
Soft top surfboards, also known as “foamies”, are a great choice for beginners of all skill levels. The other upside to “foamies” being less expensive is that you may be able to buy multiple soft tops for the price of a single hard top, meaning you can outfit the whole family for your next family vacation without breaking the bank! If you’re new to surfing, soft tops offer a variety of advantages over hard tops and are a good choice until your skills have progressed. One of the huge benefits to buying a soft top surfboard is that they tend to be less expensive than their hard top counterparts. THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING SURFBOARDS COST You also don’t need to wax a soft top! Simpler is better, right?įor more of our top surfing gear recommendations, check out the Best Surfboards.Ĭomparison Table - Best Soft Top Surfboard For the best experience turn your device horizontally Name Lastly, soft tops tend to be a bit thicker than hard tops, lending themselves to greater buoyancy and making your task of learning the sport that much easier. Foamies are also extremely durable, meaning you can beat up these boards as you learn the basics without fear of totally trashing an expensive hard top. They’re much safer than traditional hard tops: if you bail or wipe out, a blow to the head from your board will be less dangerous. Fortunately, we’ve carefully selected the best soft top surfboards to narrow down your search.Īlso known as a “foamie”, soft tops offer a host of advantages, especially for beginners. The quality and construction of these boards have increased tremendously over the past several years and with a wide variety of brands and board types, it can be difficult to pick the right one. Watch some videos online of people surfing these board types to get a better idea of the surf style and possibilities for each one.If you’re relatively new to surfing and looking to master your skills in a safe way, a soft top surfboard is going to be your best bet. If you want something higher spec, you could consider a Fish or an Egg. A shortboard for a surfer between beginner and intermediate levels should be 6” to 12” longer than they are tall and should also have plenty of volume. These boards travel well and have good resale value.Ī minimal is a great intermediate surfboard, but an oversized shortboard is another good option. This size board should work in anything from ankle high wind swell (mushy, choppy, weak) to head high and clean, and everywhere in between. Torque and NSPs have good options that are durable and perform well in a variety of conditions. Our recommendation would be a Minimal or Funboard from 6’6” – 8′, depending on your height and weight. If you aren’t sure that you’re ready for a performance shortboard, you almost definitely are not. If your board is too small for your ability you will catch far less waves and seriously impede your progress. The lack of volume in a Shortboard will prevent you from paddling fast enough to get into the wave. Many intermediate surfers buy a beautiful board that’s way too small for them. The first and most important advice on choosing the right size board is don’t go too small. So it’s good to think of this investment as an important transition, but something that you will eventually outgrow. But the board between an 8’ foamie and a sexy shortboard is crucial to your development as a surfer. This is especially true if your goal is to surf and progress a lot. If you’ve already visited Surfivor Surf Camp, please send us an email! We will do our best to give you advice based on your surf goals and specific circumstances.Īt this stage in your surf progression, it is likely that you will outgrow you new board. The owner or manager of your local surf shop will also be able to help. Choose someone who has seen you surfing and has an idea of your surf level. If you have the opportunity, it’s a good idea to speak to your surf instructor or a more experienced surfer friend before buying a board. In this article we outline all the most common Surfboard Types and our Recommendations for The Best Surfboards for Intermediate Surfers. It’s time to start thinking about buying your first, or your next level, surfboard. As you are consistently popping up, the whitewater is probably getting a bit boring. As an intermediate surfer, you are confident with the fundamentals of paddling, popping up to your feet, and remaining stable on your board. But are you an intermediate surfer?Īn intermediate surfer can successfully paddle out alone at a familiar location and ride waves down the face in either direction, frontside or backside. OR, you’re tired of your Softboard and want to know what’s next. Perhaps you’ve been on a few surf holidays and are ready to invest in a board.
