Buying the right surfboard can be a pretty difficult task even for the most experienced surfers out there. Many factors come into play like your skill level, the type of surf break, wave size, body weight and the desired surfing style you want to practice. Other secondary factors are not the neglect like the visual aspects, the shaper, the materials used to craft the surfboard and the price point.
Surfboards come in different sizes, shapes and designs which will completely change your experience in the water. For beginners, it is also very important to chose the right surfboard in order to help you learn faster and enjoy yourself in the water and not get discouraged after your first session.
Here is a step by step guide which will cover all the different questions you need to ask yourself before buying or renting a surfboard.
Surfboard volume
The first classic specification people look for when buying a surfboard is its volume, which is calculated in liters. The volume is a result of the length, width, thickness and shape of a surfboard. Simply put, the more volume a surfboard has, the more buoyancy it will offer. A surfboard with more volume allows to paddle faster and catch waves much easier. However, such surfboards will likely be less maneuverable.
The volume should also be linked to your body type and weight. You can use the Pyzel Volume Calculator to see what kind of surfboard volume is right for you depending on your size and skill level.
Different types of surfboards
Surfboards come in various shapes, each designed to suit different surfing conditions, styles, and skill levels. Understanding these shapes is crucial for selecting the right surf board for your needs.
Longboard
Longboards are typically 8 to 10 feet in length, with a wide nose and tail. They were the first types of surfboards ever ridden back in the early 90’s. They offer stability and are ideal for beginners to easily catch waves. Longboards also are widely used amongst experienced surfers looking for a more relaxed style of surfing.
Pros: Good for small to medium-sized waves, learning, and noseriding.
Cons: Harder to carry around, no possibility to duck dive and go under big white wash, less maneuverable.
Funboard (Mini Malibu)
Description: A hybrid between a longboard and a shortboard, funboards are shorter (around 7 to 9 feet) and more maneuverable than longboards. They provide a good balance of buoyancy, stability and performance.
Pros: All-around use, beginners transitioning to intermediate, and various wave conditions.
Cons: Not really possible to practice nose riding nor performance maneuvers. Sort of a weird in-between.
Shortboard
Description: Shortboards are typically 6 to 8 feet in length with a pointed nose and a narrow tail. They are designed for advanced surfers who prioritize maneuverability and speed. Shortboards are ideal to gain speed on a wave, do cut-backs, snaps, small barrel rides and air maneuvers.
Pros: Good for steep and powerful waves, advanced maneuvers, and experienced surfers. Very small in size and easy to carry in your car on on an airplane.
Cons: Harder to catch waves, not as forgiving. When waves get much bigger in size, short boards can actually be too small and will not offer the paddle power to catch and be stable on such waves.
Fish
Description: Short and wide with a swallowtail, fish boards are known for their speed and maneuverability. They usually range from 5’4″ to 6’2″ and are wider than traditional shortboards. Fish boards are usually seen as eccentric and are good to simply catch waves and have fun.
Pros: Small to medium-sized waves, quick turns, and surfers looking for a more skaty feel. Fish boards can be used with a twin, quad or thruster setup which all offer different feels.
Cons: Not as performant as a short board.
Gun
Description: Guns are long and narrow boards designed for riding big waves. They often have a pointed nose and are built for speed and control in powerful surf. Guns are usually only used in big waves and by expert surfers so 99% of surfers on the planet should not even bother having one in their quiver.
Pros: Large and powerful waves and big wave riding.
Cons: Little to no maneuverability, nearly impossible to carry around.
Hybrid
Description: Hybrid boards combine features from different traditional shapes, creating versatile options that cater to various surfing conditions. They often blend characteristics of shortboards and fish boards.
Pros: Versatility, adapting to changing conditions, and surfers looking for a well-rounded option.
Cons: Does not offer the same performance as a short board.
Egg
Description: Egg-shaped boards are characterized by their rounded nose and fuller outline. They offer stability similar to longboards but are shorter, typically ranging from 6 to 8 feet.
Best For: Intermediate surfers on small to medium-sized waves, and a blend of stability and maneuverability.
Step-Up boards
Description: Step-up boards have a bit more volume and length than standard shortboards, while still providing the same performance. They are designed for larger and more powerful waves, providing surfers with control and confidence in critical conditions.
Best For: Bigger wave surfing, experienced surfers, and situations where paddling and control are crucial.
Your skill level
The first thing to known when buying a new surfboard is your skill level. As a rule of thumb, beginners will always want more volume in order to catch waves easier. Intermediate and experienced surfers can then decide which style of surfing they want to practice.
The type of wave
The second thing is knowing where and what type of wave you want to surf. On smaller waves, you will want more volume in order to be able to paddle into them. As waves get bigger and more powerful, you do not need to have as much volume to catch them.
Budget
The other major factor which will influence your choice of surfboard is your budget. Surfboards can range from less than $100 for a second-hand board up to the thousands of dollars for a high-end new board. Second-hand boards are not always beat up junks. You can find some incredible deals on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Facebook community groups.
What to look out for on a second-hand surfboard
Buying a second-hand board is awesome. Not only do you save a lot of money, you help reduce your environmental impact by giving a second life to an already existing board.
When buying a second-hand surfboard, there are a few things to inspect to make sure you are not buying a junk.
1. Is the surfboard “water tight”
This means looking for any ding or cracks which would lead to water going inside the board. This is crucial as water getting to the foam will make the surfboard much heavier and affect its buoyancy. In the long run, a water damaged surfboard is basically “dead”.
2. Previous repairs
If the board was previously damaged, it can still work just fine as long as it was repaired professionally and water doesn’t reach inside. If a board was spray painted, it is sometimes to hide a previous repair, so it usually is a red flag.
3. Sun damage
Yes, even the sun is bad for surfboards and will eventually make the resin completely dry up and crack. The sun will also cause the surfboard to delaminate which is the creation of an air bubble between the resin and the foam which is detrimental for a board.
Which are the best surfboards brands and shapers?
Through the years, some shapers have built incredible reputations across the globe, sometimes because of their unique crafts and other times because of their affiliation with famous surfers.
Al Merrick, founder of Channel Islands Surfboards, is probably the most famous shaper of all time and was part of the iconic shaper/surfer duo between him and Kelly Slater. His surfboards are still widely produced and sold across the world and CIS remains a staple brand in the surfing industry.
Later on, Kelly Slater would partner up with FireWire to start his own line of surfboards called Slater Designs.
In Hawaii, many shapers have perfected the art of high performance surfboards like Eric Arakawa, Wade Tokoro and Jon Pyzel. The later is known for its iconic partnership with 2x world champion, John John Florence.
In Australia, a few famous shapers also made a worldwide reputation for themselves such as Jason Stevenson, founder of JS Industries and Darren Handley, founder of DHD surfboards.
Conclusion
Buying a surfboard can be quite a headache but if you take your time and consider all the variables such as your skill level, the type of wave you wanna surf, your weight and your budget, you will make things much simpler.
Keep in mind that the most common mistake a beginner surfer makes is going on a board that is too small for them. Having some extra volume never hurts!