We know there's a lot of questions when you're looking to purchase your first surfboard. Below are some guidelines to get you started in the right direction.
If you're new to surfing make sure to check out the other surf-related sections on our site.
Stop by today and check out our great selection of NEW and USED boards!
SaturdaySeptember04 ,2010
BUY USED
If you’re new to surfing you’ll find out that a $500 board will ding just as easily as a $150 used board. When you start out, remember it’s not about having the mint condition board. Minor discolorations and pressure dings are bound to be on many used boards, but large dings and cracks are not acceptable.
At FreeRide we have a ton of used boards that are very inexpensive. Our customers frequently trade in boards they no longer use so the selection always changes. If you’ve surfed a few times and end up falling in love with one of our new boards go for it! Our prices are always cheaper than the beach.
SIZE MATTERS
Sure, you might see all the pros charging waves on small, thin shaped boards. You’re not a pro yet so you’ll need to find a board that will deliver the right flotation in order for you to paddle easier.
I know the short boards might look cool, but you won’t look cool if you don’t catch any waves. By choosing a board with the proper height and thickness you will find yourself learning faster and having a lot more fun in the water. You want a board that’s stable and won’t tip over.
A good rule of thumb for beginners is to choose a board around 21-22” wide, at least 2-3” thick and about 6’10”-7’8” or longer. At the least, make sure the board is a foot over your head. If you end up choosing a board any shorter make sure to keep the width in order to keep the right flotation. Some prefer their board a tad shorter simply because they’re easier to carry and are much easier to maneuver once you’re on the wave.
Fun shape boards are a great blend between a long board and a short board. Fun boards will typically range around 22” wide, 2.5-3.5” thick and anywhere from around 6’6”- 8’. The rounded nose on a fun shape will help you catch more waves and avoid taking a nose dive when you take off. The extra surface area at the front allows for additional foam which provides more bouyancy.
Whether it’s your first time out or you’ve been surfing for years, stop by our shop so we can find the right board for you!
Fiberglass boards are the most common and the best all around material out there. Fiberglass is a hard yet delicate material at the same time. Turn the wrong way with your board and you might end up putting a big hole or ding in the side if you hit something. Fiberglass is well received because of its light weight and it delivers a good blend of float and flex. If you’re new or just accident prone, make sure you choose a board with a fiber glass coating thick enough to handle your destruction.
Epoxy boards are slowing working their way into the mainstream. These boards are extremely tough which makes them harder to ding. Unlike like most fiberglass boards which are hand-shaped, epoxy boards are machine made. As far as comparing fiberglass with epoxy it’s a tough decision. While beginning surfers might like the buoyancy and toughness, experienced surfers tend not to like how epoxy boards float and react differently. The extremely lightweight epoxy boards tend not to perform as well in choppier conditions.
Foam boards were created with safety in mind and not too much else. These boards tend to weigh much more and most times, cost nearly the same as a fiberglass board. Good thing is that foam boards will last a long time and you really can’t ding a foam board, yourself or other surfers in the process. You’ll most likely upgrade to a fiberglass or epoxy board anyway once you get more experienced.
FINS & TAIL SHAPE
Most boards these days have 2-4 fins. The most common you’ll find is a 3-fin board which are the easiest to turn, but the truth is for the first few months you won’t be carving waves so don’t let this be a factor. Again, focus on the height and width.
