How to choose the right size surfboard as a beginner
So you're ready to buy that first Surfboard and hit the waves , but how do you which board length will be suitable for you ? .Not to worry we will try to clarify as much as we can in this blog to help you choose the correct beginner surfboard size.
Below is a rough estimate of the size of surfboard you should go with as a beginner.
Choosing The Right Beginner Surfboard Size
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right size board , as a rule of thumb beginner surfers should stick to getting a longer and thicker SurfBoard for extra floatation and stability which will in turn help you catch waves easier and make it a bit easier to get your balance right on the wave. ( it does take a while to get your balance right but hey we have all been there and its part of the of fun learning to surf)
You will want to note down your weight and height ,as surfers with who are taller or have more weight should go for a larger board with more buoyancy to make it easier when starting out.
When starting out as a beginner its generally best to start with a soft board
As tempting as it may be to jump on a shortboard and try to rip like some of the top surfers you see , its best to start off with a soft board or "Foamie" Why is that ?..........
.........Well when you're starting out as a beginner the larger soft boards are much easier to balance on as well as its safer for you and anyone around you in the surf , you'll most likely not have as much control over your board as a beginner which could be a little dangerous if you had a glass board with sharp fins potentially running over or hitting someone.
Play it safe and jump on a foam board until you are confident enough in your surfing abilities to move onto a more advanced board.Larger soft boards make it much easier to paddle out into the surf and get on a wave.
Surfer Weight and Board Size For Beginners
This is a rough estimate of which board size you should go for as a beginner dependant on your body weight remember this is not set in stone just a rough guide to help choose the right board size.
What Size leg Rope For Your SurfBoard?
A good rule of thumb for choosing the right leg rope length is to have the length of the leg rope the same as the length of your board , if there is no leg rope for the size of your board just choose the size up. Eg : Board length 7ft - Leg Rope Length 7ft
Eg : Board length 7'6 - leg Rope length 8ft
What Fins Should I Choose ? Hopefully your surfboard shop will include the fins that match the board you are purchasing so you shouldn't have to worry but if not , as a beginner on a foam board you'll want to purchase soft board fins which will generally be made from plastic that have a little flex in them and usually will be in a "thruster' set up which is 3 fins ,2 on the side and 1 at the back of the board in line with the middle of the board ,this generally provides more stability and manoeuvrability. Installing the fins is different for each board, most soft boards have holes through the board, so on the underside of the board you will put the fin in and on the top side you will have plugs or screws that go in to secure the fin.
Other Surf Boards have clip in fins such as future fins or fCS 2 fins which have 2 little screws either side of the fin you screw in with a fin key. They can be made from different materials such as plastic , fibreglass , wood , resin composites.
For a Video explaining how to set up SoftBoard fins on soft top boards and leg rope set up check this out.
If you have any questions when choosing the right beginner surfboard size please feel free to get in contact with us and we will be more than happy to help you out .If you would like to have a look at our beginner surfboards click the button below.
Noosa SurfBoard CO
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