Sometimes, when facing new challenges in life, we have the classic ‘let’s go on an adventure’ kind of attitude. But beware! This kind of attitude can be very dangerous when you lack the basic knowledge to face new challenges in life, finding these new activities unsatisfying and hard to learn without the appropriate level. And… surprise! In surfing, this can easily happen!
It’s impossible to face the big gnarly waves without understanding the basics of surfing: The risk is to have a very unsatisfying experience that can, in some cases, be dangerous for you and people around you. For this reason, at Surfintrip we want to give you some precious tips on which board is the best to learn how to surf. Trust us! And remember that with patience and practice, you will be riding a wave in no time!
Which board is the best to learn how to surf: where to start
We want to provide you with a few important tips on which board is the best to learn how to surf when practising this wonderful sport. Pay attention! Because these tips can really make a big difference when learning how to surf!
First and foremost, we have to know that the surfboards used to learn how to surf have three main elements that can’t be missed: they have a lot of volume, they are thick, and they are very long. These features, as you can understand, are going to give the board a lot of flotation and stability, so you can catch as many waves as possible and stand up quicker. The volume of the board is usually based on the surfer’s weight. But, especially in the beginning, the more volume your board has, the better it is. Beginner boards normally range between 7 ft and 8 ft in length, and 20-25 inches in thickness.
One of the most important elements when choosing a beginner board is flotation. The latter is calculated in litres and depends on the boards’ volume, length and thickness as mentioned earlier. Generally, you don’t want to go beneath the 70 litres mark. Moreover, when learning how to surf, you want to use a soft foam board (also known as softboards or foamboards). These boards, made of soft polyurethane, are perfect for total beginners since they are very safe and resistant. And don’t forget about the shape of the nose, which needs to be rounded to help you be more stable while catching waves.
Which board is the best to learn how to surf: suggestions
After reading these general tips now is the time to choose the best board to start or progress in the world of surfing. Here we are going to talk about three types of surfboards, all of them perfect for a beginner to intermediate level of surfing.
Surfboards for beginners: foamboard
This is the perfect board for a complete beginner that wants to know which board is the best to learn how to surf. Foamboards (also known as ‘softboards’) are boards that are going to help you with gaining more balance during paddling and take off. This is because of the volume and big dimension of the board. The suggested size of these boards vary from 7.6 ft to 9 ft. Plus, these boards are made of a very resistant material that is going to prevent bumps and scratches.
Surfboards for advanced beginners: mini malibu
This kind of surfboard is known for its particular dimensions, and you will probably find it on almost every beach in Europe. It’s a perfect board for mellow and soft waves not bigger than one and a half metres, and they are suitable for beginners with a bit of experience, considering the dimensions and generous volume. Usually the dimensions of these boards vary between 7 and 8 ft, and they are made of polyurethane covered in glass resin. This kind of material is known to be hard, so it’s very different to the aforementioned soft board. See, it is not that hard to know which board is the best to learn how to surf!
Surfboards for intermediates: funboard
These boards, just like mini malibus, are considered hard boards and are very good to improve from the moment that you are dominating the previously mentioned boards on green waves. Funboards range between 6.5 and 8 ft, and they usually have a rounded and wide shape. This kind of board is a midpoint between a foamboard and a short board. They are essentially perfect when transitioning from a softboard, but you still don’t have the level to master a more professional one.
Did you find these tips interesting? Did we clear up your ideas on which board is the best to learn how to surf? If you have any doubts, you can always contact Surfintrip’s professional team, so we can clarify any concerns you might have, and remember to also sign up to our newsletter, so you can always be on top of the latest trends of this magical sport called surfing.
