How to Choose a Surfboard
Lauren Collison October 9th, 2018 Posted In: How-To Tags: Surfing
Here’s How to Choose a Surfboard
An example of what a longboard looks like!
Learning how to surf takes a lot of work and can be a lot of fun if you have the right board. Most first-time surfers make the mistake of buying the first board they see or just worrying about the price of the board instead of finding out how to choose a surfboard to make their experience as enjoyable as it can possibly be. If you want to take up surfing, use the following guide to learn how to choose the right surfboard.
Avoid All Shortboards
Most people don’t know how to choose surfboard size when they decide they want to surf. Don’t make the common mistake of thinking that a short board will be easier to maneuver when you get into the water because it is shorter. You want to choose a longboard because it provides you with improved stability and gives you more surface area when you are trying to maintain your balance as you catch the waves.
Purchase a Soft Top Board
A soft top board is a surfboard made from foam construction and is often viewed as being the best surfboards for beginners because of how safe they are. It will cause less impact on your body if you fall and will cause less damage to someone if it gets away from you when you wipe out.
Choose a Thick Board
When surfing, you want to invest in a board that is at least two inches thick. This will provide you with optimal buoyancy, which will make it easier to catch a wave and hang on during the ride. Boards that are thinner, require more balance and often are more difficult to use until you get the hang of surfing.
When purchasing a board, don’t be afraid to purchase one that is in used condition. Used boards often cost a lot less than the ones that are brand new. Look for a board that doesn’t have a lot of gauges, chips, or cracks in it though. The gauges, chips, or cracks can make it difficult to surf because it could disrupt the stability of the board and could cause your foot or body to be injured when you fall or try to stand on the board.
