Choosing a Surfboard
Surfboards for Learning to Surf

When you are more experienced a good surfboard size rule of thumb is the surf board should be 6 inches taller then you. Of course your weight will influence the size of your surfboard and varying the length by 1-2 inches and increasing the thickness will compensate for a full bodied surfer.

A longboard, a round-nosed board of 9' or more length, is too difficult to control for most beginners, while a shortboard is typically too thin, narrow, and short, making it unstable and difficult to paddle and catch waves.

Minimals (mini malibu) These are by far the best learning to surf surfboard. They are typically around the 7'2" to 7'8" they have the shape of a longboard with a rounded nose and some extra width up to around 22" inches wide. They are easy to paddle and catch waves and the extra width makes them quite stable for standing up. The minimal's shorter length also make makes them a bit easier to manouver in the water, than a longboard. Paddling out through the waves will require you to do a turtle roll rather than duck diving though.

7'3 Mini malibu

Hybrid or Funboard Second choice would be a hybrid board. A hybrid surfboard is characterised by being a little wider through the nose curve and having a little extra thickness. They are easy to paddle and are great wave catchers. They are not quite as stable for standing up but definitley much more stable than a shortboard. The beauty of a hybrid is that the tail shapes are closer to a shortboard, so that when you get better and are ready to do turns, you can step back on the tail and turn the board. They usually range in length from 6'8" to around 7'6", but you will see many hybrid shapes outside of these lengths.

6'8 Hybrid Surfboard (Funboard)

Personally, I have a hybrid board as my second board for those days when the waves are smaller or slower. They are great wave catchers and a lot of fun. That's why they have the other name of a funboard!

General Tips on Buying your First Surfboard

Generally
120lb - 6'10"
140lb - 7'2"
170lb - 7'6" and above

When you first start surf boarding, start off by borrowing your friends surfboard or rent a board. Borrowing and renting has the added advantage of being able to try a few different surfboards before you commit to buying something.

Many of our surf school students continue to practice on the soft top surfboards for a few weeks untill they confident about catching waves and standing up. Then moving on to a hard surfboard.

If you must buy one, look for a used board when first starting out. Most surf shops should have some sort of used board selection. Look in newspapers for boards for sale. Be sure to look the board over before you buy.

Beginner's Soft Top surfboard

Make sure there aren't any dings, or holes in the board. If there are, you will need to repair them.

Test the deck for soft, bubbly, delamination, which weakens the board and allows it to take on water.

Make sure the fins are intact and that there is a plug on the deck for a leash.

Again, look for something with general characteristics of being wide, thick, and long as opposed to narrow, short, and thin. The board need not be totally pristine; once you really get into surfing you'll likely want to upgrade to something different.

For a first new surfboard NSP surf boards are probably the way to go. NSP has a wide range of minmals and hybrid shapes and come as a complete package with a traction pad and leash.

Another choice might be Bic surfboards , don't forget to order your board here :)