Surfing Guide - Boards

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Boards for Beginners
Softboard
The best surfboard for a beginner is a Mini Mal. The bigger, thicker the board the easier it is to catch waves with and is more stable to stand up on. One of the best boards to learn on would be around 8ft long and be made of foam. Foamies as they are called are the perfect board to start on because the soft foam construction means the boards are incredibly buoyant, enabling the beginner to catch waves easily. Their dimensions ensure that they are very stable in the water - making it easier for the novice to stand up.

Moulded board
This is a surfboard that is made on a production line and is a cheap alternative to a custom made fibreglass surfboard. The Moulded is made from thick epoxy fibreglass skin covered top sheet making them practically indestructible! As a result of their construction the Moulded is heavier than a softboard or a custom board of equal size, which is good from a learner's point of view, because the board is much steadier in the water. It's is a good beginner's choice because of their cost and the fact that they float really well. Also the Moulded boards are in demand and always have a good resale value. When you have learned to surf on them and are looking to buy a board more suitable to your surfing ability look to part exchange in a surf shop or sell your Moulded board and with the cash you should be able to put it towards a new shorter or custom board.

Custom Board
These are also known as glassed surfboards, boards that have been hand crafted as opposed to factory produced moulded or soft boards (but not necessarily produced to an individual's specification). The custom surfboard is the board used by the average and professional surfer alike, and make great beginners boards as long as you choose the correct surfboard board e.g. an 8ft Minimal not a 6ft shortboard!!

Boards for Beginners Guide

Surfboard Size

• No matter what type of board you buy it should be at least 6" longer than your own height.
• The wider the board, the more stable on the waves
• The thicker the board the more buoyant it will be, making it easier to paddle and catch waves
• An ultra thin, light shortboard will make learning to surf harder

Type - the best type of beginners surfboard depends on different factors:

• How often you will be surfing, your fitness levels, whether you need to look cool etc.
• Soft boards, longboards, minimals and moulded are all great beginners boards.
• Shortboards are not such a great beginner board for the average surfer.

New or Old - this depends on a number of factors including budget and availability of boards:

• Buying a new soft surfboard is a good idea if you have children or you do not intend to go surfing regularly.
• If you progress quickly in your surfing you will soon need another board more suited to your ability.
• Soft surfboards are for the novice only.
• Good second hand surfboards can be hard to find, take a look at the surfboard buying guide.
• With a beginners board you will have to replace it soon, you need a board that you can resell.

How Often You Surf

• If you surf intermittently go for either a Moulded, Mini-mal or Custom.
• If you surf 3-4 times a week you can pretty much start on any board you like.
• Surfing this regularly should see you quickly out of the 'novice surfer' stage.

Pages: Introduction | Safety Advice | How to Surf | Surf Breaks | Surf Boards

Content Source from: Surfing Waves