A Guide to Buying Your First Surfboard
As the saying goes, “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” So, you’re ready to heed Jon Kabat-Zinn’s famous advice; but how do you go about buying your first surfboard?
Do Some Research!
A new surfboard is no minor investment, and like a new car, once you take it off the lot, it’s yours! A little research can go a long way. It’s important to know what type of surfboard to buy, and even more so, which surfboards to avoid when learning how to surf.
Size Matters, But It’s Not All About Length
When buying your first surfboard, bigger is generally better but that doesn’t necessarily refer to length. Length is only one of 4 essential dimensions to pay attention to when buying a new surfboard, along with width, thickness, and volume. The length, width, and thickness of a surfboard determine its volume. When buying your first surfboard, it is important that the board is not only long, but also wide and thick enough to provide a stable, buoyant surface to pop-up on. Surfboard volume is unique to every person and will differ from board to board depending on its intended function, construction, and the surfer’s weight and skill-level. You’re probably wondering, how do I figure out the right surfboard volume for me? Firewire Surfboards offers a free surfboard volume calculator which will provide you with a personalized, approximate volume range.
What Shape Should My First Surfboard Be?
Too often we see people in the shop or out in the water who have been sold the wrong surfboard. A surfboard’s template, or shape, is a crucial element of its use. While 8 feet might seem long enough for a first surfboard, a pinched tail and narrow nose with tons of rocker will make it as difficult to learn on as a shortboard. Your first surfboard should be long, wide, thick, and flat from nose to tail. A surfboard with a flat, full nose will give you more for your paddle. The flatter the board, the more surface area is touching the water, allowing your surfboard to plane with ease. If you want to learn more about surfboard shapes, here’s a helpful guide.
It’s Okay to Go Soft
It’s 2019, don’t worry about stink-eyed locals giving you a hard time. The age of soft-top stigmatization has passed. In fact, soft-tops are used and celebrated by beginners and pros alike! Don’t believe me? Watch Jamie O’Brien surf a Catch Surf soft-top at Jaws, or check out Team Wavestorm on Instagram—an entire account dedicated to soft-top surfing. The first surfboard you buy will likely incur plenty of damage, and board repairs can get quite expensive. Buying a soft-top is an easy way to avoid that issue, not to mention they’re much more wipe-out-friendly than a traditional glassed surfboard.
Used or New?
Whether you’re someone who likes the finer things in life or someone on a budget, buying second-hand is always worth considering when buying your first surfboard. Naturally athletic or not, your first surfboard will likely wear the damage reflective of surfing’s tough learning curve. Those first dings, dents, and cracks are an homage to your progression! Buying a used surfboard is a cost-efficient way to get a great board that’s already been shown a little love. Check out our guide to buying a used surfboard for a full rundown.
What Kind of Fins Should I Buy For My First Surfboard?
Basic, plastic fins! While sleek carbon-fiber designs and slogans like “Speed Generating” might be alluring, do not get tricked into buying fancy, performance-core fins for your first surfboard. Put simply, you will not notice the difference between high-performance fins and plastic fins as a beginner surfer. Your fin size will be dependent on your weight and the types of waves you’re surfing. For more surfboard fin info, check out this comprehensive guide to surfboard fins.
Ready to Take the Plunge?
Whether you decide to buy a new, used, or soft-top surfboard, make sure whatever you choose is something you can ride and have fun on. But beware, as Kelly Slater aptly put it, surfing is “like the mafia. Once you’re in – you’re in. There’s no getting out.”