Best Beginner Surfboard Buyers Guide
How do I Choose My First Surfboard? What surfboard should I get?
With our Beginner Surfboard Buyers Guide, you’ll never wonder what size soft surfboards should I get? Do I need longboard surfboards? And, you will learn all you need to know to buy beginner surfboards. A fish surfboard or a shortboard? What is a surfboard volume calculator and do I need one? Is how a board works or correct surfboard designs are questions you can’t answer?
So, are you tempted to buy a top surfboard brand, expensive, cool, short, pointy nose fiberglass surfboard when you learn to surf? You know, like the Pros Ride in Surf Contests? Don’t do it, this is the last thing a beginner needs. So, check out our beginner surfboard buyers guide. It will explain, “What do I need to know when buying a surfboard?”
Let’s consider, most modern surfboards will be useless if you can’t catch surf on it, so, surfboard dimensions are important. This guide will help beginners find the best surfboards, learn to catch surf, and buy the correct surfing board. When you buy a surfboard, it is important to choose the one that matches your weight, athletic level, balance skills, and surfing conditions in which you’ll ride it. To avoid making mistakes, consider the following elements when choosing your first surfboard. Carefully read this beginner surfboard buyer’s guide.
Rider Weight is #1
Also, of primary importance is your weight, related to board size and wave strength. Just like a heavy vehicle requires more horsepower to go as fast as a lighter one. Generally, a bigger stronger vehicle can handle a greater towing weight, etc. Surfboards are the same. A larger surfing board is more difficult to duck dive but duck diving a surfboard is not a beginner surfer priority. We’re going to teach you how to buy beginner surfboards.
Above all, a small board, weak wave, and a heavy rider is a receipt for being unable to catch surf and 100% failure. Boards are like pants the wrong surfboard dimensions like too big, you can make work. Too small, any surfboard can be useless. BUY BEGINNER SURFBOARDS CLICK HERE to see some of the best beginner surfboards and Surfboard Sizes for beginner kids and adults.
Volume
Another fact, the volume of a surfboard determines how well it is going to float. As a beginner, you need to make sure your surfboard has plenty of floatation volume. The greater the volume, the easier it is for you to stand and catch the waves. Volume is usually measured in liters and as a beginner, you need to ensure your surfboard is at least as high as in the chart below relative to your body weight. Such a board will help you surf in any kind of water including catching unbroken green waves and white water surfing.
To find the best beginner surfboards, the correct right volume for your board is important, you simply divide your weight, by the volume of your surfboard. The resulting number will give you the best size of board you should go for in which case a higher number means a smaller board. The following chart should guide you when choosing the right surfboard size.
Beginner Suggested Board Flotational Volume:
| Your Height | Your Weight | Board Volume | Volume/Weight |
| 5’9” | 72 kg (160lbs) | 24 liters | 6.6lbs/L |
| 5’10” | 75 kg (165lbs) | 26.3 liters | 6.3lbs/L |
| 6’0” | 81 kg (180lbs) | 29.2 liters | 6.2lbs/L |
| 6’1” | 81kg (180lbs) | 33.0liters | 5.6lbs/L |
Size
Another key point, your height, and weight are the major determinants of how much volume you will need for your surfboard. As a beginner, you need a longer, wider, and thicker surfboard since it offers extra floatation and stability. However, your height and weight will determine the volume of surfboard you should go for. For instance, if you are tall and heavier, you will need a slightly bigger board than a short and light surfer. Liquid Shredder makes the best longboards surfboards for these big surfers. The following chart will guide you when purchasing your first surfboard.
Longboard Size/Weight Chart
| Body Weight (Kg.) | Board Size |
| 45- 63 (99-139lbs) | 9’2- 9’4” |
| 63- 72 (140-160lbs) | 9’4- 9’6” |
| 72- 81 (160-179lbs) | 9’6- 9’8’ |
| 81- 90 (179-199lbs) | 9’8- 10” |
| >90 (199+) | >10’0” |
Fish Board
| Body Weight (Kg.) | Board Size |
| 45- 63 (99-139lbs) | 6’1- 6’4” |
| 63- 72 (140-160lbs) | 6’3- 6’8” |
| 72- 81 (160-179lbs) | 6’5- 6’10” |
| 81- 90 (179-199lbs) | 6’9- 7’4” |
| >90 (199+) | >7’8” |
Malibu
| Body Weight (Kg.) | Board Size |
| 45- 63 (99-139lbs) | 7’2- 7’4” |
| 63- 72 (140-160lbs) | 7’4- 7’6” |
| 72- 81 (160-179lbs) | 7’6- 7’8” |
| 81- 90 (179-199lbs) | 7’8” |
| >90 (199+) | >7’8” |
Fitness and Balance Skill Level
Also consider, your level of fitness matters a lot when choosing your surfing board even at advanced levels. If you are not particularly fit, consider choosing a high 
volume surfing board to help maximize the number of waves you need to catch surf. A high volume board also helps lengthen the surfing sessions.
Surf Conditions
Most importantly, the wave is the engine of your surfboard. You can compare it to an airplane engine. A plane with a weak engine cannot reach takeoff speed as quickly as the same one with a more powerful motor. Too weak and it may hit the trees at the end of the runway before it ever takes off. To solve this “low Power” issue you can lighten the load, increase wing surface, and add more horsepower. On a beach, you cannot dial in more horsepower or lose 20 lbs. You’re stuck with what you’ve got. So, more wing (longer wider surfboard) is the key to success in low powered waves. It’s a fact, longboard surfboards are always easier to learn to surf on.
Surfboard Construction
Clearly, the best choice for a beginner is a Soft Surfboard and longboard surfboards are the first choice of most surf schools. These surfboards are generally designed for use in training and surf camps. As such they are wider and have more volume. The softer construction pays off in two ways. First, you’re not as likely to damage the surfboard transporting it as the material is more durable to bumps and bangs. Fiberglass & Epoxy are easier to damage and repairs require skills that most beginners don’t have. Second, if a glass or epoxy board hits you, it’s like a brick. It is going to hurt. Softboards are like the padded dash of your car. They’re made to absorb some of the shocks of impact with the human body. Information on the best types of surfboards.
Although, not as crucial as volume and size, each surfboard construction material offers certain characteristics that determine your surfing experience. When considering this feature, you can choose from the following material:
- Fiberglass– this is the most common type of surfboard. It has the advantages that it’s easy to repair should it break in the future. Most people prefer it due to its traditional gloss and matt finish.
- Epoxy surfboard– generally, boards made from this material are lighter and durable enough to overcome everyday dents. Their lightweight nature makes them suitable for kids and women.
- Soft Top Surfboards– The beginner surfboard buyers guide shows these are the most suitable for beginners since they are affordable and safer. They have soft and rounded fins which minimize the chances of cutting yourself when surfing.
Conclusions:
Finally, the beginner surfboard buyers guide helps you buy beginner surfboards and find out that the best surfboards for beginners are soft boards. It is easier to learn on longboard surfboards soft surfboards as a board that is too small simply won’t work.
For More Beginner Surfboard Buyers Guide information:
Web Link: Liquid Shredder Beginner Surfboards
E-mail Link: info@liquidshredder.com