How to Buy a Surfboard

How do you buy the best surfboard for you? Here's what you need to know.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Waves

1. 

   Assess the level of your skill.
   
   What surfboard is right for you is directly dependent on your skill level. Are you a beginner and young? Are you a beginner and over 30? Are you very skilled? If so you probably are not reading this article. Were you once skilled but now out of shape?

2. 

   Longboards
   
   Longboards offer the most fun per wave for the occasional surfer. They allow you to get into waves early and they are much easier to stand up on versus a short board. In large or hollow waves they are a liability but for most folks who surf 30 or fewer times per year longboards are your best choice.

3. 

   Funboards
   
   Highly popular nowadays, funboards offer some of the advantages of longboards mixed with the increased maneuverability of a short board. This is what I ride.

4. 
   Three fins=revolution.

   Short boards (Thrusters)
   
   The standard for those who surf at the highest level for 20+ years now. If you surf nearly everyday that there are waves, and launching yourself above the lip of the wave and up into pelican territory is your goal, this is what you ride.
   
   Short boards are unforgiving but in critical conditions this is what the most tallented surfers ride.

5. 
   No surfer should have a pink board.

   Short boards other than traditional thrusters.
   
   There are many very good surfers who surf fishes and other retro shapes on a regular basis. Master the traditional thruster first then start surfing the oddball shapes.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment. See what gives you the most fun per go-out. Fun is the point.

[surly-mac]

on 3/1/2009 I'm a California Refugee and this article brought me "home" for a few minutes. Any board will do in west-central Missouri.. but I sure miss the Central Coast! Thanks for the great article - but I'm only looking... not buying.

[luv2laugh]

on 3/1/2009 this is a helpful article for anyone who wants to start surfing, but is a novice (like me)

[khristal23]

on 3/1/2009 Very good, informational article! I'd love to learn to surf someday. 5*

[JIN1128]

on 2/28/2009 Great advice. I don't know how to surf but it's good to know which surf board to pick.

[Shamrockcon]

on 2/28/2009 I didn't know the differences so thanks! I would be interested in more articles like this!