Are you looking for a new surfboard?
Inspired by surfers? Want to be one? These surfboards will carry you across the waves and give hours of ocean-side challenge and entertainment.
Surfing is one of the best exercises in terms of beautiful surroundings and opportunity to improve skills.
Both relaxing and exhilarating, surfing is an adventure, and every day is different.
Catch the waves on one of these surfboards and have some fun!
The 2020 surf season is coming. I’m starting to see lots of potential surfers scoping out these boards now.
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How to Buy a Surfboard
Buying a Surfboard Best Suits You
Trying to determine the best surfboard to buy can be a truly mind-boggling process. If you had been bitten by the surfing bug, you would have spent countless hours scouring surf shops and online stores in an effort to find that special surfboard for your quiver.
The quick guide below aims to help you source out the right surfboard that will enhance your performance and stoke!
Surfing Ability
Different surfing levels will require different types of surfboards. Any good surf shop or online store will be able to provide helpful advice on the best surfboard which fits your skills.
Beginners usually start off best on longboards, soft surfboards, pop-outs, or funboards. Intermediate and advanced surfers wanting to take their surfing to a whole new level, will be eager to experiment with fish surfboards or shortboards.
Personal Characteristics
Your personal features of age, weight, and height will have a large influence on the surfboard that is best for you.
Fit young adults will have no problem handling the speed and maneuverability of a fish surfboard or shortboard, while older folks may prefer a longboard instead, which promises more stability and relaxed cruising.
Bigger and heavier surfers usually require wider, thicker, and longer surfboards to keep afloat. The additional width and thickness adds more foam, enhancing the stability and floatation of the surfboard, and creates less drag over the waves. Surfers will be able to catch more waves with less effort required.
Type of Waves You Plan to Ride
Different surf breaks require different surfboards, and it is not uncommon to find a quiver of sticks to fit different wave conditions and wave sizes.
Longboards are ideal for small waves, while fish surfboards are perfect for mushy, slow-breaking waves. Shortboards are usually chosen by experienced surfers to ride fast, steep waves.
Your Surfing Aspirations
You will also need to factor in your surfing style and goals, which will play an important role in sourcing for the best surfboard ideal for your needs.
If you are fully committed to surfing, and intend to take it to a whole new high, complete with radical tricks and sharp turns, a fish surfboard or shortboard will be an ideal buy. For surfers planning to surf occasionally, and who prefer a relaxed, mellow form, longboards will be a better option.
Do not be embarrassed or afraid to ask for help before you make a buy decision. All surf shops will be only too happy to help you find the best surfboard which is an ideal match. Online stores are also a great source of facts and knowledge on surfboards, and will be able to assist you in making an informed decision.
4 Best Surfboard Reviews
1. Foamie Board Surfboard
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This is a beginners (children’s) surfboard, 6′ in length. Durable foamie top and slick bottom. 20.5″ wide and 2 inches thick. The surfboard comes with a leash and traction pad. Fins are removable for easier transport.
2. Liquid Shredder Soft Surfboard
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The Liquid Shredder Soft Surfboard in a variety of bright colors has a soft foam deck with wood stringers to maintain stiffness. EPS core with hard slick bottom for rigidity, strength, and durability. Polyethylene surface provides anti-slip texture when wet.
3. Liquid Shredder Element Soft Surfboard
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A Peruvian surfboard for medium waves with a soft and ergonomic carry handle. The board weighs 15 lbs. – max. surfer weight suggested 230 lbs.. This surfboard has a soft vinyl outer skin and is not laminated. There are three fins, a foot leash, nose and tail protectors to increase durability. Comes with a one-year non-commercial use warranty.
4. Atom Soft Top Surfboard
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The perfect soft-top surfboard for beginners. This soft XPE surfboard provides extra traction for staying upright. Fins are rubberized for safety when you wipe out. This board is my top choice for a beginning surfer.
Best Sunglasses for Surfing
Surfers spend long hours in the sun and absorb the reflections of the sun off the water. Regardless if you short board, long board, stand up paddle surfing or big wave surf your eyes will eventually pay the price. Damage to your eyes can be avoided by simply wearing sunglasses designed for surfing. Even if you’re not concerned about your health, surfing sunglasses can be a lifesaver when surfing in the morning or evening glare of the sun. They also make a wonderful Christmas gift idea for a surfer. Below is some common medical conditions that affect surfers and these can be avoided by simply protecting your eyes while in the water.
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The Health Benefits of Sunglasses for Surfing
Eye Sunburn: This happens when your eye gets sunburned from UV rays and long term occurrence can lead to cataracts and pterygium.
UV Radiation: Ultra Violet, is intense light that isn’t visible but is damaging so you should protect your skin and eyes from it. For surfers, the concern is up to 80% of electromagnetic radiation can be reflected off the surface of the water.
Cataracts: Cataracts is a clouding of the eye lens and disrupts vision. UV radiation is the concern for surfers and the surgery to fix the issue isn’t cheap.
Pterygium: Pterygium is a growth in the clear membrane that covers the white of the eye. This is also known as surfers eye. For surfers, the concern is the exposure to UV radiation and the wind.
Macular Degeneration: Macular Degeneration damages the central part of the retina and is a progressive disease. Symptoms include spots of darkness near the center of your vision. The concern for surfers is they expose themselves for long periods of time to blue light.
Physical Trauma: Don’t laugh, it’s true. Surfers are at risk for injury to the eye from surfboard fins, surfboard noses, reef and rocks, and body parts. Surf sunglasses can help protect your eye from these types of injuries.
Bonus: Basic Surf Tips for Beginners
You have witnessed the artistic and stunning forms of surfers with their incredibly sharp turns and aerial attacks, fallen in love with the sport of surfing, and are eager to hit the waters and experience the same exhilaration.
But hold on, not so fast – you need to know some basic surfing tips before hitting the surf, which will make your learning experience more rewarding and effective.
Getting the Right Surfboard
Finding the best surfboard for your needs is essential, as it can have a real impact on how you enter the sport. What type of surfboard should you buy? Where are the best places to source for a good surfboard? Should you buy a surfboard from an online store, or check out a surf shop instead?
Shore Surfing
You are now the proud owner of your very first surfboard. But before you head straight for the waves, it is ideal to start out with some basic skills on dry land.
Learning how to paddle your surfboard requires strength, stability, and practice. Lie on your board and center your weight on the board. If your weight is too far forward, it will lead to pearling – where the nose digs into the water; being too far back will make it difficult to catch waves. Keep your head and chest up, and legs together. Cup your hands, and paddle with the crawl stroke alternating your arms. Relaxing your shoulders will also make your stroke more fluid and efficient.
It is best to practice the pop-up – transition from a prone position to the upright position in one fluid motion – a few times on the beach. From your facedown position, slide your hands back at the rails, in a push-up position. Proceed to do a push up, and swing your feet forward into a crouching position.
Once you have mastered the pop-up, you will be able to focus on standing on your surfboard.
Padding Out
You are now ready to paddle out to where the waves break. The easiest way to get out is to use a rip current. When padding through small, crumbling waves, push your body up off the board and let the wave pass through you – a method known as pushing up. Some other common methods include the duck-dive, slice and duck, and the turtle roll.
Catching Your First Wave
Catching a wave, your first takeoff, requires you to be at the right place at the right time, and to paddle effectively. Remember to get centered on your board, and catch a wave at the peak, where it has the most power. Time your paddling at the right time, and paddle for your life – do not stop before you’ve caught the wave!
Falling is an inevitable aspect of the sport of surfing that every beginner will experience repeatedly. Be patient with yourself, try not to get frustrated or demoralized if you are making slow progress, and persevere on. If you are determined and observant, you’ll eventually have the time of your life!
