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What type of board should a beginner surfer get?

Author

James Craig

Published Jan 09, 2026

Foam surfboards are a great choice for beginners! For beginner surfers, an 8 to 9-foot foam longboard surfboard is one of the best options as an entry-level surfboard for a number of reasons. Foam surfboards are stable, user-friendly, and easy to paddle which makes catching waves and standing up a lot easier.

Is a 7ft surfboard good for beginners?

For kids under 12, something around the 7ft mark is ideal. If they're on the taller side, something around 6'6” or 6'2” in a fish surfboard. These are perfect for aiding progression in the early stages of learning. Choosing the right surfboard that has enough buoyancy or “float” helps in aiding paddling.

What size board should you learn to surf on?

If you are a beginner you should always look for a board which is wide, thick and at least three feet (90 centimeters) taller than you. Beginner surfers should always get a surfboard with extra flotation and stability to paddle for the wave (2.0lbs/L (0.9kg/L) weight to volume ratio).

Is a 6 foot surfboard good for beginners?

Despite being bigger and heavier than traditional shortboards, surfing beginners will paddle faster and rapidly pop up on these stable boards. Quality foam surfboards can last forever. They range from 6' to 9' sizes. An average adult should get into surfing with an 8' or 9', while a child can learn with a 6'.

How long should my first surfboard be?

Your First Surfboard Should Be Big and Thick

Get a board that will give flotation and allows for easy paddling. A good average size board for a beginning surfer would be around 7 feet long and 19-21 inches wide and at least 2-3 inches thick.

45 related questions found

How do I start surfing?

To start, surf only at beginner spots. (See Where to Surf, below.) Before paddling out, spend at least 30 minutes watching the surf. You'll want to watch where other surfers paddle out, where the waves are breaking, and the ability level of the people in the water.

Are catch surf boards good for beginners?

Fun board for everyone including beginner and intermediate/advanced surfers. Good for kids (smaller models) and very easy to surf and paddle. High quality and durable, makes small days super fun and increases your wave count. Will muscle through chop and bumps and catch basically anything.

Is a mini mal good for beginners?

The Mini Mal surfboard or “Mid-length” is a great universal board that is well suited to beginners. It is a smaller version of a Longboard in a more forgiving and comfortable size range. Typically Mini Mals will range in size from 7 to 8ft in length.

What is a Malibu board?

A Malibu is slightly shorter and narrower than its larger, longboard counterparts. Instead of 9' in length, a malibu will be somewhere from 7' to 8'6”. The width will be closer to 20″ across instead of 22-25″ wide longboards.

Can I learn to surf on a mini mal?

With a thick rounded nose and tail, mini-mals have great float and volume ideal for beginner surfers. Mini-mals have a lower rocker, similar to longboards, which makes for easy and quick paddling as well as stability and balance, without risking catching an edge or digging the nose too easily.

How long does it take to learn to surf?

Learning to surf requires between two hours and one month of practice. If you're struggling for more than two months to ride a wave, then there's something wrong with you. The first thing you'll need to master is lying and balancing on a surfboard - that could take you between half-an-hour and two or three hours.

Should I learn to surf on a foam board?

The short answer is yes, you should be surfing on a foam board. Whether you're getting ready to buy your first surfboard or you've lost count of how many boards you've owned, a soft top surfboard offers insane fun for surfers of every skill level.

How much does a beginner surfboard cost?

A beginner's surfboard may cost you between $380 and $1,030 or more. There's no need to purchase a professional or brand name surfboard at the beginning of your journey. You will only wear it out as you gain experience. You may even find that surfing isn't for you, so don't waste your money in the beginning.

How do beginners get waves?

Push the surfboard in the direction of the beach while lying flat on top of it. Make sure you are in the “sweet spot” on your surfboard – being too far forward on the board will also cause you to pearl. After finding your balance, it is time to paddle. Paddling helps to keep up with the speed of the wave gradually.

What is a beginner surfer called?

Grom – a young and inexperienced surfer; also known as a grommet. Grubbing – falling off the surfboard while surfing. Gun – a big wave surfboard.

Is surfing hard to learn?

The truth is, learning to surf is tough and it takes time, a long time. How hard can it be? From mastering the popup, reading waves to navigating the lineup and brutal paddle outs, surfing can at times be a hard sport to become good at.

Why do Beginners use foam boards?

There are several reasons we recommend learning how to surf on foam boards. First and foremost, when the board hits a student or wipes out it doesn't hurt them. Not to mention, the high volume of these boards makes them easier to pop up on. The high volume also makes them easier to paddle through waves.

Why are foam boards good for beginners?

Yes, foam surfboards are fantastic for beginners because they are safer than standard boards and float very well making them easier to catch waves on. However, there are a few more points to consider, as we'll look at below.

How much do foam surf boards cost?

Typically, a good beginner surfboard will be $400 or more, whereas a beginner foam board costs somewhere in the region of $200-250.

Can you start surfing at any age?

Just like there is no age limit for surfing, there is no age limit for learning how to surf. It's never too late to start! Regardless of your age, learning how to surf can be achieved with enough time and determination.

Can you learn surfing at 50?

At our surf and yoga retreats, we teach all different types of students–from varied backgrounds, athletic abilities, ages, and temperaments–how to experience the freedom and joy of riding the waves.

How do I get fit for surfing?

5 ways to get surf fit

  1. Twisting burpees. Burpees mimic the explosive action of jumping up on your board after catching a wave, combining a push up and jump, while the added twist challenges your core and balance. ...
  2. Waking lunges. ...
  3. Straight arm pullovers. ...
  4. Single foot planks. ...
  5. Flying supermans.

How long is a mini mal?

Mini Mals are cut down longboards generally 7'0 to 8'6 in length (longboards are classified as over 9 foot in length). Mini Mal very user-friendly & functional for beginners to experienced surfers.

What is a hybrid board?

By the dictionary definition, a hybrid is 'a thing made by combining two different elements; a mixture'. So, as the name 'hybrid surfboard' suggests, a hybrid board is a type of surfboard that has been shaped by combining the design concepts of two or more other types of surfboard shapes.