Surfing Waves

Hey guys,

I have recently started up my own learn to surf blog and have written a post of the best types of beginner boards. I have picked the top three types of boards that I believe are the best for beginners and will help them progress quickest. The link to the post is here: http://blog.saltyridersco.com/surfboards-to-fast-track-your-learning/

These boards were all chosen on past experience from when I first learnt to surf. Let me know what you think.

Are there any other surfboards you would recommend for beginners? If so, why?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

I disagree about a mini mal being easier to paddle out in big surf....for my size. At 92kg a mini mal is too big to effectively duck dive under the white cloud and too small/slow to be able to speed out back when a break in the sets comes.

I agree with what Big H said, minimals aren't good for bigger surf, when surf is big I just take out my hybrid fish, from all I've learned so far one thing is for sure, there isn't an ultimate beginner board that you can progress with then use in overhead surf, it comes down to changing equipment for what and how you're riding, though my hybrid fish was my first board, I learned on rentals before buying that.

Yeah good point. I was leaning towards it being easier on bigger surf days compared to a longboard as the minimals are not quite as large and heavy. Most people wouldn't be able to duck dive either types of boards though so that is the downside of using them when the surf is bigger. Thanks for the response!

It makes sense to me if beginners learn to handle the ocean without duck diving. Give a beginner a board they can duck dive and guess what? They still can't duck dive because they need to learn how and once they do they can't catch any waves because they need to build their paddling strength and endurance and also their knowledge of where to be to catch waves. I only surf boards that can't be duck dived. I can go out to the same breaks as shortboarders who do duck dive. There is more than one way to get through the surf especially if it is big. The bigger it is the less duck diving helps

I like mini mals.....I have one in my quiver and was my second board after starting on a 9'3"x23x3". For a smaller person the 7'6" mini mal I had could be a very good learning board; for my size a bigger board was needed in the early stages. I've since sold the 7'6" but added a 7' mini mal for smaller fat days, conditions that board works really well in. I have two longboards now and a big fungun, all of which can handle waist high to as big as I dare. For a big guy like me a longboard is the most versatile board in the rack and is a board a newbie can build a quiver around. But again, if I was a 110lb person at 5'2", WKKs guideline of 3 ft over the head would mean that an 8-81/2' mini mal board would be large enough to easily learn on and could serve as that quiver cornerstone.

I agree with OMS in that a newbie should learn how to navigate getting out back without duck diving. Reading the break, timing, paddle fitness, understanding the sets, learning to kick out over the back and paddle straight away to stay outside, learning to milk a ride to the channel for an easy return ticket to the lineup.....skills that should be learned rather than what is out there which is masses of people on undervolumed boards blowing waves because they bog out and are then caught inside and then paddle straight through the waves to get out back effectively turning themselves into kooky human speed bumps. I take pride in "dry hair" days when the waves are a decent size....able to paddle out back, ride, kick out and paddle all the while maintaining dry hair (or dry scalp in my case ) means I've got the wave wired to a degree and riding with control.

I haven't met many good surfers who didn't have more than one board. The ones I have met are usually broke and plotting to acquire their next board. No professional surfer rides just one board. So I think it's silly to start surfing with the notion that you'll be on one board for the next five years. That just doesn't happen with surfers who have an income and surf different breaks/conditions. Groms might have to make do with one board, but even groms I've known were able to get their hands on different boards. Anyway, my point is that beginning surfers should just accept that surfing is expensive and that if they stick with the sport, then they'll go through different boards.

Deciding on the first board in a beginner's road to surfing competency is pretty easy, in my opinion. They should simply start on a longboard (a board 2 to 3 or more feet above their height). It's the one board that will work on any wave a beginner takes off on. The only reason a beginner shouldn't be on a longboard is if the length of a longboard prevents them from being able to go surfing. In other words, the notion of surfboard choice doesn't apply to beginners unless a longboard prevents them from surfing and then it becomes a matter of how much length has to be lopped off to enable the beginner to start surfing. I'm not saying beginners can't learn on a shortboard, only that the most efficient path to competency is on a longboard. That's how I see the perfect beginner surfboard.

Pro surfers spent hours/months/years/decades learning to surf, beginners haven't. Pro surfers can get the maximum output from a board. Beginners can't. I think if you want to learn faster then stick to one board most of the time. If that isn't your goal then use lots of different boards and don't worry about it. Surfing is up to the individual and you set your own goals. Some want to have only fun and have an easy time. some would be bored with that. Each surfer needs to make choices based on what their goals are not trying to emulate pros because most surfers will never be able to do what pros do.

Nice blog for beginners like me. Very useful.

Thanks Prize. Let me know there is anything else you would like to see on there that might help you in your surfing journey.

WOW! you updated redid your blog. It's even better now

Well, I've read your blog. The models you've shared are no doubt, the best for beginners. But I don't have any experience on riding on any of them. I have been surfing since I was 9. In this long time I've experience in riding various models. Things have changed now. My nephew, who's a beginner surfboarder is currently using the Giantex 6ft Surfboard. We picked this product considering its durability and affordability. This is an ideal model for beginners because it can be used in an easier manner.