You have caught the surfing bug and after your first surf lessons, can you hardly wait to buy your first surfboard and conquer the waves on your own? Or have you been at it for a while, borrowing a board during your holiday and longing for something of your own? We’ve put together the ultimate tips for you on how to find the perfect surfboard for you!
Overview – How to find your own surfboard
Why do you need your own surfboard?
Have you been bitten by the surfing bug, have you successfully completed your first attempts at surfing or have you been surfing independently for a while now? You no longer want to be dependent on the opening hours of local surf stores and their surfboard selection and quality? The decision has been made: you need your own surfboard! Buying your first surfboard is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The perfect surfboard has to suit you, your ability & surfing style and the local waves. But the search is worth it!
Having your own surfboard allows you to be more independent. You can surf at any time; from sunrise to sunset, from the first to the last day of your surf vacation, without having to take into account the opening hours of the surf stores.
You can also be sure that your own surfboard – with the right care – will meet your needs. Gone are the days when you went surfing with a badly dented board, always worrying that someone else’s surfboard wouldn’t last long.
You’ll also save money: even if the cost of your first surfboard isn’t cheap, you’ll quickly recoup your investment if you go surfing regularly and no longer need to hire a surfboard.
Your own surfboard – it has to fit!
If you decide to buy your own surfboard, you need to consider various factors. Firstly, of course, your own height and stature: a petite person of 1.60m can surf different surfboards than a 1.90m tall, strong giant. It also depends on your surfing level: all too often we see surfers who have a cool, toothpick-like board tucked casually under their arm on the beach, but then struggle in vain in the line-up for the waves they simply can’t get: the board is simply too short and has too little volume for them to paddle it into the wave.
It’s not just your height and fitness that are crucial, but also your surfing level. Reflect on your abilities and be honest with yourself, because if you overestimate yourself, you’ll end up with the wrong board in the line-up and end up frustrated.
- You’ve taken your first surf lessons or haven’t even been surfing yet but want to learn
- You are starting to stand up in white water waves, but the take-off is still a matter of luck
- You feel most comfortable in waist-high water
- You want to keep practicing on your own and improve your take-off in white waves
You need a board with a lot of volume that guarantees you sufficient stability so that you can continue practising safely.
- You master the take-off safely
- You paddle green, unbroken waves and master the turtle roll to get into the line-up
- You surf the wave sideways and practise your turns
You need a board with medium volume, so you have enough stability but can turn more easily and work on your skills.
- You also feel comfortable in big waves and full line-ups
- You have your board under control
- You’ve mastered the duck dive as well as top and bottom turns and cutbacks
You can surf a surfboard to suit your taste: from shortboard to longboard, the choice is yours!
Your own surfboard & the waves you surf
Now that you have assessed your surfing level, the next important factor is the place where you are likely to surf the most.
Your own surfboard should of course be surfed by you as often as possible and be suitable for the waves you surf. So if you’re mainly going to be surfing fast, steep waves, you’ll need a board that allows you to perform the more radical maneuvers. And of course the right skills 😉
Do you prefer surfing in strong reef breaks or do you prefer small, gently breaking waves? Your own surfboard may not suit all waves, of course, but should be based on where you will (realistically) be surfing the most.
Your own surfboard should of course also suit your preferred surfing style. If you see yourself on a longboard, it doesn’t make much sense to buy a shortboard and the longboard waves don’t suit a short board either. Conversely, if you see yourself on a small, maneuverable surfboard, it makes sense to gradually move towards short surfboards.
Your own surfboard & the huge choice of surfboard shapes
With surfboards, a distinction is made between the shape (the form of the board) and the material. Many people make their first attempts at surfing on a softboard. These surfboards, also affectionately known as “foamies”, are made of soft foam covered with a layer of smooth plastic. These colorful rubber boards offer plenty of volume and stability and reduce the risk of injury in the full line-up and during your first attempts at surfing.
But it’s not just beginners who can have fun with softboards! Softboards come in all shapes and sizes, so that even more advanced surfers can have a lot more fun on a softboard, especially on days with small waves.
On the other hand, there are the hardboards. These are made of epoxy or fiberglass and are significantly lighter than softboards, but also less voluminous and more manoeuvrable.
Your own surfboard should be shaped to suit your surfing and your requirements. The rule of thumb is: the bigger and more voluminous the board, the easier it is to paddle into the waves. However, steering a longboard skillfully through the line-up requires different skills than a (mini) Malibu or a funboard.
Surfboards
Your own surfboard – what you should look out for when buying one
Do you know your surfing level and what kind of wave you prefer to surf? Then nothing stands in the way of you buying your own surfboard. Actually? A surfboard of your own isn’t cheap, so we wouldn’t advise rushing into a purchase. The most important thing is that you get a feel for the different boards. So take a look in a well-stocked surf store and borrow different boards. This will allow you to immediately notice the differences in shape, size and volume and find out which board suits you best. Try them out for a few days before deciding on your own surfboard.
Your own surfboard doesn’t always have to be brand new. In many surfing locations, there is a large second-hand market where you can buy good used surfboards either directly in the surf stores or online.
Of course, you shouldn’t let yourself be ripped off and make sure when buying that the surfboard is not too badly damaged or has unrepaired dings.