The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Beginner Surfboard

If you’re just starting your surfing journey, choosing the right beginner surfboard is crucial for building confidence and catching more waves. At Spunky’s Surf Shop, we want to make it easy for you to find the perfect board that fits your skill level and helps you progress. Whether you’re looking for a foamie or a hard-top fiberglass surfboard, we’ve got you covered!

What Makes a Good Beginner Surfboard?

A beginner-friendly surfboard should be:

✔ Stable – A wider and longer board provides better balance.
✔ Buoyant – More volume helps you paddle and catch waves easily.
✔ Durable – Foam and soft-top surfboards are more forgiving and less prone to dings.
✔ Easy to Paddle – More buoyancy means less effort paddling into waves.

Best Beginner Surfboards at Spunky’s Surf Shop

Foam Surfboards – The Perfect Start

Best for: Complete beginners

Why? Foam surfboards (aka “foamies”) are soft, stable, and user-friendly, making them ideal for learning.

Recommended Board: Wave Bandit - Ben Gravy - Easy Rider Soft Top Longboard (7’, 8’, 9’)

• • Volume: 86L (8’)

  • Thruster or single fin setup

  • Soft PE deck with a slick plastic bottom

  • Ideal for safety and easy learning

📌 Why Choose a Foamie?

• Soft material reduces injury risk.

• High buoyancy for easy paddling.

• Stable and forgiving, even on small waves.

Hard-Top Fiberglass Boards – The Next Level

• Best for: Intermediate beginners ready to advance.

• Why? Hard-top boards offer more performance but require more skill.

• Recommended Board: Torq Longboard (8’ - 9’6”)

  • TET epoxy sandwich construction

  • 60L volume (8’) for better paddling

  • Futures fin system for versatility

📌 Why Choose a Hard-Top Board?

• Higher performance for turning and speed.

• Long-lasting with proper care.

• Great for surfers transitioning to more advanced levels.

How to Choose the Right Size?

Check out our in-depth overview on choosing the right board for you! This guide will cover key factors such as skill level, fitness, body size, and wave conditions to help you select the perfect board. Bellow is a simple graph showing 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?

Your Height/Weight	Recommended Board Length
Under 5’5” / 140 lbs	7’ - 8’
5’6” - 6’0” / 140 - 180 lbs	8’ - 9’
Over 6’0” / 180+ lbs	9’ - 9’6”
Over 6’0” / 230+ lbs	9'6" - 10'0"

What Volume do I need?

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

FAQs About Beginner Surfboards

🔹 Is a foam surfboard good for beginners?

Yes! Foam surfboards are the best choice for new surfers because they provide maximum stability, safety, and ease of paddling.

🔹 Should I get a soft-top or fiberglass board? If you’re new, start with a foam or soft-top epoxy board.

Fiberglass boards are better for those comfortable with standing and turning. We always recommend a hard-top board for those serious about surfing! Our personal favorite beginner line of boards is the Torq TET series. We use them for rentals and beginners! They are built to last. 

🔹 What size surfboard should I start with?

An 8’ - 9’ board is best for most beginners. The longer the board, the easier it is to paddle and balance.

🔹 How much should I spend on a beginner surfboard?

Beginner foamies start around $300 - $400, while soft-top epoxy and fiberglass boards range from $500 - $700+. Investing in a durable board ensures longevity as you improve.

Get the Right Gear at Spunky’s Surf Shop!

At Spunky’s Surf Shop, we stock the best beginner surfboards alongside essential surf gear like leashes, traction pads, and wetsuits to ensure you’re ready to hit the waves. Our knowledgeable staff is here to help you find the perfect board for your skill level and local surf conditions.

👉 Check out our collection of beginner surfboards here! 

🏄‍♂️ Start your surfing journey today with Spunky’s Surf Shop – Your local surf experts!