ActiveWater SportsBest beginner surfboard 2025: brilliant novice boardsThe best beginner surfboard will help you go from kook to serious ripperWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveWater SportsBest beginner surfboard 2025: brilliant novice boardsThe best beginner surfboard will help you go from kook to serious ripperWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The best beginner surfboard will help you go from kook to serious ripper
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Guy Kawasaki on Unsplash)
(Image credit: Guy Kawasaki on Unsplash)
Jump to category:How to buyFAQ
Jump to category:How to buyFAQ
The best beginner surfboard will help you score your first waves or finesse your surfing skills with ease. Becoming an accomplished surfer takes hundreds of hours on the water, catching – or attempting to catch – as many waves as possible. With the below surfboards for beginners, you can enjoy the first more, which is admittedly an exciting phase of your surfing life.
A common mistake many beginners make is starting with a board designed for far more experienced surfers. Instead of taking this approach, it’s well worth investing in a beginner board initially because picking a more advanced model will almost certainly drastically reduce the number of waves you catch, and it’ll take you longer to learn.
While you’re getting yourself kitted out, make sure also to check out our guide to thebest wetsuitsto keep you warm while you’re practising. Less essential but still super handy are thebest dry bags(to protect your valuables from the sand and surf) and a pair of thebest water shoesdesigned for hopping in and out of the sea comfortably. Finally, thebest life jacketsare also an essential purchase for beginner surfers.
Best beginner surfboards to buy right now
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Pyzel)
(Image credit: Pyzel)
The best surfboard for beginners, overall
SpecificationsFins:Centre fin and side-bitesConstruction:Eco EPS with soft EVA deckAbility:Total novice
Fins:Centre fin and side-bitesConstruction:Eco EPS with soft EVA deckAbility:Total novice
Fins:Centre fin and side-bites
Construction:Eco EPS with soft EVA deck
Ability:Total novice
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Reasons to buy+Tough but light construction+Soft deck and rails+A serious wave magnet
+Tough but light construction+Soft deck and rails+A serious wave magnet
Tough but light construction
Soft deck and rails
A serious wave magnet
Reasons to avoid-There are cheaper alternatives
-There are cheaper alternatives
There are cheaper alternatives
Boards for novice surfers used to be heavy and horrible foam planks that were only good for riding in straight lines to the beach. Nowadays there’s a host of models from world renowned shapers that are not only easy to catch your first waves with, but are also designed to help you progress with your surfing too.
Being a fairly traditional longboard shape, the 9ft Log is ideal for beginners, though it also comes in 8 and 7ft lengths for smaller riders or those who prefer a shorter board. The deck and rails are covered with a soft EVA skin that can take plenty of knocks, but is far less likely to damage you or anyone else the board may collide with in the water. Fin-wise, the Log runs a traditional longboard centre fin, plus two smaller side-bites.
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Two Bare Feet 8ft FoamieThe best surfboard for absolute beginnersOur expert review:SpecificationsFins:Thruster 3-fin set-upConstruction:EVA core with a wooden stringerAbility:Total noviceToday’s Best DealsVisit SiteReasons to buy+High volume and super buoyant+Forgiving soft foam deck+Stable 3-fin set-up+Excellent priceReasons to avoid-You will quickly outgrow it
Two Bare Feet 8ft Foamie
2. Two Bare Feet 8ft Foamie
The best surfboard for absolute beginners
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsFins:Thruster 3-fin set-upConstruction:EVA core with a wooden stringerAbility:Total novice
Fins:Thruster 3-fin set-upConstruction:EVA core with a wooden stringerAbility:Total novice
Fins:Thruster 3-fin set-up
Construction:EVA core with a wooden stringer
Ability:Total novice
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Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
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Reasons to buy+High volume and super buoyant+Forgiving soft foam deck+Stable 3-fin set-up+Excellent price
+High volume and super buoyant+Forgiving soft foam deck+Stable 3-fin set-up+Excellent price
High volume and super buoyant
Forgiving soft foam deck
Stable 3-fin set-up
Excellent price
Reasons to avoid-You will quickly outgrow it
-You will quickly outgrow it
You will quickly outgrow it
Made with an EVA core and a wooden stringer, which runs through the centre to supply additional strength, these high-volume boards are lightweight and simple to handle on and off the water. They offer exceptional buoyancy, making it as easy as possible to paddle out and giving you a good fighting chance of getting to your feet and staying upright once you’ve caught a wave. The classic three-fin set-up also contributes to the stability of the board, again making it easier for noobs to find their feet. And the foam deck is soft, so it doesn’t hurt too much when you do inevitably take a tumble and get a whack in the back of the head from your board.
(Image credit: Tiki)
(Image credit: Tiki)
Tiki Epic 6'6"The best surfboard for smaller sized beginnersSpecificationsFin system:FCSConstruction:PU core, fibreglass with 4mm EVA skinAbility:beginnerToday’s Best DealsVisit SiteReasons to buy+Loads of float+Super stable+Very well constructedReasons to avoid-Too small for heavier surfer
Tiki Epic 6'6"
3. Tiki Epic 6'6"
The best surfboard for smaller sized beginners
SpecificationsFin system:FCSConstruction:PU core, fibreglass with 4mm EVA skinAbility:beginner
Fin system:FCSConstruction:PU core, fibreglass with 4mm EVA skinAbility:beginner
Fin system:FCS
Construction:PU core, fibreglass with 4mm EVA skin
Ability:beginner
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Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsVisit Site
Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Loads of float+Super stable+Very well constructed
+Loads of float+Super stable+Very well constructed
Loads of float
Super stable
Very well constructed
Reasons to avoid-Too small for heavier surfer
-Too small for heavier surfer
Too small for heavier surfer
While there are tons of soft-top surfboards around, Tiki’s Epic range are some of the best we’ve seen. Solidly constructed using a traditional foam core with a wooden stringer for extra stiffness, the core is then wrapped in two layers of 6oz fibreglass, then finished with a 4mm soft yet sturdy EVA deck skin and a hard bottom for increased speed.
Being smaller and easier to handle than a longboard or mini-mal, this 6' 6", 53 litre board here is one of the best beginner surfboards for kids or anyone under 70kg. The Epic range also includes 7', 7'6", 8', 8'6" and 9' lengths for bigger surfers, as well as 6' and 5'6" fish that are best suited for more experienced surfers to have fun on. All the boards come with flexible FCS fins, allowing you to upgrade to hard fins as you progress.
Osprey 6ft Wood FoamieThe next step up once you’ve mastered the absolute basicsSpecificationsFins:rubber, includedConstruction:EPS Expanded PolystyreneAbility:beginner +Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit SiteReasons to buy+More performance+Great price+Looks coolReasons to avoid-More difficult to master
Osprey 6ft Wood Foamie
4. Osprey 6ft Wood Foamie
The next step up once you’ve mastered the absolute basics
SpecificationsFins:rubber, includedConstruction:EPS Expanded PolystyreneAbility:beginner +
Fins:rubber, includedConstruction:EPS Expanded PolystyreneAbility:beginner +
Fins:rubber, included
Construction:EPS Expanded Polystyrene
Ability:beginner +
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+More performance+Great price+Looks cool
+More performance+Great price+Looks cool
More performance
Great price
Looks cool
Reasons to avoid-More difficult to master
-More difficult to master
More difficult to master
The shorter length and more performance orientated outline of Osprey board will make it slightly easier to perform trickier manoeuvres on the wave face – such as ‘cutting back’ and ‘pumping’ to generate speed – than the Hold Fast. That said, it’s still no Kelly Slater pro model and is designed primarily with beginners in mind, meaning a soft foam outer shell to inspire confidence in the water and plenty of volume so it easily catches waves with minimal paddling effort.
The shorter size will make it more difficult for a heavier adult to master, but it’s a perfect choice for kids, teenagers or those of a slight build. Alternatively, it will make an extremely fun little board for those more experienced surfers looking for something cheap and easy to lug around during the crumbly summer months.
(Image credit: Surftech)
(Image credit: Surftech)
Surftech Robert August What I Ride Soft top 9ft surfboardA beginner surfboard with plenty of gripSpecificationsFins:Single fin with FCS II side bitesConstruction:EPS foam core, epoxy resin base with EVA soft deckAbility:Beginner to advancedToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit SiteReasons to buy+An iconic shape with a soft deck+Genuinely ideal for all abilities+Ding and damage resistantReasons to avoid-It’s not cheap
Surftech Robert August What I Ride Soft top 9ft surfboard
5. Surftech Robert August What I Ride Soft top 9ft surfboard
A beginner surfboard with plenty of grip
SpecificationsFins:Single fin with FCS II side bitesConstruction:EPS foam core, epoxy resin base with EVA soft deckAbility:Beginner to advanced
Fins:Single fin with FCS II side bitesConstruction:EPS foam core, epoxy resin base with EVA soft deckAbility:Beginner to advanced
Fins:Single fin with FCS II side bites
Construction:EPS foam core, epoxy resin base with EVA soft deck
Ability:Beginner to advanced
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best Deals
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Check Amazon
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Reasons to buy+An iconic shape with a soft deck+Genuinely ideal for all abilities+Ding and damage resistant
+An iconic shape with a soft deck+Genuinely ideal for all abilities+Ding and damage resistant
An iconic shape with a soft deck
Genuinely ideal for all abilities
Ding and damage resistant
Reasons to avoid-It’s not cheap
-It’s not cheap
It’s not cheap
Next up in our guide to the best surfboards for beginners is a soft decked version of longboard legend Robert August’s hugely popular What I Ride board. Unlike the standard model, this Softop version has a durable and slightly spongey deck which is easier on the knees and gives plenty of grip so doesn’t need to be waxed like a regular board. The soft EVA covering extends over the rails to reduce the likelihood of damage to anyone in its vicinity as well as protecting the surfboard itself. The base is finished with Surftech’s Tuflite epoxy construction which is renowned for being massively ding resistant too.
(Image credit: Torq Mod Fish)
(Image credit: Torq Mod Fish)
Torq Modfish – Soft DeckThe best surfboard for intermediate abilitySpecificationsFins:Futures quad or thrusterConstruction:EPS core, epoxy finishAbility:Intermediate and aboveToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit SiteReasons to buy+Easy wave entry+Seriously fast+Easy to manoeuvre+Fins includedReasons to avoid-Not for beginners
Torq Modfish – Soft Deck
6. Torq Modfish – Soft Deck
The best surfboard for intermediate ability
SpecificationsFins:Futures quad or thrusterConstruction:EPS core, epoxy finishAbility:Intermediate and above
Fins:Futures quad or thrusterConstruction:EPS core, epoxy finishAbility:Intermediate and above
Fins:Futures quad or thruster
Construction:EPS core, epoxy finish
Ability:Intermediate and above
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Easy wave entry+Seriously fast+Easy to manoeuvre+Fins included
+Easy wave entry+Seriously fast+Easy to manoeuvre+Fins included
Easy wave entry
Seriously fast
Easy to manoeuvre
Fins included
Reasons to avoid-Not for beginners
-Not for beginners
Not for beginners
If you’re a longboard or mini mal rider looking for something more manoeuvrable that won’t put a serious dent in your wave count, the Torq Modfish is a brilliant choice. Despite being a super-fast on the wave and way more responsive than a mini mal, with loads of foam under your chest, the Modfish paddles really well and feels pretty stable when you get to your feet. It comes in a range of sizes from 5'11 to 7'2 designed for surfers from 35-65kg to 60-100kg, so there’s an option to suit all sizes and abilities. Skilled surfers generally ride fish type boards that are two to six inches shorter than them, but the best surfboard for beginners is at least a couple of inches longer than their height. The Modfish is also available as a soft top and in various hard constructions – from the basic epoxy here to a super lightweight version with a carbon stringer.
(Image credit: MR)
(Image credit: MR)
Lost X MR California TwinThe best first ‘proper’ shortboardOur expert review:SpecificationsFin system:FCS II twin + trailer (not included)Construction:PU core and fibreglass finishAbility:intermediate to advancedToday’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit SiteReasons to buy+Suitable for most conditions+Early wave entry+Fast yet nimbleReasons to avoid-Not for beginners-Easy to damage
Lost X MR California Twin
7. Lost X MR California Twin
The best first ‘proper’ shortboard
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
Our expert review:
SpecificationsFin system:FCS II twin + trailer (not included)Construction:PU core and fibreglass finishAbility:intermediate to advanced
Fin system:FCS II twin + trailer (not included)Construction:PU core and fibreglass finishAbility:intermediate to advanced
Fin system:FCS II twin + trailer (not included)
Construction:PU core and fibreglass finish
Ability:intermediate to advanced
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best DealsCheck AmazonVisit Site
Today’s Best Deals
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Reasons to buy+Suitable for most conditions+Early wave entry+Fast yet nimble
+Suitable for most conditions+Early wave entry+Fast yet nimble
Suitable for most conditions
Early wave entry
Fast yet nimble
Reasons to avoid-Not for beginners-Easy to damage
-Not for beginners-Easy to damage
Not for beginners
Easy to damage
Okay, it’s not really one of the best beginner surfboards – this one is for intermediate surfers, and would make an absolutely excellent first ‘proper’ shortboard. Lost Surfboards' shaping supremo, Matt Biolos, took a Mark Richards classic and redesigned it to create the Lost X MR California Twin. The result is an incredibly versatile shortboard that will help weekend warriors surf score just as many waves as the saltiest of locals.
A relatively flat nose rocker combines with a wide mid-point, nose and tail help to give the California Twin plenty of useful glide in the weaker surf that typically reaches British shores. A flat deck helps provide stability and makes the board more forgiving for less skilled surfers, while the performance tail rocker and Mark Richards' proven ‘soft down’ rails gives easier take-offs in steeper waves and enables more experienced riders to pull precise turns.
Whether you want to pull screaming turns down the line or stay tight into the pocket, the California Twin is an excellent choice for almost every condition – though it goes best in open-faced waves from waist to head high. Head to ourLost X MR California Twin reviewto find out more.
How to buy the best beginner surfboard for you
Luckily for those who prefer to avoid surf culture insults, many of these beginner boards now come in much cooler shapes and designs, offering greater speed and maneuverability than the standard foam long boards, as well some neat colours and logos that ape the cool resin tints and hand-drawn elements of the more expensive bespoke offerings.
The plethora of shapes, sizes, dimensions and volume figures associated with surfboards can make find the best surfboard for beginners confusing and daunting. Surfers boasting a good relationship with their local ‘shaper’ will benefit from years of hydrodynamic knowledge and awareness of the customer’s ability, local wave conditions and requirements, resulting in a bespoke product that is designed to perform exactly as intended. But for those just starting out, it’s best to start with something a little more ‘off the shelf’ because it’s likely to get bashed around and ruined within seconds.
Generally speaking,the longer the board, the easier it will be to catch waves, which is why you often see foam boards (or foamies/soft tops) in lengths from around 7ft to 9ft. What these Goliaths lack in manoeuvrability, they more than make up for with the aptitude to cruise in poor conditions and a stable ride that suits wobbly beginners. Slightly more advanced novice surfers might want to consider a fish (those with a vee in the tail) or a performance short board design, but make sure it has plenty of volume to aid stability and float.
Material is also important, as beginner boards will typically be fashioned fromfoam or a basic epoxy resin. The former is designed to be as safe as possible and even the fins underneath are made from flexible material so not to obliterate swimmers or other learners in the water. The tough epoxy designs are robust and can withstand the inevitable knock or drop, but they will be more painful if you take one to the face. Take a look at thesuggested rider height, abilityandweightthat’s typically associated with each board when it comes time to buy, so you get a good idea of its suitability.
FAQ
What’s the best surfboard for beginners?
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