How to Choose a Surfboard: Beginner to Advanced Guide
Choosing the right surfboard can make a huge difference to how quickly you progress and how much fun you have in the water. The best board isn't simply the shortest, newest or highest-performance model — it's the one that suits your ability, size, fitness, local waves and the kind of surfing you want to do.
At Adventure Bay Surf Shop in Saltash, Cornwall, near Plymouth, we help surfers choose boards based on real time in the water and our experience through Adventure Bay Surf School. This guide covers the main things to consider before buying your next surfboard.
1. Start with your surfing ability
Beginners generally benefit from a larger, more stable board with plenty of volume. A softboard or beginner-friendly shape makes paddling, catching waves and getting to your feet easier. More waves and more successful take-offs usually mean faster progression.
Progressing surfers often want something more manoeuvrable without giving up too much paddle power or stability. A funboard or mid-length can be an excellent step between a beginner board and a performance shortboard.
Experienced surfers can choose more specialised boards according to the waves and style of surfing they prefer. Shortboards offer greater responsiveness and performance, while step-ups are designed to provide more control and confidence when the waves have extra size and power.
Shop Shortboards or Shop Step-ups
2. Understand surfboard volume
Surfboard volume is measured in litres and gives a useful indication of how much flotation a board has. More volume generally means easier paddling, earlier wave entry and greater stability. Less volume can make a board more responsive but also more demanding to paddle and surf.
Your ideal volume depends on more than body weight. Ability, fitness, age, how often you surf and the waves you normally ride all matter. Two surfers of the same weight may be much happier on very different boards.
If you're still learning or only surf occasionally, being slightly generous with volume is usually more helpful than choosing a board that's too demanding.
3. Length isn't the whole story
It's easy to shop for surfboards by length alone, but width, thickness, outline, rocker and overall volume are just as important. A wide, full 7ft board can feel completely different from a narrower performance-oriented board of a similar length.
Rather than asking only “What length surfboard do I need?”, think about what you need the board to do: catch small waves easily, turn more tightly, paddle into waves earlier, handle steeper take-offs or give you confidence in larger surf.
4. Choose a board for the waves you actually surf
A board should suit your regular conditions, not just the perfect waves you hope to surf. Around Cornwall and the South West we see everything from small, softer summer surf to faster, more powerful winter conditions.
For smaller or weaker waves, extra volume and surface area can help generate speed and improve wave count. For punchier surf, a more responsive shape may be appropriate. In larger or more powerful waves, extra length and control can become more important.
5. Softboard, mid-length or shortboard?
Softboards are stable, forgiving and ideal for learning the fundamentals. They're also great fun for experienced surfers in small summer waves.
Funboards and mid-lengths combine paddle power and glide with more manoeuvrability. They can be excellent progression boards and are also popular with experienced surfers who want a smoother, more relaxed style of surfing.
Shortboards prioritise responsiveness, tighter turns and performance. They generally require stronger paddling, better positioning and more developed surfing technique.
Step-ups are aimed at surfers tackling larger, faster or more powerful waves and typically provide additional length and hold compared with an everyday shortboard.
6. Don't downsize too quickly
One of the most common mistakes when progressing is moving onto a smaller board before you're ready. A board that looks more advanced doesn't necessarily help you surf better. If downsizing means catching far fewer waves, progression can actually slow down.
A good progression board should challenge you enough to develop your surfing while still giving you plenty of opportunities to catch waves and practise.
7. Think about the complete setup
The board is only part of the setup. The correct fins, leash and suitable surfboard protection all matter. Fin choice can noticeably change how a board feels, while the right leash should suit the board and conditions you plan to surf.
Browse Surfboard Fins and Surf Accessories.
Need help choosing?
If you're unsure, speak to us before buying. Tell us your height and weight, how long you've been surfing, what you're riding now, the waves you normally surf and what you'd like your next board to help you do.
Visit Adventure Bay Surf Shop in Saltash, Cornwall, close to Plymouth, or get in touch for honest advice. We'd rather help you choose a board you'll catch plenty of waves on than sell you something that isn't right for your surfing.