When starting out in surfing, you should generally choose a foam board designed for learning, with enough length, width and volume for your build. It should help you paddle, catch waves and stand up while your balance is still a little shaky. A short or highly technical board is more likely to limit the number of waves you surf.
Your first board should match what you can do today. Here is how to identify a beginner-friendly model, compare constructions and put together a suitable setup for your first sessions.
What makes a board suitable for learning?
At first, you are learning several movements at once: positioning yourself on the board, paddling at the right moment, standing up and keeping your balance. Forgiving equipment gives you more room to work on these movements.
A platform that makes balancing easier
Length, width and how they are distributed play an important role. A beginner board with a generous nose and a comfortable platform generally makes it easier to position yourself for paddling and attempt your first take-offs, meaning the transition from lying down to standing up.
A thin, narrow board may require more precise positioning. Before buying, check the model's recommended skill level and rider size guidelines.
Buoyancy and easy paddling
You need to be able to move around and catch waves without exhausting yourself straight away. Sufficient volume helps with buoyancy, but it needs to be paired with dimensions and a shape suited to learning.
So the right question is not just “how many litres?”. Also ask yourself whether the board's length and width suit your weight and experience.
A board that helps you practise take-offs
Your equipment should help you catch manageable waves and keep trying. A board chosen for its future performance could limit that practice if you struggle to paddle it or balance on it.
To compare board types and narrow down your intended use, check out our guide on how to choose a surfboard.
Foam board or hard board: which should you choose to get started?
A large softboard designed for learning is often the first option to explore. Its soft covering adds comfort and softens impacts. However, it doesn't make collisions or fins harmless: board control and suitable conditions remain essential.
| Equipment being considered | Benefits for a beginner | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Large softboard for learning | Forgiveness and a stable platform for your first takeoffs | Recommended rider size, dimensions, volume and included equipment |
| Accessible hard funboard or mini-malibu | Can suit a surfer who has already learned the basics | Actual paddling comfort, board control and an instructor's advice |
| Hard longboard | Glide and early takeoffs depending on the shape | Weight, bulk and ability to control a large board |
| Short fish or technical shortboard | A good option for some independent surfers | Generally too demanding for your first sessions |
Are all foam boards suitable for beginners?
No. “Softboard” describes a board with a soft outer covering, not a difficulty level. Some short models are designed for dynamic surfing and already require technical skills.
In our selection of softboards, first look for models designed for learning, then check that the dimensions suit your build. Looks and ease of transport shouldn't take priority over ease of use in the water.
Can you start surfing on a hard board?
It can be an option with a genuinely accessible model, in suitable conditions and with expert advice. But a first lesson on a large foam board doesn't mean a small hard board will be just as easy to ride.
If you've already caught unbroken waves and started holding a line, compare funboards and mini-malibus. Keep enough comfort to continue learning rather than making every takeoff an extra challenge.
How do you match your first board to your weight and skill level?
No two beginners necessarily need the same dimensions. Your weight, balance, endurance and recent experience should all be considered together.
For an adult weighing 70, 80 or 90 kg
Don't automatically choose a 7-foot or 8-foot board based on weight alone. Boards of the same length can have different widths and volumes. The recommended weight range should also be considered alongside the manufacturer's intended use.
For a heavier build, check that the board offers a comfortably supportive platform and enough buoyancy. Simply adding thickness to a short shape does not necessarily provide the comfort of a longer, wider beginner board.
Our guide to choosing the right surfboard size explains how to read dimensions and compare sizes.
For a child
Weight, independence and experience matter more than age alone. The board should provide support while remaining manageable. An overly bulky model can be difficult to carry or control; an overly compact model can make paddling and balancing harder.
Advice from an instructor who has seen the child surf is particularly useful. They can assess the child's needs against the equipment used in lessons.
For holiday-only surfing
Choose a board that keeps paddling and takeoffs comfortably manageable. If you are returning to the water after several months off, it may take a few sessions to regain your feel and muscle memory.
An easy-to-ride first board can last you several seasons. You do not need to downsize to prove you are progressing.
HawaiiSurf's tip
If a surf school board helped you catch waves consistently, note its length, width, volume and model before buying. This experience gives you a practical point of comparison. Then explain what you would like to improve: transport, paddling, balance or your first turns.
Buy or rent: when should you choose your first board?
A few sessions with rental or surf school equipment will help you discover what works for you. You can see how comfortable you feel with the volume, width and handling of a large board.
Buying makes sense once you have found suitable equipment and plan to use it regularly enough to get the most out of it. If you are just starting out or switching spots, renting can also help you avoid rushing into a purchase.
Before deciding, consider storage, transport and any extra equipment you need. The board's price alone does not always reflect the full cost of your first sessions.
How much should you budget for a beginner surfboard?
Compare deals with equivalent equipment. A board sold with fins may have a different total cost from a model that requires a separate set. Budget for a leash, wax if needed, and suitable protection for transporting your board.
Your budget depends on the model, its construction and what's included. Rather than simply looking for the lowest price, check that the gear is suitable for learning and in good condition.
Surf packages: −10% on a board and a set of fins
At HawaiiSurf, surf packages give you −10% when you buy a surfboard and a set of fins. First, choose a board suited to your size and skill level, then fins compatible with its fin boxes and intended use.
If your softboard already comes with fins or uses a specific system, check exactly what's included before adding another set. A board and fins package doesn't necessarily include a leash or board bag: check which items you'll need separately.
Is a used board a good first option?
Yes, if it's designed for the right type of surfing and is in suitable condition for use. Check for cracks, repairs, peeling areas, fittings and fin boxes. On a softboard, also check the condition of the outer skin, the bottom of the board and the leash plug.
A great deal on a board that's too technical is still a poor choice for learning. If you're unsure about its specifications or condition, get someone to help you assess it.
What accessories do you need for your first sessions?
Check the fins supplied and how they attach. Then choose a leash based on the manufacturer's recommendations, board length and conditions. Our guide on how to choose your surf leash covers the factors to consider.
Grip depends on the surface: some foam boards need wax, while others have specific instructions. Follow the guidelines for your model. A tail pad isn't an automatic must-buy for your first large softboard.
To protect your gear while travelling, compare surfboard bags that fit its length and width. Your choice of wetsuit or thermal protection depends on the water temperature and session length.
Gear is no substitute for learning about the spot, currents and right-of-way rules. A lesson also helps you choose suitable conditions and an area for your first attempts.
When can you switch boards after getting started?
Changing boards makes sense when you identify a way your equipment is holding back your surfing. A few successful take-offs aren't enough to conclude that a larger board is no longer useful.
| What you can do consistently | Equipment priority |
|---|---|
| You're still not standing up consistently | Keep the support and make take-offs easier |
| You're catching unbroken waves but have little control over direction | Work on positioning and lines with easy-to-use equipment |
| You're consistently catching waves and starting to commit to turns | Try a progression board without suddenly giving up comfort |
A larger board can still be useful in small waves or when getting back into surfing. Progressing doesn't mean you have to move from a softboard to a fish, then to a shortboard: your surfing style may lead you towards other shapes.
What mistakes should you avoid when buying?
- Buying a board that's too short to save space. Storage matters, but ease of use in the water comes first.
- Assuming foam means easy. Check the model's intended use and dimensions.
- Choosing solely by volume in litres. Volume distribution and the board's supporting surface area matter too.
- Choosing the same board as a more experienced friend or family member. Even at the same weight, you may need different levels of paddling support.
- Spending your entire budget on the board. Allow for the essentials you need to use and protect it.
- Planning for a higher skill level too soon. A board that works for you today lets you repeat the movements you need to progress.
How do you find the right first board for you?
Look for a model clearly designed for learning, with a recommended rider size that suits you, clearly stated dimensions and compatible equipment. If possible, compare it with a board you've used in lessons.
Before replacing your first board, discover how to choose a board to keep progressing without losing the ease that helps you catch waves.
Once you're consistently catching unbroken waves and starting to turn, discover which board to choose after the first stages of learning to surf to keep things easy while refining your lines.
Action sports specialists since 1976, HawaiiSurf is here to help you choose your first board. In our surfboard range, focus on boards that help you paddle, catch waves and stand up with confidence from your very first sessions.
