Longboard Surf 10

Select a Surfboard

There are many kinds of surfboards for different levels of experience and varying budgets. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced surfer, you’ll want to have the right surfboard for your surfing technique.
Surfboard 101

The front of the surfboard is called the nose, the back is known as the tail, and the sides are called rails. The top of the surfboard, where the rider stands, is called the deck.

Everyone but the most expert of surfers should use a leash while surfing. Leashes prevent you from losing your surfboard in a wipeout, so you can retrieve it more quickly and catch more waves. Most importantly, however, leashes help you keep control of your board and keep it from hitting other surfers. A board leash with a padded ankle strap will provide comfort and a swivel leash will minimize tangles.
Get the right size surfboard

Surfboards are sold in feet and inches. Whichever surfboard you buy, it should be at least 6" over your own height.

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Longboards: A Longboard (9’ or over) glides across the water, and allows for better balance.
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Shortboards: Shortboards (under 7’) are more maneuverable, but paddle slower. You need to take off on the steepest part of a wave and get to your feet quickly.
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Wide surfboards: Wider surfboards are more stable.
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Thick surfboards: Thicker surfboards are more buoyant, making it easier to paddle and catch waves.
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Ultra-thin or light shortboards: Ultra-thin, light shortboards are tougher for beginners.

Which type of surfboard is right for you?

Soft boards, longboards, mini mals, and pop-outs are all good boards for beginners. The best surfboard for learning on is broad, light, and thick. Most surfboards are custom built, giving you lots of options for finding the right board.

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Soft surfboards: If you are a beginner, you may want to start with a soft surfboard. Soft surfboards, or foamies, are large and buoyant. They are soft enough that they lessen the blow of an impact. The fins on foamies are also usually softer than on other kinds of surfboards. If you decide on a soft surfboard, you may want to move on to a more versatile surfboard fairly quickly. For infrequent or beginning surfer, a soft surfboard is a good choice.
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Pop-out surfboards: Surfers looking for a good value surfboard might look into the low-priced pop-out surfboards. These surfboards have a foam core that is covered in fiberglass. Pop-out surfboards are heavier than soft surfboards. They are stable, but aren’t as responsive in the water. This makes them good for beginners. They have an excellent resale value as well.
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Shortboards: The shortboard or thruster is a light, easily-maneuverable board designed for quick turns. Shortboards measure from 5'8" to 6'10" in length. The more fins on a shortboard, the better chance you have of getting cut; if you can find a single- or twin-fin surfboard that suits you, consider it a good option.
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The Longboard or Malibu surfboard: Longboards generally start at about 9’. The nose is more rounded than that of a shortboard, and the overall shape is different, as well. They may be thicker and tend to have just one fin. The extra length and thickness give them some added stability. Try to avoid very old, heavy boards, however. They can be awkward to use and may not surf as well.
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The fish: The fish is shorter, wider and rounder than a typical shortboard. This type of board ranges between 4'8" and 6' in length.
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The gun: Bigger waves demand a bigger board. That’s where the gun comes in. These surfboards range from 7'2" to over 12'.

Other surfboard considerations

Beginners don’t need to spend too much on their first board. It’s best to start out on an inexpensive board, as long as it hasn’t been totally thrashed or broken apart and repaired. All the fins should be in place, and the fiberglass shouldn’t have any holes. Check to make sure there are no major cracks where the fins join the board.

Most secondhand boards will have some damage or dents. You can fix dings on your own with a repair kit costing about $20or you can take it in for professional repair.