What Size Surfboard Should I Get
Catching the perfect wave would be the cherry on top of this epic daydream, so why would you risk losing it all by using the wrong surfboard?
With so much information out there regarding what size surfboard you should choose depending on your skill level and the climates your surf in, it can quite overwhelming.
Keep on reading while we break down something you can control: which surfboard to buy and why you should do it.
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How To Choose Your Surfboard Size
There are plenty of criteria we could look at to decide which surf board is right for you, but instead of exhausting you with a list, we'll start by looking at your ability level.
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#1 Pick - SBBC Verve 8’
Help! I'm New To This
Well, "beginner" may be a better term. If you're truly new (as in "I've never even tried to surf") then you should stop reading this immediately and go get your feet wet! The rest of you still with us? Alrighty then, here we go!
In general, without delving into person to person specifics or other various factors, I would recommend starting off with a long board.
While many people have deemed longboards to be "unhip," unfairly so in my opinion, their ease of use and stability makes them reliable beasts that can handle a variety of surf with ease.
They're rather buoyant and easy to paddle, as well as control while you're up on top. You'll have far more fun absolutely crushing the waves on your "lame" old longboard than you would suffering wipeout after wipeout on that fancy new shorty.
Because of their reduced maneuverability, longboards are good for anyone that regularly attacks surf in the knee to chest high range. In other words, they're perfect for those long rides where you just want to stay up, no need to worry about carving and cutting or escaping the barrel.
The best part about long boards is that they make catching waves easy. Learning to surf is impossible if you can't get your wave count up. Getting a longboard as your beginner surfboard is the best way to increase your skill level when it comes to surfing.
If you're worried about getting a board that can float you regardless of weight, a longboard is still the best size surfboard to learn on. Any length from 8' - 10' depending on your weight will be ideal for any beginner surfer.
I've Ridden A Couple of Waves
Maybe you've gotten pretty pretty good at standing up and are looking for the next step in your wave riding evolution. You want something that helps your surfing look and feel like what you've seen other people do. The next step would be looking for a board that allows you to turn on the wave. It's time to open up a whole new way of surfing with a mid length board.
Mid lengths are slightly shorter than your standard longboard. Think somewhere around the 7' to 7'6" range. With plenty of volume mid lengths are great for the surfer moving from beginner to intermediate since they still have great paddle power and stability. But they are also better suited for carving on wave faces which is exactly what you want if you are an intermediate surfer.
Many mid length surfboards have a shape that is more similar to a longboard. The ideal mid length board shouldn't just look like an oversized shortboard. Instead, look for a board that has a more round outline. Sometimes, these shapes are called eggs because of their oval shape. This shape helps any surfer, but especially the intermediate surfer, turn easily, go fast, and paddle into any wave.
I'm Well On My Way To Ripping
If you're starting to catch waves that are a little steeper and quicker and feel like a longboard or mid length surfboard can't handle the steepness, it might be time to graduate to a true shortboard.
The shortboard is typically somewhere in the 6' range and definitely only recommended for intermediate to advanced surfers.
Shortboards are meant for one thing only: performance surfing on the wave face.
They aren't made to help you paddle nor to be extra stable for you.
The length is short. The width thin. But if you are more experienced, you will find that this type of board allows for radical turns on the wave face.
So if you find that you have no problem catching waves and feel like your longer surfboard doesn't turn how you want, a short board may be the right board for you. Fair warning, without surfing experience, shortboards aren't very much fun. These are not boards you want to learn how to surfing on.
But I've Seen Other Board Lengths
The Groveler
A groveler is surfboard that is typically shorter and wider than your average shortboard.
The design of these boards is meant for surfing in small, subpar conditions.
They go in waves that are smaller and have less juice like most summer, beach break waves.
With more width, the groveler hides more volume to give you some extra paddle power.
Since these kinds of boards are shorter, they are easy to maneuver or turn in the pocket of the wave. They let you rip, even when the surf is nowhere close to firing.
One thing about grovelers is that, like the shortboard, the design is meant for intermediate to advanced surfers. Just because they have more width and volume, the short length can make them tricky to ride.
The Step Up
This type of board is often built longer, skinnier, and thicker than your average shortboard. It's also typically a pin tail. Don't be fooled when it comes to step ups. These boards are not meant for beginners even though they are longer. The extra volume is meant for bigger waves.
When the surf steps up in size, you need a bigger board. That is where the step up surfboard shines. If you want to surf waves well overhead this board size might be perfect for you.
In regular or average surf, you may find that the extra length of a step up makes it harder to ride. But when the surf gets good to epic, you'll be abel to catch what might end up being the ride of your life.
What If I'm Smaller or Larger Than the Average Surfer?
Weight doesn't always affect the length of surfboard you should get. Instead, look to get a board with slightly more width and volume if you're on the larger side or less if you are on the smaller side. But typically, a shorter board is better for a lighter person and a longer board is better for a heavier individual.
If you're still worried, these board sizes are more of ranges. The best board for you might be on the long end or shorter end of the range.
In Summary
If nothing else, remember that the longer the board and the more volume in a board the easier it will be to paddle and catch waves. So, if you're just getting started, we recommend that you look to get a longboard as it will help you increase your wave count which will increase your skill level.
As you get better at riding waves, you can gradually get a shorter and shorter surfboard as you find what size board you like. With more experience, you can experiment more with surfboard design until you find a board type that you'll love.
Whatever length board you choose, you can be sure that you'll get the right size if follow our guidelines and remember if you're just starting out, get a longboard.
