Surfing originated in the state of Hawaii. A cave drawing of someone riding a wave inspired a group of people to take this drawing to action.
The sport soon went viral and by the 20th century, it had become popular across the world for people of all ages!
Surfing, although seemingly difficult, gets easier with time. If you are just starting out it can be tough to figure out the right moves and balance to take you across the water.
Once you are more advanced, you can feel the flow of the wave, becoming one with the board while exercising.
Overall, the bright sunshine, friends, water, and fun bring a world of happiness for all involved!
What is surfing?
Surfing is defined as the act of riding a wave while standing or laying on a surfboard for joy or competition.
The key part of surfing, no matter the place or person, is the surfboard.
So how many surfboards does a beginner need?
All the basics will be covered in this article to ensure you find the best surfboard for you!
How many surfboards are needed for beginners?
When just starting out the thought of riding with the tide can be daunting, however, this feeling will diminish when you are comfortable in the water and understand the basics.
Beginner surfers should start with one board. A soft foam board is by far the best surfboard for a beginner.
As the name suggests, they are quite difficult to destruct and offer a stable ride for surfers just learning how to ride waves.
You may be excited to get into the sport and collect all the brands with all the different designs.
However, it is important to become comfortable with the basics and get a feel for what you like before committing to the sport and collecting more!
What Size Board Should I Get?
It really depends on the height, when deciding what to buy.
How do you figure this out? For the first one, it should be around 12’’-24’’ taller than yourself. For example, if you are 5’5 you would most likely get a board 6’8.
It is decided by preference and what height you feel comfortable with.
Once you become laid back and easily acquainted with the mechanics and what to do there is always space to get a new board with even more height!
How many boards do pros need?
When you are highly experienced and advanced in the sport it is a different story. Many pros have around 4-5 boards.
You may be asking, why so many?
These surfers ride a variety of waves. When they are serious about the sport, some travel to different places to find different waves.
Commonly larger but also smaller, the different sizes and types of boards allow for surfing different waves to be easier.
Having a variety of boards allows for versatile performance in any type of wave.
Surfboard Materials
There are a variety of surfboard materials available and each has its own function for different types of waves and surf environments.
For a beginner, polyurethane or wood would probably be the best materials for your first surfboard.
Polyurethane
A modern surfboard is made of polyurethane and polystyrene. Layers of cloth, fiberglass, and an epoxy resin cover the foam core.
These materials allow for a lightweight, strong, and resilient board that is easy to maneuver.
Wood
However, surfboards were originally made of wood.
Typical woods included redwood or cedar, which weighed over 132 lbs (60kg) and made them hard to use. These boards would weigh a person down, making it difficult to travel with and even to hold.
Surfboards have come a long way since then, making them easier to use and more versatile. Nevertheless, this new list of materials comes with a high price tag as well.
Why would you need more than one board?
More advanced surfers carry more than one board. But why is this?
Some beaches have consistent waves, meaning that they could have 6-foot waves every day with rare variety. Some of these places include:
- Sydney, Australia
- Hossegor, France
- Kuta Beach, Bali
- Rincon, Puerto Rico
- Santa Cruz, California
As you can see these places are across the world and are available to anyone with an eager attitude for surfing.
However, there are also places that have inconsistent waves, meaning one day waves could be 6 feet, and two hours later they could be 3 feet. This makes it hard to know when to surf.
If you have a board twice the size of you in 2-foot waves, it will be difficult to ride, but having a variety of boards allows for the possibility of riding no matter the size swells.
Although this is helpful, it is not necessary for surfing, no matter what level you are at.
Which board to get first, then what?
When it is your first time or you’re a beginner, you should get a soft foam board. This is by far the best way to start off.
As the name suggests, they are quite difficult to destruct and offer a stable ride to get as far as you desire.
The other benefit of soft foam boards is flexibility. When starting out it can be hard to find your balance.
This board helps to ensure you are standing or laying down in a comfortable and tolerable way so you can ride that wave!
This board is also affordable. You can find them at Costco or any other wholesale store for around 100 dollars.
Although this is definitely a beginner board, it is helpful to practice with when excelling in the art of surfing.
They are typically longer and more stable, and can catch even the smallest wave, overall helping with balance and stability practice!
The Funboard Surfboard
This board is used when a beginner is thinking more seriously about becoming advanced.
It is more maneuverable and lightweight for a smoother ride. This board is around 6 to 8 feet long and includes a rounder, wider outline than others.
The Funboard is similar to the beginner foam board but is a fiberglass version. It is easily found in surf shops and costs $380-500, a higher price than the beginner board.
If you are wondering if you are ready for this board here are some things to consider:
- You are comfortable paddling out in the water
- You ride waves more than you wipe out (fall down)
- You can navigate easily while standing up
- You are in control of your board 90% of the time
More Beginner Surfboard Options
Knowing when you are ready is different for everyone and these are just a few factors to consider when deciding to take the next step!
A few other boards that are great for a beginner include:
| Board | Length | Cost | Where to Buy |
| The Bullet | 5’8-6’2” | 600$-1000$ | degree33surfboards |
| The Cloud | 5’5-5’9” | 700$-1000$ | https://www.degree33surfboards.com/collections/specialty-alternative-craft |
| The Codfather | 5’4-6’2” | 400$-1000$ | https://www.degree33surfboards.com/collections/fish-modern-retro/products/6-2-codfather-fiberglass |
Although expensive, these boards are worth it when getting into surfing. They help provide stability, ease, and balance for anyone looking to learn and excel in their craft!
Higher-level boards
The Hyfi Monsta Box is among one of the most popular brands of surfboards. This high-level surfboard is for all ages.
The owner and founder, Jason Stevenson, is based in Australia.
His boards were made to inspire all ages and all levels to get out in the water and surf. His iconic tractor logo is well known and loved.
It is a lightweight, strong, and faster board that allows for cutting-edge precision when riding the waves.
It is also small and versatile for a wide variety of wave heights. The board costs start at around $790.
More high-level boards
Although there are hundreds of brands and types out there, here are a couple more types of surfboards that are designed for pros looking to buy more including:
| Board | heigh | Cost | Where to Buy |
| Firewire-Greedy Beaver | 5’6 plus | Starts at $770.00 | https://www.firewiresurfboards.com/products/greedy-beaver?variant=34331812429869 |
| Rusty Surfboards-Utility | 5’9 plus | Starting at $1,000.00 | https://rustysurfboards.me/products/utility |
| Channel Islands-Sampler | 5’6 plus | Starting at $690.00 | https://www.cisurfboards.com/board/sampler/ |
| Lost Surfboard-Puddle Jumper | 5’9 plus | starting at $889.00 | https://lostsurfboards.net/surfboards/puddle-jumper/ |
What is the perfect board for you? These different boards are designed to help contour our bodies to surf the waves in the best and easiest way possible.
Although expensive, it is worth the price in helping you achieve your desire of surfing the waves in the big blue ocean.
Of course, it all depends on preference but there are hundreds of brands and sizes.
Which one will be perfect for you?
Tips
Some tips that will help you find the best board and surf the best you can are as follows :
- Go for boards that are wider and thicker. This ensures a more stable and lighter flow through the waves.
- Don’t just go for a board because of its design or shine factor. Make sure it fits your needs of height, width, and thickness to make sure you are getting the most out of it.
- If you are buying a second-hand board, make sure it is up to your standards including being clean, and a lack of scratches and cracks. This means that it will be less likely to sink in water.
- Avoid short boards. These make it harder to paddle out and overall, more difficult for you to stand and ride.
These are just a few tips that I hope will help when going through the process of buying a new surfboard.
Whether you are a beginner or a pro surfer, it is important to find the best one for you to best ride that ocean wave.
Good luck in finding a new board and be safe but have fun!