You’ve decided to buy your own surfing board, but there are as many options for shapes and sizes as there are salsas at your local taco joint. To that end, how does one go about selecting the optimal surfing board? Here is the definitive resource for determining surfboards. To get the most out of your new long-term connection with the ocean, you need first do some soul-searching and be completely forthright about what and how you’ll be riding.
Table of Contents
What’s Your Skill Level?
A novice surfer may require a single quality beginner surfing board to bring them to a point where they may begin to grow.
A beginner surfer needs a stable, high-volume board. This surfing board will likely measure between 7 and 8 feet in length, 22 to 23 inches in width, and 3 inches in thickness.
That big board has enough capacity to allow them to paddle into waves. A soft-top board is recommended when learning to surf since it is easier to paddle out and provides more stability and floatation.
These boards have a broader, rounded nose and a wider, thicker tail, all of which combine to make it easier to stand up when riding a wave.
After you’ve mastered the basics, you may research polyester and epoxy boards and hone in on the ideal form for your skills and the waves you frequent. Inevitably, as time goes on, you’ll want to see more improvement and efficiency in your physical condition.
What’s Your Fitness Level?
The type of board that will work best for you in the water depends significantly on your fitness level. You can paddle further and for longer as your strength and endurance improve. If you have powerful paddles, you may choose a smaller, less buoyant board that nevertheless delivers on performance. If you can conserve energy when paddling into the lineup or waves, you’ll be able to perform better for longer.
However, a large-volume board may be more appealing if you believe you lack the stamina necessary for extended surfing sessions. With this extra flotation, you’ll be able to paddle with much less effort. However, the board’s overall performance will suffer due to this. Finding a happy medium between talent, fitness, and board performance is essential.
Your Height and Weight
There is no doubt that your stature and mass will play a significant influence in deciding which boards are ideal for you to ride. For this reason, several surfing board volume calculators place a premium on these characteristics.
In most cases, though, these calculators ignore the rest of the picture.
Your height and weight will always be significant considerations when selecting the ideal board for you. The correct board may be found with the help of the above criteria.
Size matters. Hence a larger board is required for larger riders. Longer boards are needed for taller surfers, whereas shorter surfers need longer boards. When selecting a longboard, for instance, it’s a good idea to have it measured so that it’s about three feet longer than your height.
Even if both longboards were identical in every other way, a surfer who is 5 feet tall would desire the shorter board, while a surfer who is 6 feet tall would want the longer board. No two surfboards are precisely alike, so this is only a general guideline for how your height affects the length of your board.
At this point, you must look at size. To stay afloat while paddling and catching waves, a larger, heavier-set dude will benefit from big-man surfboards. A surfer who is lighter on their feet may get by with less foam.
Too little volume for big people and too much for tiny guys will make the board difficult to control.
If you’re just getting into surfing, the ideal board for beginners is the one you’ll enjoy riding. However, to avoid getting pounded with salt water and performing some surfing, you should put your pride aside and get the appropriate board. Choosing a surfing board is crucial for newcomers.
