For an intermediate surfer, a funboard or a forgiving midlength is often a good starting point: it keeps paddling comfortable while letting you work on your turns. A fish, hybrid or shortboard may suit some surfers better, provided they already catch waves consistently. Choose based on your current skills and everyday conditions, not simply the desire to move to a smaller board.
You can take off on an unbroken wave, but are torn between keeping some length and gaining responsiveness? Here are the criteria for finding a board that feels good from the start of your session and lets you make the most of the wave once you are up.
How do you know if you are an intermediate surfer?
There is no universal threshold based on how many years you have been surfing. When choosing your gear, focus on what you can do consistently in conditions suited to your experience.
- You choose and catch your own waves without being pushed.
- You complete your take-off before the wave breaks and ride along its face.
- You deliberately choose a direction and are starting to vary your line.
- You know how to position yourself and respect right of way, even if your ability to read the spot still needs work.
This level covers a range of abilities. A surfer who rides waves in only one direction does not yet have the same needs as someone comfortable going both ways, able to generate speed and link turns. In the first case, easy wave entry and stability remain key; in the second, rail work and control become more important.
Funboard, fish or shortboard: which shape suits your surfing?
The board category gives you a starting point, but the model’s intended use matters most. A very compact fish can require more precision than a longer hybrid. A narrow, performance-focused midlength can be demanding despite its length.
| Your situation | Board category to consider | Benefit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| You ride along the wave but still lack consistency | A forgiving funboard, mini-malibu or midlength | Keep enough paddling power and time to get into position | Avoid a narrow model designed for demanding waves |
| You catch waves easily and want speed in weaker conditions | A fish or hybrid suited to your ability | Combine a buoyant surface area with a more compact size | Check the length, rails and fin setup |
| You want to work on your turns on a more responsive board | A hybrid or user-friendly shortboard | Make rail-to-rail transitions easier with a suitable shape | Maintain enough paddling power; responsiveness won’t make up for missed take-offs |
| You’re looking for glide and long lines | A longboard suited to your surfing | Ride waves with a different rhythm and weight distribution | Account for its inertia and the space needed to stay in control |
Why does a funboard still make sense after your first waves?
Funboards aren’t just for learning. A well-balanced model can support angled take-offs, your first turns and building speed without demanding precise positioning at all times. If you surf occasionally or in changing conditions, that extra forgiveness remains valuable.
Compare funboards and versatile shapes by checking the recommended skill level and the dimensions of each size. The terms funboard and midlength sometimes overlap in catalogues: neither term alone guarantees an easy-to-ride board.
When should you choose a fish or a hybrid?
A fish may appeal to an independent surfer looking for glide in weaker waves. Its width and outline can help maintain speed, but a shorter board is still less forgiving of positioning mistakes than a longer, more accessible board. Not all fish boards are twin fins, and not all twin fins behave the same way.
In our selection of fish boards, check what each model is designed for rather than choosing purely for its swallow tail. A hybrid can also offer a compromise between a buoyant board and a more shortboard-like feel; however, the term “hybrid” covers a wide range of shapes.
When should you consider a shortboard?
A shortboard becomes an option once you’re catching waves comfortably, controlling your lines and looking to develop a more responsive surfing style. For your first shortboard, a user-friendly model may make more sense than a narrow competition shape with heavy rocker.
Before comparing shortboards suited to your surfing, make sure your paddling technique and usual conditions allow you to get the most out of them. Adding thickness to a small board does not automatically give it the easy takeoff of a funboard.
Do you need to move on from a longboard to improve?
Longboarding is a discipline in its own right, with its own lines, footwork and demands. You can develop your wave reading and refine your weight shifts on a larger board. If you enjoy the glide and flowing turns, explore longboards based on their intended use, rather than going shorter just for the sake of it.
What size and volume should you keep at an intermediate level?
Your current board is the best point of comparison if you know its dimensions and how it handles. Note what it lets you do well and what actually holds you back: late takeoffs, difficulty building speed, trouble initiating turns or tiring quickly.
Weight affects the buoyancy you need, but it is not enough to determine volume in litres. How often you surf, your fitness, and the board’s length, width and volume distribution also affect how easy it is to ride. Two boards with the same volume can offer very different balance and paddling performance.
| What you notice | What to look at |
|---|---|
| You often miss the takeoff | Positioning, paddling technique and ease of glide before downsizing |
| You catch waves, but turns are still difficult | Back foot placement, rails, tail width and the shape’s intended use |
| You tire quickly after a break from surfing | Keep paddling easy and adjust your goals for the session |
| You can control the board but lack speed through softer sections | Planing surface, rocker, line and suitability for the waves |
There is no single ideal volume for an intermediate surfer weighing 70, 80 or 90 kg. Start with the weight range and the manufacturer’s recommendations for the specific model, then weigh them against your experience. Avoid applying a ratio designed for a beginner or an experienced athlete to an intermediate board.
HawaiiSurf’s tip
Do not change every variable at once. If you move to a more compact board, keep clear points of comparison: similar conditions, paddling ease, number of waves caught and control after take-off. Trying a board tells you more than its volume in litres alone.
How should you adapt your choice to the waves and how often you surf?
You mostly surf small, soft waves
The priority is to catch waves and maintain speed when there is little push. Enough planing area and a moderate rocker can help. A funboard, longboard, fish or hybrid can meet this need depending on your technique. The smallest model in the selection is not necessarily the one that will help you make the most of your session.
You encounter faster waves
Controlling your line and holding the wave face become more important. The rocker, rails and tail should match the model’s intended use. A very wide, flat board designed for soft waves can reach its limits when the face gets steeper. That does not mean you should jump straight to a radical shape: choose conditions you can handle and equipment you can control.
To understand how equipment needs change as the waves get more powerful, check out our guide to surfboards for powerful waves, while sticking to an intended use that matches your experience.
You mainly surf on holiday
Choose a board that lets you find your feet again without spending your whole trip relearning how to take off. A forgiving shape can give you more time riding waves than a board that demands weekly practice. If you surf often, you can fine-tune your choice further, while keeping in mind the waves actually available near you.
Construction and fins: what should you look for before buying?
Epoxy and polyester are types of resin; how a board performs depends on its entire construction: core, glassing, reinforcements, weight and flex. An epoxy construction is not automatically more forgiving, nor is a polyester construction reserved for top surfers. Compare intended uses first, then consider maintenance, transport and the feel you’re after.
A softboard can also remain a good choice at an intermediate level. Its soft covering describes its construction, not a skill level: some models remain easy to ride, while others are short and demanding.
For fins, check the fin boxes, intended setup and recommended size for your build. A thruster with three fins can provide a versatile starting point on a shape designed for this setup. A twin or quad will offer a different feel, without necessarily being easier to surf. Start with a recommended setup for the board; you can then fine-tune your gear without changing everything you are used to at once.
How do you choose between two models and budget appropriately?
Describe what you need in one concrete sentence: “I catch waves on my own, I am starting to turn, I surf two weekends a month and I want to keep good paddling power in fairly weak waves.” This description is more helpful than simply labelling yourself “intermediate”.
Then narrow down the models with four questions: does the intended use suit the waves I surf? Is the chosen size right for my build? Will I still be able to catch enough waves successfully? Does the performance I am looking for address an actual difficulty? You can then compare surfboards using specific criteria.
Also budget for fins if they are not included, a leash, grip and protection during transport. At HawaiiSurf, surf packages let you get −10% when you buy a board and a set of fins. Start by choosing a suitable board, then compatible fins to build a balanced setup.
Action sports specialists since 1976, HawaiiSurf helps you choose the right gear. To put these criteria into the broader context of board shapes and uses, check out our guide on how to choose a surfboard.
