Surfing has become one of the go-to beach activities. Catching waves whether you are in Bali or on the coast of California is a summertime favorite. As your experience in the water grows, so does your ideal surfboard. With people getting their boards smaller and lighter than ever, they are able to take their surf experience to new limits. In order to ride the waves you will need the best surfboard. But you will also need to fully understand the characteristics that make up the board. Small details can change how the board feels and rides through the water.

With so many options flooding today’s market we made a list of the best surfboards on today’s market. These top boards are the best of their kind.

How To Choose The Best Surfboard – Buying Guide

Surfboards, just like wakesurf boards, have a specific design that allows them to skim over the water. Companies make small alterations to the shape, size, and weight of the surfboard to try and perfect their design.

Size

Choosing the perfect surf board size for you depends on a few crucial characteristics. There is no one size fits all surfboard. Also, as your skill increases the size of your surf board will change drastically.

Skill

Beginner riders will look for the best surf board with a lot of stability to combat their inexperience. This is most often found in the best surf boards with a large volume, between 7’-8’ long, 3” thick and a minimum of 22” wide. A soft top board is also often preferred as they float easier providing added stability.

Fitness

Young and fit riders will be able to take surfboards with less surface area and therefore require a bit more work. The work pays off in more fine maneuverability and less drag in the water. Those who are less fit or who are older and get tiered easier will find it more desirable to have a surfboard with a bit more substance. Adding a few inches in thickness and width to your surfboard will allow you to have an easier ride without compromising performance.

Height & Weight

Your height and weight play a contributing role about the surfboard you should choose. A heavier and taller person will need a surfboard that has more volume. This is usually represented in liters and increases with the size of the surfboard. Essentially, it is how much force will be keeping the rider on top of the water on their surf board.

Wave Type

Different waves require a different surfboard. There is no science to this, but experience in the water can go a long way to determining the perfect surfboard for you. Larger waves will act different than smaller ones, while surf in a shallow area will require a different setup than that in deeper water. This is where your experience in the water comes into play. The longer you spend surfing the better you will be able to pick a surfboard that suits your skill and the wave type.

Fins

The fin setup you choose should depend on a few different factors. Your style of surfing, your skill level and your weather conditions will all be factors. Having a fin setup with more fins is better as they are more versatile. You can choose how many fins you would like to put in depending on the conditions. Fins vary in more than just size but also angle and flex characteristics. For this reason, it is best for beginners to start with standard fins and move from there.

Put simply, bigger surfboards and heavier weight people will need bigger fins while smaller fins are more meant for lightweight people and/or smaller surfboards.

Accessories

When a surfboard comes equipped with accessories it sweetens the deal. These are things that you will want to buy so getting one with a packaged deal can prove incredibly cost effective for you.

Bag

There are two different types of surfboard bags that you can get. The first is an everyday use bag while the other is designed specifically for travel such as air travel or road trips. The day to day bag is designed to protect your surfboard from dings and scratches while sitting in your garage or being transported to the beach. These come in various thicknesses from a thinly knit sock to a padded tarpaulin material.

The travel bag is made more rugged than the daily bag and is thicker than the aforementioned. These vary in how many surfboards they carry from 1-4 and some even feature wheels making them easier to transport. These are able to be thrown onto your roof and strapped to roof racks for the easiest transport of your surfboard.

Stomp Pad

Traction pads improve the grip you have on the surfboard and are especially important for beginners. These surfboards vary in shape to perfectly complement your board’s shape. This pad will improve your surfing skills and allow you to get more air on your turns.

Leash

Any surfer knows how important it is for you to have a leash that attaches you and your surfboard together. If your surfboard comes included with this it will save you the trouble of buying one. Both length and thickness vary in the types of the leash and depend on your surfboard type. If your surfboard is between 6’ and 6’10” you will need a 6’ leash. Likewise, one that is 7’ – 7’10” will require a 7’ leash etc.

The thickness of the leash should depend on the size of your surfboard and the size of the waves you plan to surf. The standard all around size for leashes should be about ¼” thick. Smaller waves, as well as smaller surf boards, have less drag and therefore require a thinner 3/16” leash. Bigger surf boards in bigger waves will have more drag which will require a thicker 5/16” leash.

FAQs

Q: What Are Surfboards Made Of?

A: Modern day surfboards are made from a polyurethane or polystyrene foam and then covered with a layer of fiberglass and then a layer of polyester or epoxy resin. This gives them an ultralight weight while being rigid enough to stand up to the biggest swells the ocean can throw at it.

Q: How Are Surfboards Made?

A: Surfboards take quite a bit of time to make. The polyurethane or polystyrene foam has to be sculpted into the right shape and proportions. This is harder said than done. You only have one chance to get it right as you can shave the foam but cannot add any back once it’s removed. Surfboard sculptures have years of experience at what they do and use every ounce of experience. Getting the shape just right can take hours and days to perfect. This is why surfboards cost so much money.

Q: How To Store Surfboards?

A: As surfboards come in a number of different sizes ranging from shorter surfboards to those of a much longer size, it is important to be able to safely store them. As these surfboards most often come with a significant price tag, it is incredibly important to keep them safe and well maintained. For this reason, it is best to invest in a surfboard wall rack to help keep your surfboard safe when not in use.

Keeping your surfboard off of the ground is a great way to provide superior protection. It is also a great way to keep your garage clear and to store your surfboard taking up minimal space.

Q: Why Do Surfers Wax Their Surfboards?

A: Surfers, just like snowboarders, use something called surf wax, sometimes called sex wax, to give their surfboards a clear coat that is applied to the deck (top) of the surfboard. This gives the surfer a way of staying on the surfboard. If they didn’t use the wax they would have no grip and simply slide off their board. This is used for more than just riding a wave but also helps surfers stay securely on their surfboard as they paddle out to catch a wave.

Without the use of this wax, you would face an incredibly hard time getting on your surfboard. This wax is used for a variety of different sports as well. Body boarders and skimboarders will also utilize this wax for the same benefits.

Q: How Much Do Surfboards Weigh?

A: This will vary depending on a few factors of the surfboard including its volume, width and thickness. Smaller and thinner surfboards will obviously weigh less than taller and thicker ones. A typical surfboard can weigh anywhere from 6 or 7 lbs to upwards of 15 to 18 lbs. Heavier people will also require a larger and heavier surfboard. The shape can also affect the weight of the board.

Q: Why Do Surfboards Have Fins?

A: Surfboards have fins for the primary reason of tracking. These fins are sometimes referred to as a skeg. These help to cut through the water and ensure your surfboard stays in a straight line as you ride. Fins are mounted on the tail end of your surfboard and help to improve direction and stability.

In some cases the one large fin on a surfboard is replaced with multiple smaller fins. Surfboards often come with anything from 1-5 fins. These number of fins plays an important role in your board’s performance and are most often associated with skill level and type of water. These fins play a direct role in steering your boat making them infinitely important for this sport.

Globo Surf Overview

No matter what your skill levels, a day out on the water deserves the best surf board on the market. All of the surfboard reviews that made it on our list are the top of their kind which mean they will effortlessly give you the best surfing experience. From short boards to long, we have covered everything to match every rider’s skill and comfort level.

Sources

1. Surf News, Surfer Magazine
2. Surf Levels, Surfline

New to Surfboards or have a Surfboards on our list? Let us know how you like it in the comment section below.