Once the width is settled, take a look at some lengths. How tall are you? Does an 8-foot surfboard look outrageously long in comparison to you? If not, then an 8-foot longboard is a good place to start.
A great example of this would be The Solution surfboard. Known far and wide for its outstanding versatility, the Solution offers riders the most diversity out of any of the Chemistry models. It will definitely cover most of your needs as a beginner surfer, but it also has a lot of space for growth.
It features a unique concave that lends itself to paddling and offers a great deal of control because your feet are very close to the water.
The Padillac can be the perfect surfboard for those that are looking for a wider outline and more volume. This board is excellent for paddling and has a lot of inherent drive to it. But, get this: because it has a curved rocker, it retains a ton of maneuverability as well.
Beginners will probably love this board because it will give them that extra push of confidence. Did we mention that you can mount up to five fins? Crazy right?
The volume is the area that the board occupies. This is measured in liters—as in liters contained or how many liters fit into the volume of the board. As with the width, you will want a board with a substantial amount of volume if you are looking for a more stable ride.
Having a lot of volume can have its shortcomings in some areas, but you’re presumably getting your feet wet and not going for the best performance board on the market.
It’s very easy to calculate the ideal board volume based on your body type, dimensions, and weight, but there is no better way to see if a board is right for you than a real-life scenario.
So, yes, by all means, use the volume calculator to get an estimate of what would suit you, but the final verdict has to be made in the real world.
Standing at 8’, the Guppy's features a rounded nose which gives it a lot of buoyancy, speed, and passability. It’s super comfortable because of its 80-liter volume construction, so you won’t be sinking anytime soon, and its wide squash tail gives the rider enough control and stability so that they feel in command at all times.
Last but certainly not least is the build of the board. Which materials were used, and how was it put together?
Before going into the build, make sure that you already have a rough idea of what you’re after in terms of dimensions and volume.
If you’re buying a board first-hand and say that you’re a beginner, they will undoubtedly throw a foam board at you, but this is not a hard rule, and you don’t want to go with the first thing you see.
That being said, foam boards are great. They are very lightweight, feature soft tops, and are quite durable. The best part is that they are quite affordable, as far as surfboards go.
But if foam is not cutting it for you, you can always take a look at fiberglass or wood-made ones. After all, they were the original board build way back when.
Fiberglass boards are surfboards that feature a polyurethane core that is covered in fiberglass. While they are great for a number of things, they aren’t as durable as the foam ones. And if you are starting out, it’s safe to say that you are hitting more than a few forks in the road before you learn how to steer with the best of them.
However, if you’re serious about your craft, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our OMBE Method of learning. You just might be surprised at what you can achieve.
EPS or Epoxy surfboards are the new kid on the block. They are the latest in technology and design. They feature an expanded polystyrene foam core that has an epoxy resin coating.
For the most part, they are lighter than the foam boards and a lot more durable than the fiberglass ones. But there are a few things that you should consider before going for one.
Spyder Surfboard reviewsIf you don’t consider yourself to be an absolute beginner, and if you have some experience with foam boards, then maybe it’s time to take a look at some EPS longboards.
The build on these is absolutely spot-on in most cases. You are getting a modern design that has a lot of thickness, volume, and length without sacrificing much in the weight department.
Feel free to look into vintage shapes, such as the fish surfboard design, that are usually both thicker and wider than your run-of-the-mill board.
Having said that, you will want to pay close attention to the setup on fish boards because having a twin, thruster, or quad fin setup makes all the difference in the world. Usually, the shorter the board, the more the fins come into play.
They are great performers on big wave surfs because you are able to correct any move in the blink of an eye and not drag on the consequences of a wrong foot placement or turn.
They are also great if you are looking to make a transition into shortboards but don’t want to cut directly from long to short.
Although these are the main parameters that should be on your list, there are also other things to consider, and for the most part, they are tied in with your style of surfing and the conditions that you are surfing in.
Although these are the main parameters that should be on your list, there are also other things to consider, and for the most part, they are tied in with your style of surfing and the conditions that you are surfing in.
Surfing is certainly an addictive sport and if you’ve caught the surfing bug, then you’ll be starting to look into buying your very first surfboard!