There are so many different surfboards on the market today, that it’s difficult to know what to buy.
The best surfboards for beginners should be cheap surfboards that are soft enough to learn on, but stiff enough to actually catch waves when you’re first starting out.
The best surfboards for kids are longboards that aren’t too heavy, but still offer plenty of size and volume for the growing enthusiast.
The best shortboards for beginners are soft to help land tricks, but stiff enough to withstand punishment on the road to becoming a pro surfer.
And the best longboards for beginners should be a little longer and more heavy duty to prevent snapping when you’re learning to surf.
We’ve covered all of these requirements and more in our favourite surfboards for every surfer.
Here are the top 15 best surfboards for every surfer in 2022.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Giantex 6' Surfboard Surfing Surf Beach Ocean Body Foamie Board | Best Overall |  |
| California Board Company Surfboard | Budget Pick |  |
| Wavestorm 9' Classic Pinline Surfboard | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Giantex 6' Surfboard Surfing Surf Beach Ocean Body Foamie Board
(Green)
The Giantex wave board is constructed from EVA foam and polyester, making it both durable and lightweight. It's recommended for ages 13 and up, but a ten year old could get good use out of this board. The Giantex wave board comes in a variety of colors, so there's something for everyone.
While the Giantex is resistant to several types of water and weather, it's not completely waterproof. The foam material can absorb the moisture, which causes the board to crack.
2. Wave Bandit WB66 Performer Tri
The Wave Bandit WB66 Performer Tri is an excellent choice for beginners. Depending on your weight and height, this board can be a fun and safe riding tool even for advanced surfers.
The ride is a bit stiff, and the wide nose further emphasizes the performance aspects of this board.
You can adjust the fins and the tail to your preferences for a customized experience no matter your level of expertise. The Wave Bandit comes in 2 colors – lime green or orange.
3. Catch Surf Beater Finless
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great for advanced surfers
- Ideal for intermediate surfers
- Multiple color choices
- Great for beginners
- Durable
The Catch Surf Beater Finless Surfboard is a great option for those that are looking for an all-around board for flat-water paddling. It is constructed with a durable EPS Foam core covered in polyurethane outer layer. The bottom is made from 8 ply laminated fiberglass, which is incredibly stable and eliminates flexing. The fins also do not have a leash, which allows for greater maneuverability.
The board overall is great for paddlers that are looking to get more of a challenge out of their water activities. The numerous color and design options allow you to get a unique board that can be used to enhance your surfing skills. It also allows you to find a board that is suited to your personal style and interests.
4. Wavestorm 8' Classic Pinline Surfboard
Pros:
- Provides beginner surfers with confidence
- Ideal for the annual Bali International Surf Festival
- Lightweight, maneuverable, and balanced
- It’s made by local Indonesian craftsmen
- Graphite laminated construction with fiberglass layers
- It’s one of the lightest surfboards in the industry
Cons:
- It may not be ideal for heavier surfers
- It may not be suitable for higher waves
This option comes with a very simple design. It comes in three color variations: blue, green, and yellow.
The Wavestorm 8’0” Pinline Surfboard is able to provide beginner surfers with the confidence needed to go on waves by themselves. It’s best for learners and intermediate surfers.
This makes it ideal for use in the annual annual Bali International Surf Festival. It’s also easy to handle and could quickly get you out of the beach break.
5. South Bay Board Co. Hybrid Surfboard-Wax-Free Textured Soft-Top Foam Deck & 6oz Fiberglass Bottom Deck-Available in Shortboard. Funboard
Pros:
- Attractively priced
- High-quality finish
- The bright colors are suitable for both men and women
- An expert board shaper designed it
One of the key factors to consider when looking for the best surfboards is whether a beginner or an expert can use it. The South Bay Board Co has a hybrid of soft top foam deck and a heavy-duty fiberglass bottom deck.
This one of the best surfboards for beginners is well-suited particularly for women as the bright colors will appeal to them. The bodyboard is also ideal for surfers who are smaller in stature because it’s not as heavy as other boards. This is because the manufacturer used a softer material.
The South Bay Board also has a deal for a complete package deal. It comes with FCSII boxes, fins, key and a leash.
6. 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 for kids or beginners
- Package includes three fins, a leash and a pump
- Great foam surfboard
- It is available in a 7-foot different widths and weight options
- It is easy to use
- Durable and comfortable
- Great price
7. California Board Company Surfboard
Pros:
- Comes at a relatively good price
- It’s a great board for beginners or children
- Sturdy, durable
- Has a good weight to it
- Great for the price
8. North Gear 6ft Surfing Thruster Surfboard Ocean Beach Foamie
Pros:
- Comfortable foam core board
- Packaged in a convenient box
- 6-inch Height
- Great for beginners – Awesome surfboard for beginners!
- Great package includes tool and repair kit
- Very easy to control with dive and paddle techniques
- Made of EPS foam for shock-absorbing durability
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Too wide for narrow door frame
- Made of EPP
- Flimsy
- Overpriced
- Not very durable
9. Softech Flash Eric Geiselman FCS II Surfboard
The Softech Flash Surfboard is a fantastic choice for beginner and intermediate surfers thanks to its flexible foam core and a tri-fin design that makes it easy for you to maneuver it.
The FCS II flex fin system has been designed to offer optimal performance, giving you the advantage while riding your favorite wave.
The Softech Flash Surfboard has a wide list of uses, being great if you’re a beginner and want to surf with friends or if you’re an intermediate surfer who wants to hit the beach alone.
10. Liquid Shredder FSE EPS/PE Soft Surf Board
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Soft boards are perfect for beginners
- Can hold a lot of weight
- Great price for the size of the board
- Used by experts and beginners alike
If you’re a beginner looking to get into the sport, soft surfboards are the way to go! They’re easy to paddle and the flexible nature of the board will allow you to get up and riding quickly.
Being flexible soft boards are extremely durable. It doesn’t matter how many times you drop on the floor or hit against a sharp rock the board will take all the damage.
Even if you drop it many times it will float and provide some cushion against the impact. Even if it’s not punctured and floats, you can be sure that it won’t take much to fix any potential scratches.
11. Wavestorm 9' Classic Pinline Surfboard
The shape of this board is designed to help you make the most of larger, longer waves. The center has been dropped and curve up towards the center fin, which will allow you to get more speed right off the top. The vee in the tail of the board will help create speed and keep the board tracking through turns. Additionally, the full rails will enable you to ride fast wave after wave.
One of the best features of this board is that it comes in 3 sizes – 6‒, 7–, and 8–. For the majority of surfers, this board will be a good match in terms of size, shape, and power.
12. BIC Sport Paint Magnum Softboard Surfboard
BIC Sport Paint Magnum Softboard by Bic may not have the “flashy” name as other brands, but it still is a reputable product. This is a beginner to intermediate board, which means it is the perfect board for those who are just learning how to surf.
The shape of the board is the first thing you should look at when deciding if a board is beginner to intermediate or advanced. This board features a displacement hull, which is extremely forgiving. This means that even if you are new to the sport, you will not have to worry about ending up in the ocean because a turn went wrong. You will also not have to worry about swallowing too much water while learning how to paddle out into the surf.
No matter what your stance on gender equality is, we can all agree that in the case of surfing, women ride waves as well as – if not better than – men do. Shorter and lighter than a standard board, the MIU Design Women’s Mini Unicorn Soft Surfboard is specifically designed to optimize board performance for smaller riders, and particularly women.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best surfboards?
This buying guide gives you the information you need to find the best surfboard or stand up paddle board for your use. You don’t need to puzzle over choices, as this guide gives you a good idea what brands to buy and the reasons behind the selections.
It’s important that you match the style of board to your style of surfing and water conditions. Some, such as a longboard, are great for experienced surfers in small waves. Others, such as a Balsa longboard, are a more premium choice and can handle larger waves of experienced surfers.
The best surfboards have the right balance between stiffness, weight, and maneuverability. It’s important to investigate the surf board’s thickness, its volume, thickness, and fin set up before making your dive.
What is the best surfboard for intermediate?
The best surf board for intermediate surfers is a board that will help them get on waves and stay on them. The best surf boards for intermediate surfers are NOT the most high performance boards. While there are plenty of high end performance boards with an all around performance, the best surfboards for intermediate surfers are boards that will help them learn how to surf and ride when the water is less than ideal. These boards will have a good combination of length, volume, and buoyancy to help surfers get more time in the pocket and handle smaller waves and larger boards.
So what surf board should I get?
What is the most expensive surfboard?
The most expensive surfboard is typically the board that is the most sought-out and used by professional surfers. Therefore, the most famous and prestigious surfboard brands can often be very sought-after and expensive. What is the most expensive surfboard? We hope to find out the answer by looking at the brands with the most expensive surfboards!
Wet-Suits. Surfing is an outdoor activity and comes with exposure to cold water. Therefore, a neoprene wet-suit is an important piece of surfing equipment for any surfer. There are two main types of wet-suits, which are 1-piece and 2-piece.
1-piece wet-suits are perfect for surfers who want to stay as close as possible to their surfing form. They are durable and allow for ease of movement. The disadvantages are that they may cause trapped water pockets, and there are many seams which may cause irritation.
How much bigger should your surfboard be than you?
Many surfers are looking for a surfboard that is bigger than the surfer themselves. The experience of surfing a larger board can be quite the thrill but it is often a little more difficult to handle. Regardless of surfboard size, it is crucial that you as a surfer have the right paddle size for you. The goal of the paddle is to help you maneuver the board and transfer your body weight from side to side to maintain balance through turns. The paddle will also help with turning on the board and getting the most out of your turns. If you are under or over the board, the paddle length will not be effective. Getting the right paddle for you will make surfing much more enjoyable.
Conclusion
There are some aspects of surfing that may not be that important. But the Board is one of the most crucial factors in your surfing adventure. The quality and type of board you choose will go a long way in determining how well you’ll do, and how enjoyable your surfing experience will be.
Choosing a board is not just a matter of affordability or beauty. A lot of other factors come into play as well. This includes the fact that you need to know what kind of a surfer you are.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Giantex 6' Surfboard Surfing Surf Beach Ocean Body Foamie Board | Best Overall | |
| California Board Company Surfboard | Budget Pick | |
| Wavestorm 9' Classic Pinline Surfboard | Upgrade Pick | |