Blog · By Gervas, surf coach at Nelayan Beach · 5 min read

Which surfboard should a beginner use?

The best surfboard for beginners is a big, wide, thick soft-top board, often called a foamie. A soft top has a soft foam surface, and a big one has plenty of volume (the amount of foam that makes it float). That kind of board floats well, feels stable, paddles easily and catches whitewater (broken waves near the beach) without much effort. Smaller boards look good under experienced surfers, but for a beginner they sink, wobble and miss waves.

Picking the right board is one of the quickest ways to make learning easier. Here's what to look for, and what to ignore.

What makes a good beginner surfboard?

A good beginner board keeps you stable while you learn to stand, helps you paddle into waves with little effort and is forgiving when you fall.

That usually means:

• plenty of length, so the board is stable from front to back
• plenty of width, so it doesn't roll from side to side
• plenty of thickness and volume, so it floats you high in the water
• a soft deck, so it hurts less when it hits you

The rounder and fuller the shape, the more forgiving it tends to be.

Why beginners usually start on a soft top

A soft top has a foam deck (the top surface) instead of a hard fibreglass or epoxy finish. The foam gives you grip and is much softer if the board knocks into you or someone else.

That matters at a busy beach like Batu Bolong, where lots of people share the water. Soft tops are also usually big and buoyant, which is exactly what you want in your first sessions. With a soft-top board and professional instruction, the risks of learning to surf become much smaller.

Does surfboard length matter?

Yes, a lot at the start. Surfboard length is normally given in feet and inches, even in countries that use metres. Beginner soft tops are often around eight to nine feet long, which is roughly 2.4 to 2.7 metres.

A longer board is more stable and catches waves earlier, because it moves through the water more easily when you paddle. The trade-off is that it's heavier to carry and harder to turn. At the start, stability and catching waves matter more than turning.

What does surfboard volume mean?

Volume is the amount of space the board takes up, measured in litres. It combines length, width and thickness into one number. More volume means the board floats more.

For beginners, volume is often the most useful number. A beginner board usually has a lot of volume compared to the surfer's weight. As a rough guide, many beginners are best on a board with at least as many litres as they weigh in kilos, and often more. Treat it as a starting point.

Why bigger can be easier at first

A bigger board makes almost every beginner skill easier:

• You paddle faster, so you catch waves with less effort.
• You float higher, so you're less tired.
• The board is more stable, so standing up is easier.
• You get more waves, which means more practice in each session.

The pop-up, the move from lying on the board to standing, is much easier on a stable platform. On a small board, beginners spend most of their energy just staying on top of it.

Does your height determine your board size?

Height plays a part, but weight matters more. A heavier surfer needs more volume to float, whatever their height. Taller surfers may feel more comfortable on a longer board, but a short, heavy person usually needs a bigger board than a tall, light one.

Experience and the conditions count too. That's why a good instructor looks at more than one number when choosing a board for you, and why I always ask about your experience before a lesson.

When should you move to a smaller board?

Move down gradually once you can:

• paddle into whitewater and small green waves (waves that haven't broken yet) on your own
• stand up reliably
• ride along the wave instead of only straight towards the beach
• choose waves and position yourself without much help

The next step is usually a smaller soft top or a longboard, depending on your experience and the conditions. A small performance board comes much later. Going too small too fast is one of the most common reasons people stop improving. You'll catch fewer waves, and fewer waves means less practice. My article on moving from whitewater to green waves covers this stage.

What boards are used during Canggu surf lessons?

For first lessons, I use big soft-top boards. They're stable, forgiving and safer in busy water.

For more intermediate surfers, we might switch to a smaller soft top or a longboard. That depends on your experience and the conditions that day, and on what we're working on, like turning or catching waves earlier.

The board comes with the lesson, along with water, zinc sunscreen and a rash vest, a thin top that protects your skin from the sun and from rubbing on the board. I choose every board for the person riding it, in private and semi-private lessons alike. There’s more on the lesson itself in what happens during your first surf lesson and on my surf lessons page.

Best surfboard for beginners: common questions

Should I buy a surfboard for my first surf trip?

No. Rent one or use the board that comes with your lesson. Buy once you know you'll keep surfing and what size suits you.

What size surfboard should a beginner rent?

A big, wide soft top, often around eight to nine feet, with plenty of volume for your weight. When in doubt, go bigger, and ask the rental which board suits the conditions.

Is a longboard good for beginners?

Longboards, boards of around nine feet or longer, are stable and catch waves easily. Hard longboards are heavy, though, and hurt more if they hit you, which is why beginners usually start on a soft top and move to a longboard later.

Can I learn on a shortboard?

It's possible but much harder. Shortboards, the short, narrow boards many experienced surfers ride, float less and are less stable, so you'll catch fewer waves and progress more slowly.

How long should I stay on a big soft top?

Until you can catch waves, stand up reliably and ride along the wave. For some people that takes days, for others weeks. See how many surf lessons you need.

Choosing your first board

Start big and soft, and don't worry about how it looks. The best surfboard for beginners is the one that gives you the most waves and the fewest bruises. Then move down in size slowly as your skills grow.

You don't need to buy a board for your first lesson. I choose one that suits your level and the conditions. Send me a WhatsApp on +62 813-3684-866 and we'll get you on the right board. If you're thinking of renting instead, read surf lesson vs board rental in Canggu.