How to Choose the Right Surfboard: The Complete Guide for Beginners & Intermediates

Why Choosing the Right Surfboard Matters

Picking your first surfboard isn't just an equipment purchase—it's the linchpin between falling in love with surfing or giving up. The right board simplifies learning, accelerates progress, and amps your surf stoke. But the wrong board often leads to wipeouts, frustration, and thoughts like, "Surfing isn’t for me."
Every board type—from foam to shortboard—is designed for a specific skill level, body type, and wave condition. Ignore the match, and those magical beach feelings vanish fast.

Why It’s Critical for Absolute Beginners

Learning to surf is like driving on a busy freeway without a license—you desperately need a reliable board to guide you. A well-suited board becomes your safety net, coach, and confidence-booster rolled into one.
JOYS BRAND tip: Don’t start with the fanciest board—pick the one that helps you learn first, progress second.

Surfboard Types: From Foamboard to Shortboard

1. Foamboard (Soft‑Top) – Best for Absolute Beginners

• Length: 7–9 ft

• Pros: High buoyancy, safe to fall on, easy to paddle

• Cons: Bulky, limited maneuverability
  Choose this for your first 10–20 sessions—whether in the ocean or a wave pool.

2. Longboard

• Length: 9 ft+

• Pros: Super stable, easy wave entry, classic style

• Cons: Hard to turn, not great in big waves
  Best for relaxed, stylish surfing and smooth turns.

3. Mini‑Malibu / Funboard

• Length: 7–8 ft

• Pros: A solid step-up from foamboards with better handling

• Cons: Less maneuverable than shortboards
  Ideal for surfers who’ve mastered foam sessions and want more versatility.

4. Shortboard

• Length: 5’6 – 6’6 ft

• Pros: High-performance turns, fast & agile

• Cons: Demands strong technique—avoid it as your first board

5. Fish Board

• Length: Comparable to shortboards

• Pros: Fast paddle, stable, great in small waves

• Cons: Not suited for big, radial waves
  Perfect for surfers craving speed in mellow conditions.

Match Board to Your Level & Body

Skill Level

• Beginner: Never done it or still wobbling—start with a foamboard or mini‑malibu (8 ft+)

• Intermediate: Paddles out, catches green waves—move to a funboard, fish, or soft longboard (7’0–8’0)

• Advanced: Riding rails and carving—choose a shortboard or progressive fish

Weight & Volume

• Choose a board with enough volume (in liters) to support you:

  Weight	Beginner Volume
  50–60 kg	40–50 L
  60–70 kg	50–60 L
  70–80 kg	60–70 L
  80–90 kg	70–80 L
  90+ kg	80+ L

   

For intermediates and pros, subtract 20–30% volume for better maneuverability.

What If You Pick Wrong?

• Too small/unstable → balance issues, fatigue, frustration.

• Too long/heavy → slow acceleration, hard to turn.

• Too advanced → you’ll struggle with control, not the wave.

Protect your progression—pick the right board today.

What Boards Are Made Of

EPS + Epoxy

• Pros: Lightweight, durable, crash-resistant, floats well

• Cons: Feels stiffer, can "skip" over small waves
  Great for travel, beginners, and surf parks.

PU + Polyester

• Pros: Warm feel, responsive flex, classic vibe

• Cons: Less impact resistant, heavier, can absorb water
  Ideal for tech surf lovers.

Soft‑Top

• Pros: Safe, stable, budget-friendly

• Cons: Not high-performance, requires more frequent replacement
  Perfect for schools, kids, and total beginners.

How Board Shape Affects Glide

• Outline:
  Wide = stable; narrow = quick, sharp turns

• Nose:
  Rounded = smooth lift; pointed = carves into barrel

• Tail:

  • Squash = all-round

  • Round = control in bigger waves

  • Swallow = tight turns in small surf

  • Pin = control in big surf

• Rails:
  Soft rails = forgiving; sharp rails = precision

• Rocker:
  Flat = fast paddling; high = maneuverability in steep waves

One shape change can completely transform your ride.

Board Types Quick Reference

• Longboard (9 ft+) → smooth style

• Funboard (6’8 – 8’0) → stable progression

• Egg / Fish → fun and responsive

• Shortboard (5’5 – 6’5) → performance

• Hybrid (5’6 – 6’10) → best of both worlds

Fins: The Power Behind Your Ride

• Single fin → longboard control, graceful turns

• Twin fin → speed-focused fish boards

• Thruster (3-fin) → balanced, versatile, ideal for learning

• Quad → fast and strong in bigger waves

• 5-fin setup → switchable (twin, thruster, quad)

Beginner recommendation: thruster.
Want fun? Twin or quad.

Surfing Conditions & Board Choice

Every spot demands a board built for those conditions.

New or Used Board?

New Boards:

• Pristine, longer lifespan, custom options
  – Most expensive, risk of choosing wrong for a first timer

Used Boards:

• Budget-friendly entry, good for testing
  – Risk of hidden damage, limited options

Buying Used Checklist:

• No cracks or water-logged dings

• Smooth, professional repairs only

• Check boxes, nose/tail, and overall integrity

A smart used board = great place to start without overspending.

JOYS BRAND Picks: Complete Surf Setup

Surf Swimsuits

• Imsouane Ribbed Khaki – All-in-one suit for surf trips. Holds position, dries quick.

• Cloud 9 Praline – Long-sleeve, sun-safe, sleek; perfect for comfort & style.

• La Punta Black (Bikini + Top) – Secure two-piece ideal for wave pools and warm sessions.

Rashguards & Boardshorts

• Praline Rashguard (Women) – Stretchy, snug fit, sun protection.

• Sayulita Retro Shorts (Unisex) – Vintage-style, quick-dry, durable.

Surf Essentials

• Jaws Violet Sport Top – Athletic top for intense paddling or dryland training.

• Freedom Prayer Tee, Nature Hoodie, Limit Chaser Longsleeve – For before & after surf comfort.

Day-Bag Must-Haves

• Zinc sunscreen + wet bag

• Hiking towel + clothes change

• Hydration + first aid kit

JOYS BRAND gear = function + style for every wave.

Final Takeaway

Choosing the right board is more than gear—it’s confidence, progress, and style on the water. Pair it with the right surfwear from JOYS BRAND, and your sessions will feel effortless.

Start smart. Choose well. Surf larger dreams.