Selecting the ideal surfboard demands a difficult task between maximizing performance along with holding up well and staying at reasonable pricing. The surfers from all skill levels choose Softech Surfboards as their go-to option because of its outstanding reputation. People should evaluate whether Softech Surfboards live up to their marketing claims or exist only to create false expectations. The following comprehensive Softech Surfboards analysis reveals all necessary information that will help you reach an intelligent buying choice.
Foam surfboards gained popularity because they are fun and easy to ride. They are ideal for smaller waves. Most importantly, they are safer for beginners and kids to use than hard-top boards.
This is where Softech Surfboards put their focus on before creating the line for their high-performance series. They concentrated more on learner-friendly softboards.
Now that they have their High-Performance Series, they are still committed to offering a range of boards designed for first-time riders for that help with easy wave catching and basic surfing skills development.
Let’s take a rundown on Softech Surfboards and find out just why their name is making waves across the surfing scene.
Table of Contents
Softech Surfboards Review
Company Background
The mission that guided Softech Surfboards toward founding their company involved creating premium soft-top surfboards which serve all types of surfers between novices and veterans. Potential wave riders choose Softech Surfboards due to their combination of advanced design elements with durable components.
While Softech Surfboards are said to have been founded by Australian surfer Tom Carroll, all of their boards are designed, shaped, and made in the US using only the most highly-durable materials and with proven manufacturing methods.
They come in a wide variety of styles, each built to withstand the harshest and toughest conditions of the oceans.
Key Highlights:
- The company secured its position as the top provider of soft-top surfboard products.
- The company engages in professional collaborations through works with surfers Mason Ho and Filipe Toledo.
- The company aims to create boards which incorporate innovation while maintaining entertainment and practical efficiency.
Softech initiated operations through their mission to connect functional surfboard characteristics of fiberglass designs with foam board reliability. Their unique mix of products enables them to claim a specific market segment.
Product Line Overview
Product Line Overview
Softech manufactures surfboards which serve all types of riding abilities alongside multiple design types for specific surf styles.
Main Categories:
- Performance Series embodies traits that provide experienced surfers with instant board reactions.
- Original Series: Ideal for beginners and casual surfers.
- The Collaboration Series represents joint designs between Softech and professional surfers.
| Series | Best For | Key Features |
| Performance | Advanced surfers Responsive | Lightweight construction |
| Original | Beginner Stable | Forgiving design |
Original Series
Softech Softboards’ Original Learner Series is made to be buoyant, firm, and stable for the first time riders to easily catch and ride waves. This design helps them build the skills to start executing basic turns.
Roller
- Sizes: 6’0″, 6’6″, 7’0″, 7’6″, 8’0″, 8’4″
- Dimensions:
- 6’0″ x 21 1/4″ x 2 3/4″
- 6’6″ x 22 1/4″ x 3″
- 7’0″ x 22 1/4″ x 3 1/7″
- 7’6″ x 22 1/4″ x 3 1/7″
- 8’0″ x 24″ x 3 1/3″
- 8’4″ x 24″ x 3 1/2″
- Colors: Ice Yellow, Roller Blue, Smoke Green, Orange, Grey
- Fin Setup: Tri (x3 VFS Fin Setup) / Softflex Fins included
- Built in carry handle
- Integrated leash plug
Designed specifically for beginners, Roller/Handshaped comes in different sizes ranging from 6’ to 8’ and packed with loads of volume. They added the rocker on the nose to keep the dreaded nose dive that a lot of first-time riders fall victim to.
Considered a funboard, it has generous outlines aside from the loaded volume. These help in making these boards stable and very easy to ride. As with most of Softech Surfboards sticks, they feature 100% waterproof EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam core, double core stringer for strength and rigor.
One feature that you will truly appreciate about this stick is its integrated handhold in the deck. Learners find it helpful since it makes it much easier for them to carry it around and to the water.
Sally Fitzgibbons Signature
- Sizes: 6’0″, 6’6″, 7’0″
- Dimensions:
- 6’0″ x 21 1/4″ x 2 3/4″
- 6’6″ x 22 1/5″ x 3″
- 7’0″ x 22 1/4″ x 3 1/7″
- Colors: Pink
- Fin Setup: Tri (x3 Fin Setup) / Softflex Fins included
- Leash plug installed
Sally Fitzgibbons Signature is made particularly for girls and women who want to experience and rock it out on the waters. It includes a set of compatible fins and is extremely stable and easy to paddle.
This signature model is wide, stable, and easy to maneuver and paddle on making it the perfect board for beginner girl surfers. A learner-oriented board, it comes with the width and the volume that helps for easy wave catching.
Sally Fitzgibbons Signature surfboards have the high-level standard of Softech construction that features two wood stringers and waterproof EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) core, slick deck, and soft top foam. It features the same handle in the deck like Roller which is popular for learners as they can be easily carried around.
All three sizes of this board come with plug style soft fins. They can be ridden by kids, adult learners, and even more advanced surfers. It showcases some upturn in the nose to make sure it wouldn’t sink nose-first. Plus, the lift in the tail helps in twisting and turning.
Zeppelin
- Size: 7’0″ / 8’0″
- Dimensions:
- 7’0″ x 26 x 3
- 8’0″ x 26 x 3 3/4″
- Colors: Powder Blue, Apple Green
- Fin Setup: Tri (x3 ST Fin Setup) / Softflex Fins included
- Leash plug installed
Zeppelin is designed to be extra wide with a huge amount of volume. They are incredibly stable for first-time riders and learners while they gain confidence in riding small broken waves.
Known as the “Fat Boy” by surfers in the US and Europe, Zeppelin is a shorter and fatter mal shape that is perfect for beginners who need the extra volume to get the paddling power that most of the time are showcased by wider deck.
It helps with stability when the rider is getting up on their feet. The extra width also helps to accommodate heavy and bigger riders. Very easy to ride, it is one of the most buoyant and stable boards in the market today.
Performance Series
Softech believes that every aspiring surfer grows and they want to be there every step of the way. Instead of focusing only on creating surfboards for beginners, they came up with High-Performace series so that they will still have a board to offer as the surfer’s level of expertise progresses.
Softech High-Performance series is inspired by the most up-to-date fiberglass surfboard designs. It erases the fine line between crucial riding and simply having fun.
Filipe Toledo Wildfire
- Sizes: 5’3″ / 5’11”
- Dimensions:
- 5’3 x 19 x 2 5/8 x 32L
- 5’11 x 20 5/8 x 2 3/4 x 37L
- Colors: Neon, Granite
- Fin Setup: Thruster (x3 FCS II Fin Setup) / FCS II Softflex Fins included
- Leash plug installed
One of the best performance soft boards in the market today, Softech Surfboards’ Filipe Toledo Wildfire is a soft top that can really rip. Compatible with all FCS II fin styles for additional performance, it is the most refined and performance-oriented board in the lineup.
Suited for the intermediate to advanced surfer, Filipe Toledo Wildfire can make the most out of the slightly weaker waves. Its sealed epoxy core makes it lightweight but durable. The double composite stringers it features keep the board stiff and stable.
Filipe Toledo Wildfire has a diamond tail with flat rocker profile and volume in the front end – all combined to ensure that the board will effortlessly catch weaker waves while providing a high-level of performance.
Eric Geiselman Flash
- Sizes: 5’0″ / 5’7″ / 6’0″ / 6’6″
- Dimensions:
- 5’0″ x 20″ x 2 3/5″
- 5’7″ x 20 1/2″ x 2 2/3″
- 6’0″ x 21 1/4″ x 2 2/3″
- 6’6″ x 21 2/3″ x 2 2/3″
- Colors: White Marble, Grey Marble, Green Marble
- Fin Setup: Tri (x3 FCS II Fin Setup) / FCS II Softflex Fins included
- Leash plug installed
Eric Geiselman is one hidden gem in the world of surfing. The American professional surfer who at one of his rides had his surfboard snapped in half by what was thought as a great white shark is worthy to have a Softech surfboard under his signature.
Flash softboard motivates surfers who are kept in hard-top to transition. Its soft-top design has the feel of a hard-top board, especially underwater. This feel provides surfers with a more execution-centric ride. I
The different sizes it comes in are perfect for anyone who is looking for a shortboard surf performance. After all, it is a soft craft that actually does more than gain speed in mushy waves. Once the board is on fire, it goes to take it to the fly when presented with a kicker or drifting out a foam-tapped reverse.
Bomber
- Sizes: 5’10” / 6’4″ / 6’10”
- Dimensions:
- 5’10” x 20 1/2 x 3
- 6’4″ x 21 x 3
- 6’10” x 21 1/2 x 3
- Colors: Smoke, Green White
- Fin Setup: Tri (x3 FCS II Fin Setup) / FCS II Softflex Fins included
- Leash plug installed
Paddle incredibly well and glide with ease from a forward position while still slicing a nice carve off the tail, Bomber is one soft top bord that is an ultimate cruiser that flows down the line and turns on a dime.
The Bomber will surely appeal to anyone looking for something that is a little different for small or not so ideal water conditions but may not want to go on a standard longboard. They can also be for longboarder who wants to transition to the shorter board while still keeping a similar feel.
A solid fun board, it is something you can hop onto if you are looking for something in the hybrid mid-length/high-performance area. You can catch more than a few waves after paddling with ease and be able to mix it up in a variety of waves from tiny and sloppy waves to line up decent walls.
Pricing and Value for Money
The pricing of Softech Surfboards puts them at a level where many consumers can afford to purchase them.
Price Range:
- Entry-level boards: ~$200
- Performance models: ~$350 – $450
The durability together with performance characteristics of Softech boards create superior value for purchase costs which outstrip competitors.
Customers who purchase Softech boards will find their investment stretches longer as the products last better without requiring frequent repairs or replacements. This results in substantial cost savings.
Softech Surfboards indeed focused on learner-friendly surfboards but, with their High-Performance series, they showed off that they’re not just for kids. Now, they have a variety of boards that are fun to ride.
Customer Feedback and Reviews
Common Praises:
- High durability and quality construction
- Fun and versatile designs
- Good value for the price
Common Complaints:
- Some models are less beginner-friendly
- Premium models can be expensive
Users through customer reviews acknowledge Softech’s ability to provide boards which satisfy multiple surfing requirements but new surfers encounter difficulties using the performance-focused boards.
Tom Carroll – The First Surfing Millionaire
Born on November 26, 1961, Tom Carroll – the founder of Softech Surfboards is an Australian former professional surfer who hailed from Sydney. Under his belt are Australian Junior Title in 1978, Pro Juniors in 1977 and 1980, ASP World Tour in 1983 and 1984, and 1987 Pipe Masters.
He made it to the finals of the 1979 Pipe Masters as a rookie. In this world tour, he placed 24th. Year after year, he tried and tried his best and continued to ascend from 24th to 17th, then to 10th, and 3rd, until taking home the world title in 1983 where he won 6 out of 13 events.
It was in 1988 when he made history in the surfing scene not by surfing but by becoming the first surfer to lock a million-dollar contract with Quiksilver. Before finally retiring in 1993, he finished third in 1988 and 1991.
Overall, he took home 26 career world tour victories, 3 Pipe Masters wins, and two world titles. Prior to his retirement, he was inducted into the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame in 1990. He bagged Australia’s Surfing Life Peer Poll and in 1991 and 8 years after was instated into the Huntington Beach Surfing Hall of Fame. He ranks number 7 on Surfer Magazine’s list of “Greatest Surfers of All Time.”
At present, he and fellow Australian big wave surfer Ross Clarke-Jones travel the world to search for large swells for the Discovery Channel TV series Storm Surfers.
Conclusion
Softech Surfboards stand as reliable products which meet all their marketing claims regarding usability alongside entertainment value and prolonged lifespan. Every level of surfboarder from novices who need stability to experts wanting optimal performance will find their suitable Softech design.
Their surfboards are totally fun for surfers in the learning phase of their surfing up to the time they hit their biggest waves.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Should I wax my Softech Surfboard?
Q: How to insert and remove FCS II Fins?
Q: How to transition to fiberglass board from a soft-top board?
Q: Any pros and cons of soft-top boards?
Related Resources
Luke is an avid athlete and the driving force behind Surfhungry, a vibrant online platform dedicated to sharing the joy and passion of surfing and water sports with enthusiasts around the world. With a deep-rooted love for the ocean and a lifelong commitment to riding waves, Luke’s journey as a surfer has inspired him to create a community where like-minded individuals can come together to celebrate their shared passion.
