How to choose your surfboard
Choosing the right board is the most important decision to enjoy surfing and progress faster. Here are the key factors to consider.
1. Your surf level
If you're a beginner, you need a board with more volume and buoyancy to paddle and stand up easily. As your level improves, you can gradually reduce the volume and size of the board to gain manoeuvrability.
2. Your height and weight
A board's volume (measured in litres) should be proportional to your weight. The more you weigh, the more litres you'll need to float comfortably and catch waves with less effort. Beginners usually need more litres than an advanced surfer of the same weight.
3. The type of waves you'll surf
Surfing small, soft waves is not the same as surfing big, powerful ones. For small waves, a board with more volume and buoyancy works best (like a fish or a funboard); for big, powerful waves, a narrower board with more control, like a shortboard or a gun, is a better fit.
4. Length, width and thickness
A longer, wider board paddles better and catches waves more easily, but is less manoeuvrable. A shorter, narrower board turns faster, but requires a higher level and better quality waves to perform well.
5. The fin setup
The number and layout of the fins also affects how a board behaves: the thruster (3 fins) is the most versatile, the single fin offers a smoother, more classic feel, and the quad (4 fins) adds speed and hold in more powerful waves.
Check out the types of surfboards to see which model suits you best. View board types