Last Updated: November 2, 2026
Quick Summary
The best beginner surfboard is a wide, thick soft-top, also called a softboard, because its foam deck is safer and its extra volume helps you paddle into waves sooner. Choose volume first, since a 70 kg surfer should start around 42 to 56 litres.
- Soft-tops are the standard recommendation for first-time surfers because the foam deck is safer when you fall.
- Volume matters most for beginners, starting at roughly 0.6 to 0.8 litres per kilogram of body weight.
- A 60 kg adult surfing small beach breaks suits around 7.5 ft to 8 ft, 45 to 55 litres.
- Avoid short, thin boards bought for looks, since they feel unstable and push many beginners to quit.
- Book a first lesson before buying so an instructor can confirm the right size for your body.
Table of Contents
- What Makes a Surfboard Good for a Beginner
- Best Foam Surfboard for Beginners: Soft-Tops and Softboards
- Beginner Surfboard Size Guide: Length, Width, Thickness and Volume
- Longboard vs Shortboard for Beginners
- How to Choose a Beginner Surfboard for Your Conditions and Budget
- Renting, Buying Used or Buying New: Which Makes Sense
- Booking Your First Lesson Before You Buy a Board
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes a Surfboard Good for a Beginner
The first board most people try is almost always a foam or soft-top. A good beginner board is stable, buoyant, and forgiving when you fall off. It should help you catch waves rather than fight you at every paddle.
Most beginners are better served by a wide, thick board than by a sleek performance shape. Extra width gives you a stable platform while you learn to stand. Extra volume helps you paddle into waves sooner, which is where most early progress happens.
Watch out: buying a short, thin board because it looks cool is the most common early mistake. It will feel unstable and tiring, and many beginners give up because of it rather than because surfing is too hard.
Best Foam Surfboard for Beginners: Soft-Tops and Softboards
Soft-top surfboards, also called softboards, are the standard recommendation for first-time surfers. The foam deck is safer when you fall and the board is easier to balance on.
Look for a soft-top with a deck that has grip, a leash attachment, and soft fins. Soft fins reduce the risk of cuts if you are knocked into the board in shallow water. Build quality varies, so check the deck seams and fin boxes before you buy.
Beginner Surfboard Size Guide: Length, Width, Thickness and Volume
Length, width, thickness and volume all affect how a board performs, but volume matters most for beginners. Volume is measured in litres and tells you how much the board floats. A higher volume board sits higher in the water, paddles faster and catches waves earlier. Width adds side-to-side stability under your feet, and thickness adds buoyancy through the middle of the board.
As a general rule, a longer and wider board is easier to learn on. Shorter boards turn faster but demand more skill. Your height, weight and fitness all change what size suits you, so use the guidance below as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.
A Simple Sizing Calculator Based on Weight, Height and Fitness
Use this quick method to get a starting volume and length:
- Body weight: This is the strongest driver of volume. A common starting pattern is roughly 0.6 to 0.8 litres of volume per kilogram of body weight for an adult beginner on a soft-top. A 70 kg surfer therefore lands in the 42 to 56 litre range, and a 90 kg surfer in the 54 to 72 litre range.
- Height: Taller surfers usually need a longer board to stay balanced. As a rough guide, a board that reaches roughly chest to chin height when stood on its tail suits most adult beginners.
- Fitness: Less fit paddlers benefit from extra volume to make paddling easier. If paddling tires you quickly, choose the upper end of your volume range.
- Wave size: Small, gentle waves suit a bigger, more buoyant board. Bigger surf calls for a little less volume so the board does not get pushed around.
Worked examples:
- A 60 kg adult of average fitness surfing small beach breaks: around 7.5 ft to 8 ft, 45 to 55 litres.
- A 85 kg adult who is new to paddling: around 8 ft to 8 ft 6 in, 60 to 70 litres.
- A 40 kg child: around 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft, 30 to 40 litres, with soft fins and a light weight for easy carrying.
Ask our instructors to confirm the right size for your body before you buy.
The sizing rules of thumb below summarise the starting points the article gives for choosing a beginner board.
| Factor | Guidance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Body weight | 0.6 to 0.8 litres per kg | Strongest driver of volume |
| 70 kg surfer | 42 to 56 litres | Starting volume range |
| 90 kg surfer | 54 to 72 litres | Starting volume range |
| Height | Board reaches chest to chin | Taller surfers need longer boards |
| Fitness | Choose upper end of range | Helps less fit paddlers |
| 60 kg, small beach breaks | 7.5 ft to 8 ft, 45 to 55 litres | Worked example |
| 40 kg child | 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft, 30 to 40 litres | Soft fins, light weight |
Longboard vs Shortboard for Beginners
For beginners, a longboard is almost always the better choice. Longboards are stable, catch waves early, and let you practise standing. A shortboard is faster and more responsive, but it is hard to control until you have built solid skills.
Mid-length boards sit in between and suit surfers who have some experience. If you are still getting comfortable on the water, you can try a gentler paddle activity first to build confidence. Once you can stand and turn reliably, a shorter board becomes a realistic next step.
How to Choose a Beginner Surfboard for Your Conditions and Budget
The right board depends on the waves you surf and what you want to spend. Small, mushy waves suit a large, stable board. Choppier or bigger surf may call for a slightly smaller shape, but beginners should still stay on a forgiving board. Whichever forgiving board you choose, check whether using surf wax is suitable for its soft top before heading out.
Matching the board to your local waves
- Small, gentle beach breaks: A long soft-top in the 8 ft range with high volume is the easiest platform. It catches weak waves early and gives you time to stand.
- Bigger or choppier surf: A slightly shorter, wider soft-top or a funboard around 7 ft to 7 ft 6 in is easier to control when the water is moving. Too much length can get pushed around in whitewater.
- Point breaks with a long, rolling ride: A longboard-style soft-top lets you trim and glide, which builds confidence before you learn to turn.
Budget bands to expect
Pricing depends on board type, size and condition, so check current prices with the shop before you buy.
Budget matters too. Spend your money on a board that fits your body and the conditions you will actually surf.
What to inspect before you pay
- Deck: Check for soft spots, delamination and compressed foam where feet land.
- Fins: Soft fins should be firmly seated with no cracks around the fin boxes.
- Leash plug: Make sure it is solid and not pulling out of the foam.
- Nose and rails: Look for dings that have taken on water, which shows as discolouration or a spongy feel.
Watch out: a cheap board with a soaked core will feel heavy and paddle poorly, which defeats the purpose of buying a beginner board. If the foam feels spongy or the board is noticeably heavier than a comparable model, walk away.
Renting, Buying Used or Buying New: Which Makes Sense
Renting can be a sensible option for your first few lessons, as it lets you test different sizes without committing to one. You can check our hire options and prices before you decide. Check with Port Fairy Surf School about the equipment provided during lessons.
Buying used can save money if you know what to look for, including dings, delamination and damaged fin boxes.
Booking Your First Lesson Before You Buy a Board
Before you spend money on a board, try an actual lesson. An instructor can help you find what suits your body and skill level. Lessons are designed for beginners, and Port Fairy Surf School runs inclusive programs for all ages from 7 to 70.
Booking a lesson first can help you decide whether to rent or buy. You can book your first surf lesson at Port Fairy Surf School and get expert guidance from passionate local instructors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of surfboard is best for beginners?
For most first-timers, a foam soft-top or softboard in the 6 to 8 foot range is the most practical choice. Its buoyancy helps you paddle and catch waves earlier, and its soft deck and fins reduce the risk of injury when you fall off. Hard boards can come later, once you can stand up consistently and turn on a wave. Port Fairy Surf School provides top-quality equipment during lessons.
What size surfboard should a beginner get?
Length, width and volume matter more than any single number. As a starting point, choose a board that is longer than you are tall and has enough volume for your body weight. Heavier riders and adults generally need more volume than lighter children. Use the sizing guidance as a starting point, then confirm with your instructor, since your fitness and local wave conditions will also shape the right choice.
Should a beginner buy a longboard or a shortboard?
A longboard is usually the better starting option. Its extra length and volume give stability, make paddling easier, and help you catch waves sooner. Shortboards are harder to balance on and tend to frustrate beginners, so they are better left until you have a solid stance and some wave experience. Most beginners progress faster on a longer, more forgiving board.
How much should a beginner spend on a surfboard?
Costs vary widely depending on whether you buy new or used, the board’s construction and its size. For current pricing on lessons and equipment, check the Port Fairy Surf School website.
Pick the board that helps you catch waves and stay upright, not the one that looks best on the rack. Plan on a lesson and a rented board to start, then choose your first board once you know what suits you.
