How to Buy a Surfboard

Most accomplished surfers are unemployed for a reason. Surfing requires total commitment. Even buying a board is tough. However, surfboard selection is surprisingly nontechnical. Experienced surfers choose boards based on feel, intuition and experience as much as on any hard data. So quit your job, select a board and get in the water.

Difficulty:

Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Find a comfortable spot and watch some surfers. Study the boards. Big boards glide easily but turn slowly. Small boards turn quickly but glide poorly.

2. Decide on a type of board. Small boards--less than about 7 feet in length, with pointed noses--are called shortboards. These are ideal for aggressive, rapid maneuvers. Larger boards--usually between 9 and 10 feet, with rounded noses--are called longboards, and excel at graceful, smooth turns.

3. If you're a beginner, get a cheap used board that you can knock around while learning, not an expensive and stylish board. Check that the fins are securely in place and that there are no holes in the fiberglass. Small repairs are fine, but avoid boards that have been broken in half and repaired.

4. Inspect the dimensions, usually written on the bottom. For beginners, concern yourself with the length, width and thickness. Ignore the nose and tail dimensions. Width ranges from about 18 to 21 inches. Most thicknesses fall between 2 and 3 inches.

5. Larger surfers need larger boards. A 220-lb. (82-kg) person might choose a 7-foot shortboard, 21 inches wide and 3 inches thick. An 80-lb. (30-kg) kid will surf better on a 5-foot board, 18 inches wide and 2 inches thick. For longboards, most people choose 9- foot boards. People of above-average size should consider slightly longer boards, such as 9-foot-6 inches.

6. Avoid very old boards; they just won't surf very well. Old longboards are easy to identify because they weigh over 20 lbs.(7.5 kg). If it's hard to lift, it will be hard to surf with. Also avoid shortboards with only one fin. A modern shortboard has three or more fins.

7. Expect to pay at least $100 for a serviceable used shortboard. New shortboards range from $350 to $500. A good used longboard will cost at least $300. New longboards cost $450 to $700.

Tips & Warnings

• Most shops make their own boards. Ask about having a board custom-made. The shop will have ideas about what will work for you, based on your experience and size, and the local waves.

• Wax is applied to the top of a surfboard for grip. If you buy your board from a surf shop, it will usually throw in a few bars of wax for free.

• Surfboards around the world are sold in feet and inches, not metrics.