrid surfboard made by South Bay Board Co. is a great choice for beginners.
This surfboard is not a foam board, nor is it a true SUP. It’s a combination of the two and is lightweight.
It’s a great everyday board for surfing places like South Bay area.
2. Premium Surfboards
(Black)
The South Bay premium surfboard is built from high-quality foam and is then heat laminated, which makes it possible for the board to be more consistent in shape and achieve greater performance on waves. Additionally, it is made with a fiberglass wrapping that is unique to this model among others, which increases the sensitivity of the board because of its flexibility.
It also has a fiberglass coating to protect the board from UV rays. The fins have been positioned inside the board so that they will be less affected by impact. And the fins have also been given a rubber tip to prevent them from scratching the surface of the board.
3. Premium Surfboards
(Black)
The South Bay premium surfboard is built from high-quality foam and is then heat laminated, which makes it possible for the board to be more consistent in shape and achieve greater performance on waves. Additionally, it is made with a fiberglass wrapping that is unique to this model among others, which increases the sensitivity of the board because of its flexibility.
It also has a fiberglass coating to protect the board from UV rays. The fins have been positioned inside the board so that they will be less affected by impact. And the fins have also been given a rubber tip to prevent them from scratching the surface of the board.
4. THURSO SURF Aero 7 ft Soft Top Surfboard Foam Surfboard Package Includes Three Fins Double Stainless Steel Swivel Leash EPS Core IXPE Deck HDPE Slick Bottom Built in Non Slip Deck Grip
Pros:
- Great quality for the price
- Made of quality materials that are more than strong enough to perform the job
- The colored graphics are also a nice perk
- It’s easier to customize the board yourself than it is to buy one already customized
Cons:
- The lack of color options
- Those added extras make this board a bit heavier than others, but it’s still reasonable for a foam board
All in all, the Thurso Surf Aero 7– Soft Top Surfboard is a great board to purchase for your child and if you want to purchase a board that your child can customize more than most the Aero 7– Soft Top Surfboard is a great one to go with.
For any skater or surfer, the Blackriver SUBSCRUBBER RUBBER SURFBOARD FINS is a great pick to go with, especially when you are looking for something a bit more affordable.
They are made with a lightweight plastic material that features a reinforced metal base. The rubber fins are also heavier than most others and this means that a slight bit of water will make them heavier than most.
5. Giantex 6' Surfboard Surfing Surf Beach Ocean Body Foamie Board
Pros:
- It is strong and durable
- The board floats well in water
- It is lightweight and easy to carry
- The board has a smooth surface
- You can remove the fins from the board
- Good beginner board with a nice price
- Easy to store and use
Beach and Ocean Water Sports-1.
If you are the type of person who likes an adventurous lifestyle, particularly when it comes to water sports, then the Giantex surfboard may be the right option for you.
This product is a foamie and is therefore very lightweight, which makes it easy for you to carry it around with you and also comfortable to travel with.
6. Wavestorm 8' Surfboard
Pros:
- The price is great for a board of this quality, especially if you're on a budget
- It's great for beginners who want to try it first without spending a lot of money
- The board is strong enough for beginners and fun for experienced surfers
- It has a graphic that makes it easy for you to pick it out of the crowd
- It's easy to carry around
- It's beautiful
- It's a great beginner board
- Best prone paddling surfboards under 200
Be sure to check the foot-pocket size. If you have to go between sizes, just choose the larger one. The board is only a little bit bigger than the size you order, but it makes a lot of difference when paddling
7. Liquid Shredder 70 FSE EPS/PE Soft Surf Board
Pros:
- Very lightweight and durable
- Flat bottom and high sides
- Complete package
- Good design
For just the right balance of soft but sturdy, this product is a good pick for you. But you might need some practice because of its special shape. That’s a bit forgiving since you can learn with it.
Along with the surfboard, the package also comes with soft paddle and leash, so these together with the surfboard will make a good complete set.
If you’re not sure if this is really soft, it does come with a board bag with extra padding, so you can try transporting it, and you’ll know what we’re talking about.
8. A ALPENFLOW 7' Soft Top Foam Surfboard 7ft Surfing Funboard Surf Boardwith 7' Surfboard Leash Surfing Fins and Traction Pad
Pros:
- The board is easy to maneuver
- Awesome beginner board with good quality and lightweight
- The grip pads on the bottom are nice as well as the fins and leash
- Good price
- Stronger than expected design and construction makes it so the board is unlikely to break
- Product dimensions are appropriately sized for a 7-foot board, not too wide
Cons:
- Doesn’t work very well in the surf and doesn’t handle very well if you’re trying to get in the beyond waist high waves
- The board is likely to tear if used as a paddle board for whitewater rafting
- The board’s kick tail is too short
This Funboard is constructed of a nylon shell with a foam core that adds rigidity. The design is well-thought-out: a large, closed cell foam pad is at the rear of the board for easy surfing, and a vee-shaped pad is curved downward to protect the surfer’s legs from the sharp edge of the rear fin. The board’s nose is wider, which makes it easier for beginners to catch waves. The narrower tail helps prevent nose-diving. Also, there is a heavy duty mesh carrying handle that makes the board more portable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best surfboard for intermediate?
If you are riding fins and have a few years of experience under your belt, you may have outgrown your beginner board. Look at the intermediate board as a bridge between your basic board and the higher volume, better performance boards that can help you take your surfing to the next level. This type of surfboard is narrow enough to provide you with the sensation of riding a longboard. It will help you become more comfortable in the pocket as you learn to master popping up off the bottom of the wave and maybe even take a few steps. Intermediate boards also can give you more speed and control, making it easier to maneuver around some reefs.
What are the best surfboard brands?
Why do surfers need different boards depending on the type of surf they want to catch?
Because every surf break is unique and every wave is different. The nature of a breaking wave dictates a lot of important elements, including:
- Surf size
- Wavelength
- Wave direction
- Curvature of the wave face
- Shorebreak
- Eddy currents
- Water temperature
- Coral reef
- Topography of the coast
Effectively, there is not just one surf break, but thousands of them, and that makes it hard to pinpoint the best surfboard brand.
We understand that selecting an appropriate surfboard brand might be confusing. Each board has its own benefits and characteristics, and some surfers prefer specific brands over others. We have thus compiled a list of the best surfboard brands, and we have given some general insights into what type of surfboard works best in specific conditions.
Is a Funboard good for beginners?
Funboards aren’t just good for beginners; they’re one of the best learning boards available. Their wide shape and size make it easy to start learning on without feeling overwhelmed. The curve in the rails also offers better stability and lessens the chance of tumbling or falling off the board.
The soft deck pad also makes for a safe ride.
With the above qualities in mind, the one thing that makes the funboard stand out is the smooth and mellow ride. Hence, a beginner or intermediate can practice on a funboard without tiring easily.
How do I ride a funboard?
The shortboard shape and the soft deck pad encourage you to maneuver uneven rides. Struggling to maintain a perfect tide is an important skill during your learning years, so you can ride and maneuver a board with ease.
What is the easiest surfboard to ride?
The easiest surfboard to ride is a lesson in simplicity. It is literally the first step in the sport. Novices find it simple to use because of its flat bottomed design. It has no tail, so you know it’s not going to catch an edge and send you flying into the water. It’s also super wide so no need to worry about getting tossed into the water, it’s hard to get pinballed off the waves when riding this one.
Conclusion
The best funboard surfboard performs differently depending on your paddling style. Every surfer’s needs are unique and as such, each is designed to cater to the intended rider. Selecting the best funboard surfboard for you might be confusing, but you can rest assured browsing the top seven best funboard surfboards come highly recommended by many customers. All you need to do is decide which one best suits your requirements.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Surfboard | Best Overall | |
| Giantex 6' Surfboard Surfing Surf Beach Ocean Body Foamie Board | Budget Pick | |
| Premium Surfboards | Upgrade Pick | |