When it comes to finding perfect surfboard, you must think about your height, weight, and skills first. Most people don’t know which type of board is suitable for their performance level. Luckily for you, this article is ready to guide you in choosing the right surfboard.
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What Surfboard Size Should I Get?
If you want to know which board is suitable for you, the essential thing to consider is his weight. This number will serve as your guide to find the ideal surfboard size. Nowadays, most brands show the size information of their boards through websites. Some of them also offer accurate calculators to help surfers determine the right size of board for a certain weight.
Here’s an expert guide:
| Type of Surfboard | Newbie | Intermediate | ||
| Weight (kg) | Board Size | Weight | Board Size | |
| Shortboard | 45 – 63 | 6’ 2” – 6’ 4” | 45 – 63 | 6’ 0” – 6’ 4” |
| 63 – 72 | 6’ 4” – 6’ 8” | 63 – 72 | 6’ 2” – 6’ 6” | |
| 72 – 81 | 6’ 6” – 6’ 10” | 72 – 81 | 6’ 4” – 6’ 8” | |
| 81 – 90 | 6’ 10” – 7’ 4” | 81 – 90 | 6’ 8” – 7’ 2” | |
| > 90 | > 7’ 4” | > 90 | 7’ 2” | |
| Fish | 45 – 63 | 6’ 1” – 6’ 4” | 45 – 63 | 5’ 10” – 6’ 2” |
| 63 – 72 | 6’ 3” – 6’ 8” | 63 – 72 | 5 – 10” – 6’ 2” | |
| 72 – 81 | 6’ 5” – 6’ 10” | 72 – 81 | 6’ 4” – 6’ 7” | |
| 81 – 90 | 6’ 9” – 7’ 4” | 81 – 90 | 6’ 8” – 7’ 2” | |
| > 90 | > 7’ 8” | > 90 | 7’ 6” – 8’ | |
| Funboard / Malibu Evolution | 45 – 63 | 7’ 2” – 7’ 4” | 45 – 63 | 7’ 0” – 7’ 2” |
| 63 – 72 | 7’ 4” – 7’ 6” | 63 – 72 | 7’ 2” – 7’ 4” | |
| 72 – 81 | 7’ 6” – 7’ 8” | 72 – 81 | 7’ 6” | |
| 81 – 90 | 7’ 8” | 81 – 90 | 7’ 7” | |
| > 90 | > 7’ 8” | > 90 | 7’ 8” | |
| Longboard | 45 – 63 | 9’ 2” – 9’ 4” | 45 – 63 | 9’ 0” – 9’ 2” |
| 63 – 72 | 9’ 4” – 9’6” | 63 – 72 | 9’ 0” – 9’ 2” | |
| 72 – 81 | 9’6 – 9’8 | 72 – 81 | 9’ 4” – 9’ 6” | |
| 81 – 90 | 9’ 8” – 10’ | 81 – 90 | 9’ 4” – 9’ 6” | |
| > 90 | > 10’ | > 90 | 10’ | |
| SUP
(Stand Up Paddle Boards)
|
45 – 63 | 10’ 0” – 10’ 8” | 45 – 63 | 10’ 0” – 10’ 6” |
| 63 – 72 | 10’ 0” – 10’ 8” | 63 – 72 | 10’ 0” – 10’ 6” | |
| 72 – 81 | 11’ 3” – 12” | 72 – 81 | 11’ 0” – 11’ 6” | |
| 81 – 90 | 11’ 8” – 12” | 82 – 90 | 11’ 0” – 11’ 6” | |
| > 90 | 11’ 11” – 12” | > 90 | 11’ 11” – 12” |
The table above only discussed weight, so some people might ask about the height. Surfboards must be at least three feet taller than the user’s height. However, experts do not suggest people rely on height but instead on weight. Therefore, the table above is the best option.
If you have chosen a smaller board, there is a massive tendency of a slow, weak, and ugly performance. Too small surfboards will also catch waves later, make the surfer look terrible, and paddle slower.
What Are the Types of Surfboards?
Shortboards
Shortboards are suitable for surfers who are ready to progress from fish-style boards or funboards. Surfers must be confident in paddling, popping up, catching waves, and maneuvering. If a surfer wants to experience new surfing activities, using a shortboard is an excellent way to do so. This board is lighter, smaller, and floats less compared to longboard. Additionally, it also contains less foam. Therefore, surfers can find it easier to push during big and powerful waves.
A surfer can proceed using a shortboard if he mastered doing the following:
- can catch small and big waves anytime
- can stay on the wave during high pressure
- can easily generate speed
- can use the fish-style and fun boards professionally
Here are the advantages of using a shortboard:
- Creates significant improvements in overcoming big waves
- Allows a surfer to learn unique style and techniques
- Quickly improve maneuvering, paddling, and popping up
Fish-style Boards
Fish-style boards are ideal for people who came from using longboards. It can help the surfer to adjust carefully with a different board shape and size before going straight to shortboards. When a surfer chose fish-style boards, he can practice maneuvering and turning smoothly compared to using some other board types. It can also help the surfer o master his stability in water.
A surfer can proceed using fish-style boards if he mastered doing the following:
- Popping ups
- Paddling
- Catching waves
- Turning left and right
- Using soft-top longboards
Funboards
A funboard is more like a hybrid that came from a shortboard and a longboard. Surfers can use this after mastering the longboard. This board is a pretty good option, especially for people who do not want to jump directly to fish-style boards. It is popular among newbies since it is easier to paddle, and it can improve a surfer’s skills in maneuvering, controlling, and paddling.
If a surfer wants to get away from a soft-top board and proceed to a higher level, they usually choose funboards. It works impressively with small waves.
Most people do not know the difference between a funboard and a fish-style board. They must visit some surf shops to compare the two.
For newbies, funboards are highly recommended compared to fish-style boards.
Longboards
Longboards are ideal for newbies since it can provide extra floatation and stability in the water. It is also more comfortable and faster to paddle. Longboards with the soft top are also recommended to newbies since it is safer to use, and when it hits the user, there is a lower chance of injury.
However, longboards are not intended for newbie-use only. It can also be fun to use during those higher surfing skills. It is ideal to use while recovering from an injury or after a long break in surfing.
SUP (Stand-Up Paddle Boards)
Using paddleboards in surfing has become popular among water sports enthusiasts. They discovered that this board type is versatile enough to use in a variety of water activities. From paddling to yoga to surfing – the stand-up paddleboard can be used on the beach, river, or lake.
Before proceeding with SUP boards, make sure to pay attention to the quality. The materials must be lightweight and durable, so it will not hinder the surfer during his performance. Its robust body must be able to navigate through small and big waves, too.
What Are the Best Surfboards for Kids?
Softboards
A soft board, also known as a foam board, is a platform used by kids and newbies in surfing. It is very safe and fun to use during surf training. Sizes of a soft board range from six up to eight feet. A 6-feet soft board is suitable for 37 up to 40 liters (volume), while an 8-feet soft board is suitable for 55 up to 61 liters.
Softboards allow kids to enjoy the beach during their summer vacation. They can float around the small waves and learn the basic techniques without getting injuries.
Mini Mal Surfboards
A Mini Mal surfboard, also known as the mini Malibu, is the best board to learn to paddle and catching waves. There are several types of Mini Mal, including the soft top, the pop out, and the epoxy.
The soft top is the most common type of Mini Mal that surf schools offer. Its fins are flexible enough, which makes it the best choice for newbies and kids.
The pop-out can help newbies to bring out more performance compared to using a soft top. This board type is harder, more massive, and sturdier than a soft top.
The epoxy is ideal for surfers who want to develop their skills after mastering the pop out. In terms of physical appearance, the epoxy boards are almost similar to pop-outs. It is only a lighter version, which makes it easier to use.
Kids who weight 30 kilograms and below can use 5′ 5″ up to 5′ 8″ soft board and minimal surfboard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: When can I use the fish-style board?
Q: Which board type should I pick?
Related Resources
- Removing Wax from Surfboard
- Repairing a Surfboard
- How to Stand Up on a Surfboard
- How to Wax a Surfboard
- Epoxy vs Fiberglass Surfboards
Torsten Bjord is a talented and adventurous waterman from Western Australia, passionate about surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, hydrofoiling, skimboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. Torsten has spent countless hours mastering his skills and his dream is to one day represent Australia as an Olympic athlete.
