Surfboards for Beginners

three surfers paddle out into the lineup towards a wave
1 November 2019
Surfboards for Beginners

We’ve all seen the incredible photos of a professional surfer catching a huge wave, making it look easy. However, we’ve all got to start somewhere: before hitting the waves, it’s essential to choose the right board to suit your style and level of experience.

At Two Bare Feet we have a range of surfboards, designed especially to help novices get to grips with the art of surfing.

Considerations for beginner surfers

Water conditions

Whilst your choice of board is important, you must also be aware of the conditions in the ocean. Wave height, wind speed and direction and potential currents should all be considered. We recommend you learn on smaller, calmer days sticking to the inside at first rather than attempting to paddle out beyond the breaking waves.

Unlike a SUP (stand up paddleboard), surfboards aren’t designed to be stood on when stationary—you need the force of a breaking wave to provide lift and flotation. However, thanks to the size of ours foamys, you needn’t worry about catching large waves to be able to stand. This is where greater surfboard volume is a beginner’s best friend…

foam surfboards in a rack at the beach

Surfboard volume

Newer surfers should start on a larger board. The larger the board, the more volume it has which provides extra stability to plane and allows for more effective paddling and wave catching.

Once you’re standing and surfing, you’ll find that the larger, thicker, more buoyant boards are also much more forgiving when it comes to foot placement and you’ll be able to ride weaker waves much more easily.

Both foamy and inflatable surfboards tend to be larger in volume, providing that helpful extra buoyancy.

Foam surfboards for beginners

Foam surfboards, also known as soft-top surfboards, are a great starting point for surfing newbies. Made with an EPS core and wrapped in foam, they offer a safe and fun surfing experience.

Softer than other types of surfboard

One of the primary benefits of foam surfboards is how soft they are. It goes without saying that beginners may fall off their boards a lot – by using a softer board, the risk of injury is minimised if the board happens to hit you.

Beginners may also be more likely to surf in busier areas, as this is safer. Whilst designated areas are marked out for surfers, having a foamy board will protect any other surfers or swimmers from potential harm if you lose control in the water.

Easier to catch more waves on a soft top

A foamy board will enable surfing novices to catch more waves, no matter the conditions. Having a significantly higher volume than hard surfboards, foamy boards tend to sit atop the waves instead of cutting through them.

A foamy board is also better suited to catching smaller waves, as it requires less energy to float. This means a rider does not have to rely on the power and momentum of the water itself – instead, buoyancy will help propel them forward.

beginners foam surfboard lying on the beach at sunset

Foamy surfboards are cost-effective

Soft-top surfboards tend to be available at a lower price than hard boards. This makes them a more approachable and realistic first purchase for a beginner who is not yet ready to commit to the activity.

As an inexperienced surfer, chances are your board will take a bit of a battering when you’re learning the ropes. Buying a cheaper first board will certainly seem like a good idea if it’s going to take a knock or two!

Don’t be fooled into thinking that a lower price just equates to lower quality. This isn’t the case at all – a high-grade soft-top board boasts quality to match that of premium hard-tops.

Foamy boards can perform in the right hands

It is widely agreed that foamy boards are not performance surfboards. However, this is not to say that you won’t continue to use your foamy once your skills have become more refined. As we mentioned above, soft tops enable you to surf on a wider variety of waves, so when your epoxy or fibreglass surfboard won’t cut it, you’ll find yourself reaching for your trusty foamy.

two bare feet soft surfboards

Advantages of an inflatable surfboard

We’ve already established that beginners should look for a board with more volume: this will provide much needed stability and buoyancy in the water. The beauty of an inflatable surfboard is that it offers greater volume than a hard surfboard, but without the additional weight.

High portability

If you’re a beginner looking for casual surfing opportunities, carrying a heavy, cumbersome board around with you could detract from the experience you’re seeking. Luckily, an inflatable surfboard – when deflated – is impressively compact and easy to transport. Just dry it off, roll it up and you’re done. Compare that with the struggle of strapping a hard board to the roof rack of your car or attempting to squeeze it inside with the seats down!

Tough and durable

Constructed from high-grade PVC and re-enforced with a laminate layer, a good quality inflatable surfboard is reassuringly rigid and sturdy. These boards are built to last; using a drop-stitch exterior, similar to inflatable paddleboards, they can be inflated rapidly to a relatively high pressure – ensuring that the board is not only stable in the water, but will definitely survive the knocks and stresses that can be expected with such an activity.

Budget friendly

Like foamy surfboards, inflatable boards are light on the wallet – despite being composed from high quality materials. This allows beginners to try their hand at surfing without committing to a prohibitively expensive investment.

Fun for the more advanced surfer

Although designed to aid beginners, inflatable boards can also provide experienced surfers with endless fun. Like foamy boards, inflatables are very buoyant. This allows the rider to focus a little less on technique, and a little more on just relaxing and having fun!

At Two Bare Feet, all our foamy and inflatable surfboards are designed with premium materials and practicality in mind. Beginners get to practise their surfing techniques safely and effectively, while more seasoned surfers find their experience on the surf changed up in a way that they can enjoy – minus the hassle of awkward transportation.

Feeling confused about which board is for you? Get in touch with a member of our team – we’d be delighted to help you find your perfect ride!