Updated November 9, 2022
Steeped in the traditions and history of the Pacific Islands, 60 years ago surfing involved huge longboards and appeared only to be suitable for the most adventurous and athletic of individuals. The best locations for surfing were also limited to a degree by the capabilities of these types of boards, as well.
A lot of development has happened in the sport since those days with new shortboard designs and continuous advancement making a wide range of environments possible for surfing for people of different levels and physical make-up.
If you have decided to take the plunge, have been to the shore, have given it a try, and are now interested in getting your own first surfboard, the selection process may be a bit daunting. There is such a variety of boards of all shapes, sizes, and features it is hard to choose.
To help in your consideration process, some of the best surfboards for beginners are reviewed below. Starting with a comparison table, top models are described with key features, photos, and videos with a basic buying guide to finish up.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more reviews of surfing gear, please check out these popular posts:
Surfboards for Kids Soft Top Surfboards Surfboards Surfboard Car Racks Surf Booties Surfing Wetsuits Surfboard Travel Bags Men’s Rash Guards Women’s Rash Guards Wakesurf Boards Skimboards Bodyboards Bodyboard Fins
Best Surfboards for Beginners
- Giantex 6′ Foamie Beginner Surfboard
- Odysea Catch Surf Log Beginner Surfboard
- South Bay Board Company 7′ Ruccus Soft Top Beginner Surfboard
- Wavestown Classic 8′ Beginner Surfboard
- South Bay Board Company 6′ Guppy Beginner Soft Top Surfboard
- BIC Sport G-Board EVO Beginner Soft Top Surfboard
- Liquid Shredder FSE Soft Beginner Surfboard
- Rock-It Big Softy 8′ Beginner Surfboard
- South Bay Board Company 5′ Lil Betsy Hybrid Beginner Surfboard
Best Surfboard for Beginners Comparison Table
| Picture | Surfboard | Length | Weight Capacity | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Giantex 6' Foamie Beginner Surfboard | 6' | 200 lbs | 4.5 | $ |
  | Odysea Catch Surf Log Beginner Surfboard | 8' | 180 lbs | 4.9 | $$$ |
  | South Bay Board Company 7' Ruccus Soft Top Beginner Surfboard | 7' | 200 lbs | 4.7 | $$$ |
  | Wavestown Classic 8′ Beginner Surfboard | 8' | 200 lbs | 4.7 | $$ |
  | South Bay Board Company 6' Guppy Beginner Soft Top Surfboard | 6' | 150 lbs | 4.6 | $$ |
  | BIC Sport G-Board EVO Beginner Soft Top Surfboard | 8' | 230 lbs | 4.8 | $$$ |
  | Liquid Shredder FSE Soft Beginner Surfboard | 9' | 210 lbs | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Rock-It Big Softy 8' Beginner Surfboard | 8' | 225 lbs | 4.6 | $$$ |
  | South Bay Board Company 5' Lil Betsy Hybrid Beginner Surfboard | 5' | 170 lbs | 4.5 | $$ |
| Picture | Surfboard | Length | Weight Capacity | Rating | Price |
Giantex 6′ Foamie Beginner Surfboard
The Giantex 6’ Foamie comes in at a very low price point, a real plus for a beginner or for your first board but that is not all it offers.
It is lightweight and durable with 3 fins for tracking and maneuverability and the package includes a leash and traction pad.
With a 200-pound capacity, kids and most adults can enjoy it.
In addition, the choice of multi-colored designs is eye-catching.
- Length: 6 feet
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Dimensions: 72” x 20” x 3”
- Weight Capacity: 200 pounds
- Materials: EPE foam deck, EPS foam core, bottom of slick, hard high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- Features: 3 removable fins
- Accessories: traction pad, leash
- Colors: choice of red & blue, white & blue, or yellow & blue
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.5
Odysea Catch Surf Log Beginner Surfboard
Inspired by pro surfer Jamie O’Brien, the Catch Surf Odysea Log 6-footer is a high-buoyancy “logging” surfboard that works well for beginners trying to catch their first wave that will continue to be appreciated as skills become more advanced.
Features include a durable dual-composite core and triple wood stringers for stiffness, a bumper tail that provides protection for vertical storage, and a thruster 3-fin set for maneuverability and tracking.
For surfers larger than the 180-pound capacity, 7 and 8-foot models are also available.
- Length: 6 feet
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Dimensions: 72” x 22” x 3.125”
- Weight Capacity: 180 pounds
- Materials: PE deck, slick high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottom, dual-composite core, triple wood stringers for stiffness
- Features: 3 removable fins, bumper tail for board protection and vertical storage, leash plug
- Accessories: none
- Colors: current choice of Hot Pink or Even Rosell ‘20 color schemes
- Also available in 7’ and 8’ models with greater weight capacities
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.9
South Bay Board Company 7′ Ruccus Soft Top Beginner Surfboard
The South Bay Board Company 7’ Ruccus Soft Top has the right size and shape for great performance on small waves and on whitewater, the best spots for beginners.
The fingerprint texture on the wax-free foam deck provides traction and the hard double concave HDPE bottom the speed and control.
The moderately priced package comes with a 7-foot leash, 3-fin thruster set, rubber tail bumper for protection, and a choice of aqua, black, blue, or red colors.
- Length: 7 feet
- Dimensions: 84″ x 22” x 2.85”
- Weight Capacity: 200 pounds
- Materials: Wax-free fingerprint textured IXPE foam deck, closed-cell EPS molded foam core, double concave HDPE hard plastic bottom deck
- Features: 3 removable fins, bumper tail for board protection and vertical storage
- Accessories: 7-foot leash
- Colors: current choice of aqua, black, blue, or red
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.7
View More From South Bay Board Company
Wavestown Classic 8′ Beginner Surfboard
The Wavestown Classic 8’ Soft Top has a longboard design great for beginners on small waves.
Lightweight and plenty buoyant for surfers up to 200 pounds, it is durably constructed with 3 stringers for added rigidity and a 3-fin thruster set for maneuverability.
The Rasta Pinline color scheme is striking and it comes with accessories that include a traction pad and a leash to go with reasonable pricing.
- Length: 8 feet
- Weight: 11.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 96″ x 22.5″ x 3.25″
- Weight Capacity: 200 pounds
- Materials: Tough EPS core, GFT (Graphic Film Technology) deck skin, textured IXL deck and rails, high-density HDPE smooth bottom skin, 3 marine-ply stringers for stiffness and support
- Features: 3 bolt-through removable fins
- Accessories: leash, textured traction pad
- Colors: Rasta Pinline multi-color design
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.7
South Bay Board Company 6′ Guppy Beginner Soft Top Surfboard
Great for youngsters and beginners up to 150 pounds, the South Bay Board Company 6’ Guppy has a rounded egg, funboard shape, and the buoyancy to get them off to a good start.
Not to be mistaken for a toy, it has the same durable materials and construction values as other SBBC boards with a 3-fin thruster set up for maneuverability and 2 wooden stringers for rigidity.
A carry handle makes it easy for kids to carry down the beach and a leash prevents losing track of the board in a wipe-out.
In kid-friendly pink or blue striped color patterns, pricing is reasonable.
- Length: 6 feet
- Dimensions: 72″ x 21″ x 3″
- Weight Capacity: 150 pounds
- Materials: IXPE form top deck, slick HDPE bottom deck, EPS closed-cell foam core, 2 wooden stringers for rigidity
- Features: 3 bolt-through removable fins, carry handle
- Accessories: leash
- Colors: blue/white or pink/white stripes
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.6
View More From South Bay Board Company
BIC Sport G-Board EVO Beginner Soft Top Surfboard
The BIC G-Board EVO has an extra soft, non-slip EVA deck and a stable, high-volume, buoyant design great for beginners.
The 3-fin thruster setup and comparatively pronounced rocker enable faster carving useful for the more advanced on medium-sized waves as well.
With a capacity of 230 pounds, it suits all members of the family including a parent introducing surfing to a child using the same board.
Receiving high marks in user reviews and being used for instruction in surf schools, it is renowned for durability and comes at a moderate price.
Please note that you will need to provide your own leash.
- Length: 8 feet
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Dimensions: 96″ x 23″ x 3″
- Weight Capacity: 230 pounds
- Materials: EVA deck, twin composite reinforced stringers for stiffness and support
- Features: 3 removable fins (G-Board soft fins)
- Accessories: none
- Color: rusty orange
- Also available in a 6-foot model
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.8
Liquid Shredder FSE Soft Beginner Surfboard
The Liquid Shredder FSE (Foam Special Edition) Soft Surfboard has a round nose and classic longboard shape great for a beginner cruising in small waves and foam.
It has a slick and reasonably hard PP bottom (HDPE is a little stiffer) but bolsters rigidity with 3 stringers (2 wooden and 1 fiberglass). It’s fast for a foamie and has a 3-fin thruster set up to enhance maneuverability.
With durable materials and heat lamination, it will provide years of service.
It comes with a reasonable price and a 90-day warranty. You’ll have to supply the leash.
- Length: 9 feet
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Dimensions: 108″ x 24.5″ x 3″
- Weight Capacity: 210 pounds
- Materials: EPE deck, EPS core, PP bottom, heat lamination, two wooden stringers, and a fiberglass one for rigidity
- Features: 3 removable fins, bumper tail for board protection, and vertical storage
- Accessories: none
- Color: yellow or red
- 90-day manufacturer’s non-commercial warranty
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.8
View More From Liquid Shredder
Rock-It Big Softy 8′ Beginner Surfboard
The Rock-It 8’ Big Softy has a 225-pound capacity and longboard styling that makes it a solid, stable, forgiving soft top that is a good choice for beginners.
For surfing small waves and foam it is easy to stand up on and the 3-fin thruster setup does a good job assisting in cuts, turns, and tracking along the break.
With heat-laminated construction, a UV-resistant soft top, and wooden stringers for rigidity, it is durable and has a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects to back it up.
Surfers can get a good grip on the soft top without waxing though waxing may improve it for some.
A leash is not in the package but the price is quite reasonable freeing up some cash for the leash of your choice.
- Length: 8 feet
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Dimensions: 96″ x 22.7″ x 3.3″
- Weight Capacity: 225 pounds
- Materials: recycled EPS foam core, UV-resistant soft top, heat lamination, 3 marine wooden stringers for rigidity
- Features: 3 removable fins
- Accessories: none
- Color: orange and sea camo zebra-striped bottom (thought to discourage interest from sharks)
- 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.6
South Bay Board Company 5′ Lil Betsy Hybrid Beginner Surfboard
The South Bay Board Company Big Betsy Hybrid Soft Top 5-footer can serve dual purposes as a surfboard or a wake surfboard.
It has the length for taller surfers behind a boat having a blast on 1 to 2-foot waves.
It also suits children and adults on small ocean break waves and with experience those in the 3 to 5-foot range.
This flat, thin board has minimal rocker, a blunt nose, and a swallowtail for a very fast ride with twin fins to assist in carving and holding a line.
The fingerprint-textured deck provides excellent traction without waxing, it comes with a 5-foot leash and an action camera mount in front, all at a reasonable price.
- Length: 5 feet
- Dimensions: 60″ x 20″ x 2″
- Weight Capacity: 170 pounds
- Materials: fingerprint textured wax-free foam top deck, EPS closed-cell foam core, real bamboo resined hand-glassed hard bottom, full-length wooden stringer for rigidity
- Features: dual removable fins, pre-installed action camera mount
- Accessories: 5-foot leash
- Color: white
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.5
View More From South Bay Board Company
Surfboards for Beginners Buying Guide
Basic Considerations
When you are learning to surf and trying to decide which surfboard is most suitable, there are three primary areas to consider first.
- Volume & Buoyancy – The volume of a surfboard is a major influence on its buoyancy. The heavier you are the greater the buoyancy needs to be. When buoyancy is low the board will be much harder to stand up on, especially for a beginner.
- Length – Longboards have greater volume and thereby are more buoyant making them a great platform for learning. In the white water and small waves where you get your start, a longboard will be a big advantage.
- Width – A wider board is more stable and easier to stand up on. Greater width when combined with greater thickness and length, add up to greater volume, as well, for more buoyancy. Thin narrow boards are less buoyant.
Soft-Top Versus Hard-Top Surfboards
Traditional boards have a hard top and generally speaking deliver higher performance than soft-top boards, though soft-top designs are increasing in performance sophistication as time goes on. Bearing that in mind, for a beginner the advantages of a soft-top far outweigh the disadvantages in a comparison with a hard-top model.
Advantages
- Less Expensive – The most expensive soft top models are often cheaper than some very ordinary hard top boards. The most expensive soft top model reviewed above is $400, for example. Also, if down the road you want to sell it, resale value tends to be higher when compared to hard top resale.
- Safety – If you fall off or bail out and your soft top board delivers a blow to your head or to a nearby surfer, the injury is likely to be much less severe than what might be incurred when the materials used on a hard top like fiberglass, epoxy, or wood make contact. This is a key consideration for a beginner who will not exactly have precision control.
- Stability & Buoyancy – Many soft tops are high volume and more stable which is a big benefit to beginners, especially on small waves and on whitewater.
- Waxing – Most soft tops are designed with a textured surface that provides a good grip without waxing.
- Durability – Dings on the deck and rails are much less likely than on a hard top. A “foamie” can absorb such stress much more easily. In addition to more minor dings or scrapes, the brittle surface of a hard top is more prone to damage that could be catastrophic to the structure.
Disadvantages
- Heavier – It takes more effort to carry them around.
- Waterlogging – If the surface materials are breached, filling with water can happen which shortens the life of the board immensely.
- Performance – As mentioned, there are some pretty high-performance soft top boards but the latest advancements in design and the really top-flight competition boards are hard tops. On the other hand, this is not a major concern for a beginner.
For a detailed discussion, check out this article: Best Beginner Surfboards / The Complete Guide to Surfboards for Beginners
For more reviews of surfing gear, please check out these popular posts:
Surfboards for Kids Soft Top Surfboards Surfboards Surfboard Car Racks Surf Booties Surfing Wetsuits Surfboard Travel Bags Men’s Rash Guards Women’s Rash Guards Wakesurf Boards Skimboards Bodyboards Bodyboard Fins
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