Surfing is one of the most popular sports to do on a beach. If you’re not a fan of playing beach volley or football, this can be a better option for you. Riding the waves is definitely a good choice if you want to feel the ocean below you and the wind in your hair. Because of this, choosing between the types of surfboards is an essential point to start your surfing practice.
Whether you’re an experienced wave rider or a beginner surfer, you need to know your way between the different types of surfboards. Boards for surfing are as different as the waves themselves, which is why you have to know them in order to know which one to get to fit your surfing purposes.
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Types Of Surfboards For Beginners
1. The Shortboard
They’re one of the most common types of surfboards because they are great for fast waves. Besides, they’re highly maneuverable for advanced surfers, because they are made for surfing in the most critical section of the wave.
If you have some surfing experience and want to take your surfing to the next level, getting a shortboard can be a good option for you. They’re specially made to turn quickly in the tricky parts of the wave, so they will respond to you very fast.
2. The Gun
This type is designed specifically for big, steep waves. It’s made with a narrow tail and nose, so it’s made for experienced surfers that know how to control big, difficult and tricky waves.
Because of this, guns are used by experienced surfers that can control waves and have learned how to be stable and balanced on the board.
3. The Longboard
The longboard’s name is a tribute to its physics. As it suggests, it consists of long surfing board, and it is one of the classic models used for surfing.
Since they are easily maneuvered, they can be used in sloppy waves, so they are one of the best options if you’re a beginner. They can help starting surfers gain stability and balance, although they are slow to turn.
One of the main reasons why beginners choose longboards is because of the easiness with which it can catch waves. Because of its length, longboards can be used without much difficulty, and even experienced surfers choose them sometimes when they prefer to have a classic approach to the board they use.
4. The Funboard
This name is a general term usually used to name boards that will allow you to catch waves easier because of their volume. From all types of surfboards, they are the best choice if you’re a beginner because they’re very stable. Thanks to their shape, they’re less difficult to maneuver than longboards, and they’re perfect if you don’t know how to ride waves very well.
They are usually from 7 to 9 feet long and are also named Malibu boards. Besides, they’re very useful for heavier people. Some experienced surfers choose them as a backup option when they want to ride casually over the summer.
5. The Fish Surfboard
It’s similar to the shortboard, but they tend to be a little smaller in length. They are very speedy in small and medium waves, so they’re a good option if you’re starting to surf or have some practice on the sport.
6. The Foamboard
The name of this type of board is due to the material with which it’s made. It’s a board made of foam, that’s specially designed for beginners and children.
Their special characteristics make them very safe for surfing beginners, which is one of the main reasons why is the first option for alumni in surfing schools. Besides, they’re very durable, so they’re also a good asset for surf rentals.
If you’re just starting to surf and are learning on a surf school, you’ll probably get a foam board. You might feel intimidated from seeing experienced surfers on their boards, but don’t worry – remember that it’s a sport that has to be practiced like any other, and that using a foamboard at first will help you gain stability, balance, and stay safe.
7. Bodyboards
These are wide boards that are made for lying on them rather than standing, and they’re made especially for crowded beaches with families that want to provide children with a different activity.
They’re perfect for children to play in small waves, they’re very cheap and safe, so they’re a popular option in surf rentals.
8. The Hybrid
From all types of surfboards, this one mixes special features from two boards, for example, the shortboard and the longboard. This allows the advanced surfer to pick a personalized style for their surfing, so it will become a different experience in their practice.
The best quality of a hybrid is that it can combine the best of two different types of surfboards, for example, the length of a longboard with the width of a shortboard. It’s a perfect choice for professional surfers that know what specific features they need in order to ride different waves and control them.
9. The SUP
Although it doesn’t count as specific surfing, a SUP is a new adding to the surf world. The acronym stands for Stand-Up Paddleboard, which consists of a board that includes paddles with which the person propels him or herself over the water. It combines paddles with classical surf, so it’s a new board out on the market for surfers that wish to try something new.
Surfing is a whole new world from a beginner’s point of view. Every board has its own special features and specific uses. It is important to learn what the different types of surfboards are if you’re new at this sport because you will gain knowledge on which type will suit you best. If you want to practice this sport and become a professional at it, or if you just want to have fun on the beach with your family and friends, surfing is a very fun activity to practice when you know your way around the basics and can balance on top of a wave on the perfect board.