Your first surfboard doesn’t just decide how quickly you get up.
It decides whether you give up in frustration after three days – or come out of the water with a big grin on your face.
When you’re just starting out with surfing, you want one thing above all else: a sense of achievement.
And you won’t get that with a stylish high-performance board, but with the right beginner surfboard.
Beginner surfboards
How do I choose the right size for my board?
The size is given in feet (feet) and inches (inches).
As a rule of thumb:
Your beginner surfboard should be approx. 30-50 cm longer than you.
But much more important than the length is the volume (measured in liters).
Why is volume so important?
More volume means:
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More buoyancy
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Easier paddling
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Easier take-off
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More stability
For beginners, the following clearly applies: the more volume, the more relaxed your start.
Beginner surfboards
Softtop or hardtop board?
Softtop surfboards
Softtops have a soft, foam-like surface.
Advantages:
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Safer in the event of a fall
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Stable and forgiving
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Ideal for small waves
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Perfect for first take-offs
Disadvantages:
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Less performance
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Heavier
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Less agile
Soft tops are usually the best choice for absolute beginners.
Hardtop surfboards
Hardtops are made of fiberglass or epoxy.
Advantages:
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Faster
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More agile
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More performance
Disadvantages:
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More sensitive
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Higher risk of injury
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Less forgiving
If you’re just starting out, we clearly recommend soft tops at the surf camp.
Later you can switch to hard tops as soon as your technique and safety are in place.
Beginner surfboards
Which shape suits me best?
There are many different board shapes that are adapted to different needs. Below you will find three boards in different shapes that are particularly suitable for beginners.
Mini Malibu (6’6″ – 8′)
The perfect middle ground.
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Lots of volume
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Stable
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Still more maneuverable than a longboard
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Ideal for small to medium waves
Mini Malibus are often our first recommendation for beginners with a sporty background.
Longboard (9′ and longer)
The most stable beginner surfboard.
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Extremely high buoyancy
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Very easy to paddle
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Ideal for small waves
Attention:
Due to its length, it can “fly” further in the event of a fall. Control is important here.
Hybrid
A mixture of longboard and shortboard.
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Good balance of stability and maneuverability
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Versatile in use
But: Not every hybrid is beginner-friendly. Make sure you have enough volume.
Beginner surfboards
Which leash is the right one?
The leash is your safety line.
Basic rule:
The leash should be as long as your board.
For beginners:
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Ankle Leash
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Approx. 7 mm thickness
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Double swivel joint
Safety is not a side issue. Especially in the line-up, you not only protect yourself, but also others.
Now you are familiar with the most important factors to consider, you can start looking for your dream surfboard.
