How to Choose a Surfboard that Suits You
Pictures of surfing always seem to display the care-free side of the sport. Although surfing is a time of stress-free enjoyment, finding the perfect board can be more intense.
Experience
Whether you’re hitting the waves for the first time or you’ve been riding them for years makes a difference in the best board choice for you. Beginners will have more success on longer, thicker boards because they help stabilize while you adjust to the feeling of the water under your feet. Test your comfort levels with a longboard or mini-long while you adjust to the sport.
Intermediate surfers have a few more options and should take the time to try them out. If you’ve been surfing for a while, try a funshape for a little more style and a less length, but nothing too dramatic. Once you’re comfortable with a slightly shorter board, check out some smaller and thinner boards such as the fish. You don’t have to be a professional to enjoy the freedom of these more flexible boards.
Advanced surfers will feel the best on a shortboard or fish. Shortboards provide top performance for quick moves while the fish is a good option for adjusting from a longer board to a top-performer.
The Waves
Most surfers live where waves are available, not necessarily ideal. If you are typically surfing waves in the 4’ range, you do not need a small, thin board for maneuvering. You will actually have more fun on a slightly longer, thicker board that tackles these waves with ease. Choose a rounded board for the care-free surfing experience displayed in all those pictures. Rounded edges and fins are the best fit for numerous wave types and ideal for every surfer’s collection…just in case you surf somewhere new. Which is likely considering one of the best attractions of being a surfer is to ride new waves in new and exciting locations. Not to mention famous ones.
Other Factors
Your weight and height also play an important role in choosing the right surfboard. If you are taller or heavier, you may want to stick with a longer, more weighted board to promote the best balance. A fishboard is probably your smallest option for maintaining comfortable control. However, short or slender people may have more trouble controlling larger boards and will be more comfortable moving quickly to smaller and lighter boards to ease the struggle of repeatedly paddling out into the waves. You can check out the size chart on Surfer today’s website for more information on the best board for your body type.
Your body style and surfing experience play large roles in choosing the perfect surfboard. However, your personal preferences and comfort levels are the most important factors. Try a few boards to find the best fit for you. And remember, as your skills advance or if your location changes, you may want to shop around for a more fitting board. Most surfers own a number of boards so they’re always ready to surf any wave that comes their way!
Olivia is an amateur surfer and recommends getting a quality surfboard for all levels of skill from The Fellow Way, where you can get a custom made board.