The Most Common Softboard Mistakes Beginners Make and How to Fix Them

Softboards, or foam surfboards, have become the go-to choice for beginners who want to learn how to surf safely. They offer stability, buoyancy, and forgiveness, making it easier to catch waves and progress with confidence. However, even with such a user-friendly board, beginners often repeat the same mistakes that slow down their progression and diminish the fun. Understanding these mistakes is the first step toward correcting them and making each session more productive. In this article, we outline the most common beginner errors and explain how to avoid them so you can improve faster on your softboard.

Mistake 1: Choosing the Wrong Size or Volume

Selecting a softboard that is too small or lacks adequate volume is one of the most common mistakes beginners make, usually because they mimic experienced surfers who ride shorter, thinner boards without understanding how drastically volume affects stability and paddling power. A board that is too small makes paddling difficult, slows progress, and limits the number of successful take-offs, often causing frustration early on. Conversely, a board with sufficient volume helps the surfer float with ease, catch more waves, and maintain better balance even in weak or choppy conditions. When choosing a softboard, it is essential to consider body weight, fitness level, surfing ability, and the type of waves typically surfed. Choosing a slightly larger or more buoyant board is nearly always beneficial for beginners looking to progress comfortably and consistently over their first sessions.

A reliable guideline for beginners is to select a board longer than their height with a generous volume that allows easy flotation at rest. Product descriptions and size guides are valuable tools, and when in doubt, opting for more volume is usually the safest choice.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Positioning on the Board

Sitting too far forward or too far back on the softboard significantly affects balance and glide, making it difficult to catch and ride waves properly. If the surfer lies too far back, the board’s nose lifts, slowing paddling speed and causing the board to stall before the wave can pick it up. On the other hand, if the surfer lies too far forward, the nose dips underwater during the take-off, nearly guaranteeing a wipeout, especially in small, fast beginner-friendly waves. The goal is to find the neutral position where the board lies flat on the water, gliding smoothly without lifting or nose-diving. This balanced positioning often requires a bit of trial and error, but once found, it improves paddling efficiency, stability, and take-off success dramatically.

A practical way to learn proper positioning is to lie on the board in calm water and notice how the nose behaves. Small adjustments of just a few centimeters can transform the board’s performance, especially on longer softboards.

Mistake 3: Poor Paddling Technique

Incorrect paddling technique quickly exhausts beginners and significantly reduces their chances of catching waves, since inefficient strokes fail to generate forward momentum. Many beginners paddle with arms too wide, movements too short, or wrists bent unnaturally, creating splashing without meaningful propulsion. Others arch excessively or collapse their chest onto the board, straining their back and neck and making the position uncomfortable to maintain. Effective paddling is smooth, deep, and rhythmic, with arms close to the board and the head slightly lifted to look forward. Improving paddling technique is one of the most impactful ways to progress in surfing because it enhances positioning in the lineup, increases stamina, and allows surfers to catch more waves with less effort.

Practicing long, controlled paddle strokes on flat water or during warm-ups can help train proper technique. Relaxing the shoulders and maintaining a steady rhythm are essential for building endurance, especially in cooler water.

Mistake 4: Standing Up Too Late on the Wave

Many beginners wait too long before attempting their pop-up, often due to hesitation or fear of falling, but this delay usually results in missing the wave entirely or wiping out immediately. When the surfer tries to stand once the wave has already steepened or begun to break, the board becomes unstable, leaving little margin for error even on a forgiving softboard. A successful take-off requires building enough speed by paddling strongly right as the wave begins to lift the board, followed by a smooth, committed pop-up without pausing midway. Softboards provide extra stability, but they cannot compensate for a consistently late pop-up. Learning to identify the right moment and acting sooner drastically increases take-off success and overall enjoyment in the water.

Filming practice sessions or asking a friend or instructor to observe can help pinpoint whether take-offs are being attempted too late. Fixing this single mistake can dramatically improve a beginner’s wave count and confidence.

Mistake 5: Not Reading the Waves

Many softboard beginners focus solely on their board or technique without realizing that surfing fundamentally depends on understanding how waves form and break. This lack of awareness often leads to poor positioning, attempts to catch waves that close out immediately, or waiting endlessly where waves never break. Proper wave reading involves spotting where waves begin to peak, determining the direction they will peel, and timing the approach to be in the optimal take-off zone before the wave arrives. Softboards offer the advantage of catching waves earlier thanks to their volume, but this advantage is wasted if the surfer chooses the wrong waves or positions themselves incorrectly. Spending a few minutes observing the ocean before entering the water can provide invaluable insight and drastically accelerate progression.

Wave reading improves naturally with experience, but being attentive to how more advanced surfers position themselves can speed up the learning curve. Better wave selection leads to more rides, less effort, and faster progression.

Mistake 6: Neglecting Softboard Care and Maintenance

Because softboards are durable and designed to withstand impacts, beginners often assume they require no care at all, which leads to damage over time. Leaving the softboard in direct sunlight, storing it wet inside a car, or placing it on rough surfaces can deteriorate the foam, warp the board, or loosen the fins. Although softboards are more resistant than traditional fiberglass boards, they are not indestructible, and neglect can significantly reduce their lifespan. Basic care—such as rinsing the board after each session, avoiding heat exposure, and storing it properly—helps maintain performance, appearance, and buoyancy. Regular inspections of the leash, fin plugs, and deck condition also prevent unexpected issues in the water.

A few simple habits can extend the life of a softboard dramatically. Using a board bag, keeping it out of the sun, and checking accessories before each session are easy steps that ensure safer and more enjoyable surfing.

Quick Tips

Beginner mistakes on softboards are completely normal and an expected part of learning to surf, but recognizing them early helps surfers progress more quickly and with greater confidence. Choosing the right board size, improving positioning and paddling technique, standing up at the right moment, learning to read the waves, and maintaining the board properly all contribute to a smoother progression curve and a more enjoyable overall experience. The key is patience, consistency, and embracing each step of the learning process without comparing oneself to more experienced surfers. With these principles in mind, the softboard becomes an empowering tool that makes surfing accessible, rewarding, and fun.

For continued improvement, taking lessons, practicing consistently, and selecting spots suited to beginner conditions can make a significant difference. Pairing good equipment with mindful technique ensures steady and fulfilling progress.