You already know that surfing can be a very awesome experience but getting a perfect surfboard makes the entire thing easier and fun. A surfboard is an essential thing the surfer must possess. However, you may be confused as a beginner, when it comes to getting the perfect surfboard. How can you choose a perfect surfboard?
You need to know how many surfboards are in the market. Next, you’ll have to find out how each surfboard works. There are various surfboards for different sizes and shapes, they make your ride more fun and exciting.
Your surfing experience is totally incomplete without your surfboard. You’ll want a surfboard that allows you to explore the depth and breadth of the ocean when surfing. Find a surfboard that allows you to navigate your way on the surface of an ocean.
A surfboard that’s able to hold you down when confronted with gigantic and terrifying waves. The surfboard is the surfer’s golden tool and getting the perfect one can help you have an amazing ride.
How Can You Choose a Perfect Surfboard?
It all comes down to experience. To improve your surfing skills, you’ll want to challenge yourself with different size boards. Altogether, you’ll want something to work with and this starts with a surfboard. Here is a list of surfboards that are made for beginners and experts:
Select a Longboard or a Funboard
The length of a longboard is about eight to eleven feet. The longboard is a good board to start with as a beginner who is looking forward to having an awesome surfing experience.
You’re able to balance on the longboard and it also allows you to catch little waves. A funboard is also very good for beginners. Funboards are not as long as the longboards (it’s quite smaller unlike the longboard).
The length of the funboard is about seven to nine feet which makes you more stable when surfing. You would find the funboard really easy to navigate, compared to the longboard. However, a person who is just starting out is often advised to go for the longboard instead of the funboard.
Select a Shortboard Or Fish Board
You may decide to select a shortboard with a length of about five to seven feet. The shortboard is known for its protruding end which is used to shred very aggressive waves. You should only choose this type of surfboard when you have become familiar with the waves.
You may also go for a fish board. The fish board isn’t as big as the shortboard but the breadth is more than the shortboard. Fish board has a double protruding rear which is similar to a huge fin and makes it really easy for you to turn and navigate when surfing.
If you have only come a little bit far from being a beginner, you should first use a fish board before going for the shortboard. This will get you familiar with the navigation of a shortboard before you move up to a fish board.
Try Using a Hybrid Surfboard
The hybrid surfboard is like having two different boards in one. It combines the features of two similar boards. We have the hybrid short and fish board; this is a combination that’s actually common. It makes it easy for you to turn the shortboard without having to sacrifice speed.
As a result, you can have easy navigation and the top speed at the same time. Having a hybrid long and a fun board gives you the simplicity and easy-to-use approach for you to enjoy a stable ride on a weighty board. Combining these two features makes you feel like you’re using both boards at the same time. It gives you a different kind of experience.
Try to Paddle a SUP
What exactly is the SUP? The SUP surfboard can be used in any kind of water. The SUP is known for its stability. It’s a standing paddle board which can be effective for surfing smaller waves and bigger waves.
Therefore, you aren’t wrong if you think a SUP is a multipurpose board. The SUP can be used in lakes as well; it gives you an opportunity to learn in your comfort zone. You can practice anywhere so you don’t need to hit the ocean to start surfing. With the SUP board, you get to learn until you’re finally comfortable to explore deeper waters.
Choose a Surfboard for Conditions and Waves
You’ll need to ask yourself some important questions when choosing a surfboard. What kind of conditions and waves do you really want to surf? This would determine the kind of board you get. The last thing you want is to get a board that doesn’t match the kind of waves you intend to ride.
Small Surfboards
Surfboards of smaller sizes are super effective for attacking massive waves to average-sized waves. In addition, they are also good for efficiently navigating in shallow and high waves.
Large Surfboards
Large surfboards are very good for holding you in the water when the weather becomes unfavorable. They are also very good for handling little waves and average-sized waves. Large surfboards are ideal for beginners who are learning the fundamentals.
This would help with stability while surfing and would also help you get waves easily. People hardly have problems with surfing when using long surfboard.
Surfboard Material
There are several materials for surfboards out there. They are in different forms such as polyester, foam or epoxy. We also have several other materials like the balsa wood. However, you hardly see surfboards that come in other materials asides from the three common ones.
The lightest of all surfboard materials is the epoxy. It’s extremely comfortable for maintaining high speeds, very great for maneuvering and it’s great for a professional surfer. The most affordable surfboard material is the polyester surfboard. Polyester surfboard is very great for your budget and nice for taking control of spontaneous wave patterns.
Beginners should go with the foam surfboards as it reduces your chances of getting injured while surfing. With foam surfboards, you’ll get comfortable with exploring the surface of the ocean. The foam surfboard would help you get the best surfing experience as an amateur surfer.
Study the Arrangement of Fins on Your Surfboard
As a beginner surfer, you shouldn’t worry about the placement of fins and the tail. However, if you really have the intention of taking your surfing ability to the next level then you’ll need to understand the best way to modify your board’s shape to your own taste and satisfaction.
There are about five fins on one surfboard. It all depends on how big the waves you would be attacking are and you’ll need more fins for bigger waves. There are about three common fin arrangements or setups.
One way to select a perfect surfboard is to get a larger surfboard than what you need. This would help with stability while surfing. Additionally, it can help you get waves easily compared to a smaller surfboard. People hardly have problems with surfing when using a long surfboard. Check out the top 10 best surfboard fins.
Get Familiar with Surfboard Shapers
One important thing you need to know when choosing a perfect surfboard is the act of getting to know local or indigenous surfboard shapers. They can help with customizing your surfboard according to your taste and the exact way you want it.
Getting to know one or two local board shapers gives you an opportunity to choose the best surfboard you want. When you get to know a shaper on a personal note, they will know your size and the exact weight.
You can try to get close to any surfer who lives around you or stays close to where you surf. They might just help you make perfect decisions for your surfing experience.
Rent and Buy Any Surfboard
The best way to know if you can handle a specific surfboard is to first rent the exact version of the surfboard you want. This would not only help you get familiar with using the surfboard, but it also helps you determine if you wouldn’t have any regrets.
It’s even safer to spend a few dollars on various types of surfboards as it helps you make the best decision on getting your perfect surfboard. This would help you and it’s much better than investing lots of money on a board that isn’t going to be what you really want.
Trying out your surfboard can help you understand what it feels like when you ride your new surfboard with no fear of irregular weather conditions. You should go out to the beach and be on the lookout for certain tides and waves.
You want to focus your effort on catching smaller waves (especially if you have a longboard). Once you successfully master the art of surfing smaller waves then you can get a shortboard to move up to medium sized waves.
If you end up not getting a board that meets your expectations. Remember to get it customized to your taste by a local shaper. When purchasing a surfboard, ensure to tell the seller your real weight and body size as it would help you get the best surfboard
Surfing is different from so many other sports, if you don’t have the right skills, it will be difficult to make use of equipment used by surfing experts. You might just end up getting yourself injured.
Hopefully, this article gave insight on how to choose the right surfboard for your skillset. For affordable and high-quality surfboards, you’ll want to check out our list. Here are the top 10 best beginner surfboards.
