Choosing the right surfboard is essential for maximizing your performance and enjoyment in the water. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer, understanding how different surfboards impact your surfing experience can help you make the right decision. This guide will cover key factors such as skill level, fitness, body size, and wave conditions to help you select the perfect board.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Surfboard

Your Skill Level

Your experience level plays a major role in determining the type of surfboard that will suit you best:

• Beginner: If you’re just starting, choose a longboard or a soft-top surfboard for stability and ease of paddling.

• Intermediate: At this stage, transitioning to a fun shape, fish, or hybrid board can help improve maneuverability.

• Advanced: Experienced surfers typically opt for performance shortboards, step-up boards, or guns, depending on wave conditions.

Best Beginner Surfboard Recommendations:

• Longboard (8-9 ft) – Great for easy paddling and stability.

• Soft-top Surfboard – Safer and more forgiving for first-time surfers.

• Fun boards (7-8 ft) – A versatile board for learning turns and progressing.

For advanced surfers, consider a performance shortboard with the right volume and rocker to match your skills.

Your Fitness Level

Your endurance and paddling strength affect the surfboard you should choose:

• Higher fitness levels allow you to use lower-volume, high-performance boards.

• Lower endurance means you may benefit from a board with more volume for easier paddling.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re feeling out of shape, opt for a board with extra buoyancy to extend your sessions without getting fatigued too quickly.

Your Height & Weight

Your body size directly impacts the ideal surfboard volume you need:

• Taller surfers typically require longer boards.

• Heavier surfers should opt for more volume for increased floatation.

• Smaller surfers can go for shorter boards for better maneuverability.

Spunky's Surf Shop Volume Calculator

This volume chart is a general recommendation, not a strict rule. There are many factors that influence your ideal board—your size, age, skill level, how often you surf, and what you want to get out of it. Are you looking to cruise, progress, or just have fun?

At Spunky’s Surf Shop, we know every surfer is different. That’s why we’re here to help you find the perfect board for your style and ability. With over 30 years of experience and countless boards under our belt, we’re looking out for your best ride. Trust the process, trust your instincts, and most importantly—trust your Surf Shop.

Need help choosing the right board? Stop by Spunky’s or reach out—we’ve got you covered!

Weight (KG/LBS)	Advanced	Advan / Inter	Intermediate	Inter / Beg	Beginner
36.36 KG | 80 LBS	16.0 Liters	16.8 Liters	20.0 Liters	24.0 Liters	32.0 Liters
38.64 KG | 85 LBS	16.61Liters	17.44 Liters	20.77 Liters	24.92 Liters	33.23 Liters
40.00 KG | 90 LBS	17.18 Liters	18.04 Liters	21.48 Liters	25.77 Liters	34.36 Liters
43.18 KG | 95 LBS	17.7 Liters	18.59 Liters	22.13 Liters	26.56 Liters	35.41 Liters
45.45 KG | 100 LBS	19.09 Liters	20.05 Liters	23.86 Liters	28.64 Liters	38.18 Liters
47.73 KG | 105 LBS	19.09 Liters	20.05 Liters	23.86 Liters	28.64 Liters	38.18 Liters
50.00 KG | 110 LBS	19.5 Liters	20.48 Liters	24.38 Liters	29.25 Liters	39.0 Liters
52.27 KG | 115 LBS	20.39 Liters	21.41 Liters	25.48 Liters	30.58 Liters	40.77 Liters
54.55 KG | 120 LBS	20.73 Liters	21.76 Liters	25.91 Liters	31.09 Liters	41.45 Liters
56.82 KG | 125 LBS	21.02 Liters	22.07 Liters	26.28 Liters	31.53 Liters	42.05 Liters
59.09 KG | 130 LBS	21.27 Liters	22.34 Liters	26.59 Liters	31.91 Liters	42.55 Liters
61.36 KG | 135 LBS	22.09 Liters	23.2 Liters	27.61 Liters	33.14 Liters	44.18 Liters
63.64 KG | 140 LBS	22.27 Liters	23.39 Liters	27.84 Liters	33.41 Liters	44.55 Liters
65.91 KG | 145 LBS	23.07 Liters	24.22 Liters	28.84 Liters	34.6 Liters	46.14 Liters
68.18 KG | 150 LBS	23.86 Liters	25.06 Liters	29.83 Liters	35.8 Liters	47.73 Liters
70.45 KG | 155 LBS	24.66 Liters	25.89 Liters	30.82 Liters	36.99 Liters	49.32 Liters
72.73 KG | 160 LBS	25.45 Liters	26.73 Liters	31.82 Liters	38.18 Liters	50.91 Liters
75.00 KG | 165 LBS	26.25 Liters	27.56 Liters	32.81 Liters	39.38 Liters	52.5 Liters
77.27 KG | 170 LBS	27.05 Liters	28.4 Liters	33.81 Liters	40.57 Liters	54.09 Liters
79.55 KG | 175 LBS	27.84 Liters	29.23 Liters	34.8 Liters	41.76 Liters	55.68 Liters
81.82 KG | 180 LBS	28.64 Liters	30.07 Liters	35.8 Liters	42.95 Liters	57.27 Liters
84.09 KG | 185 LBS	29.43 Liters	30.9 Liters	36.79 Liters	44.15 Liters	58.86 Liters
86.36 KG | 190 LBS	30.23 Liters	31.74 Liters	37.78 Liters	45.34 Liters	60.45 Liters
88.64 KG | 195 LBS	31.02 Liters	32.57 Liters	38.78 Liters	46.53 Liters	62.05 Liters
90.91 KG | 200 LBS	31.82 Liters	33.41 Liters	39.77 Liters	47.73 Liters	63.64 Liters
93.18 KG | 205 LBS	32.61 Liters	34.24 Liters	40.77 Liters	48.92 Liters	65.23 Liters
95.45 KG | 210 LBS	33.41 Liters	35.08 Liters	41.76 Liters	50.11 Liters	66.82 Liters
97.73 KG | 215 LBS	34.2 Liters	35.91 Liters	42.76 Liters	51.31 Liters	68.41 Liters
100.00 KG | 220 LBS	36.0 Liters	37.8 Liters	45.0 Liters	54.0 Liters	72.0 Liters
102.27 KG | 225 LBS	36.82 Liters	38.66 Liters	46.02 Liters	55.23 Liters	73.64 Liters
104.55 KG | 230 LBS	38.68 Liters	40.62 Liters	48.35 Liters	58.02 Liters	77.36 Liters
106.82 KG | 235 LBS	39.52 Liters	41.5 Liters	49.4 Liters	59.28 Liters	79.05 Liters
109.09 KG | 240 LBS	41.45 Liters	43.53 Liters	51.82 Liters	62.18 Liters	82.91 Liters

Wave Conditions & Board Selection

The type of waves you surf determines the best board shape:

• Small, mushy waves → Longboards, funboards, fish boards (more volume, easier paddling).

• Medium, everyday waves → Hybrid shortboards, funboards (versatile options for most conditions).

• Steep, barreling waves → Performance shortboards and step-ups (for speed and control).

📌 Example: If you often surf 2-4 ft beach breaks, a fish or hybrid shortboard will help you generate speed on weaker waves.

Types of Surfboards & Their Best Uses

Longboards (8-10 ft)

• Best for: Beginners, small waves, nose riding.

• Pros: Stable, easy to paddle, ideal for learning.

• Cons: Less maneuverability, harder to duck dive.

Fun boards  (7-8 ft)

• Best for: Progressing surfers, medium waves.

• Pros: Good balance of stability and maneuverability.

• Cons: Not as high-performance as shortboards.

Fish Surfboards (5'5"-6'5")

• Best for: Small to medium waves, speed generation.

• Pros: Easy to paddle, fun in weak waves.

• Cons: Less control in steep waves.

Performance Shortboards (5'8"-6'4")

• Best for: Advanced surfers, steep, fast waves.

• Pros: High maneuverability, fast turns.

• Cons: Harder to paddle, requires skill.

Step-Up Boards (6'2"-7'2")

• Best for: Bigger waves, powerful surf.

• Pros: More control in critical conditions.

• Cons: Not ideal for small waves.

Gun Surfboards (7’0”+)

• Best for: Big wave surfing (overhead to XXL waves).

• Pros: Maximum stability and hold in large surf.

• Cons: Not for everyday use.

Selecting the right surfboard involves considering your skill level, fitness, weight, and the waves you surf most often. By understanding the different board types and their characteristics, you can make an informed decision that will enhance your surfing experience.

Quick Recap:

✅ Beginners → Start with a longboard or soft-top.
✅ Intermediates → Progress to a funboard, fish, or hybrid.
✅ Advanced → Choose a performance shortboard or step-up for optimal performance.