Choosing the right surfboard is an essential step to progress, enjoy the water, and surf in good conditions. An ill-suited board can hinder learning, make paddling difficult, or complicate the take-off. Conversely, a well-chosen board allows you to gain stability, confidence, and efficiency from the very first sessions.
To choose the right surfboard, several criteria must be taken into account: the surfer's height, weight, level, the type of waves surfed, and the desired objective. Foam boards, also known as softboards, are particularly recommended for beginners or for those looking to progress with peace of mind.
Choosing a surfboard based on your size
The surfer's height plays a key role. The taller you are, the more length and volume you need to ensure stability. This is even truer for beginners, who should prioritize a board that is easy to paddle and forgiving during take-off.
General guideline:
• Small beginner: 6'0 to 7'0 softboard
• Medium/tall beginner: 7'0 to 8'0 softboard
• Tall beginner or complete novice: 8'0 and above
A wide and voluminous softboard distributes weight better and provides better balance when standing. Epoxy boards can be a bit shorter for equivalent skill levels, but they are less forgiving.
Choosing your surfboard based on your weight
Weight is one of the most important criteria. A board must offer enough volume to float correctly and allow the surfer to paddle effectively. If the board lacks volume, it sinks, becomes slow to paddle, and makes catching waves difficult.
Volume is measured in liters: the heavier you are, the more volume you need. A thick, wide, high-volume softboard will always be more accessible than a thin, narrow board.
Example benchmark: an 8'0 softboard is often an excellent choice for a beginner adult. It combines stability, buoyancy, and ease of paddling, and allows for catching more waves, thus progressing faster.
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Why choose a softboard?
Security
Soft foam construction that greatly reduces the risk of injury, for you and for other surfers around. Ideal in crowded areas and during falls.
Stability
Generous width, thickness, and volume distribute your weight and make it easier to balance once standing. You'll get up more easily and stay on the board longer.
Progress
You catch more waves, you repeat more take-offs. And in surfing, repetition is what makes you progress. A suitable softboard saves you weeks of learning.
Accessibility
Volume helps you float, so you can paddle without getting exhausted. You position yourself better in the wave, you catch more sets, and you enjoy each session more.
Level and type of practice
The surfer's skill level is another determining factor. For a beginner, the priority should be stability, safety, and ease of catching waves. In this case, a softboard is the most logical choice. Its foam construction limits the risk of injury, especially during falls or in crowded areas. It also allows for learning the basics of surfing with more confidence.
For an intermediate surfer, it's possible to choose a shorter or higher-performance softboard, with a shape closer to a classic surfboard. This type of board allows you to start working on trajectories, turns, and wave positioning, while maintaining good forgiveness. Some modern softboards now offer very good sensations, even for experienced surfers.
Unlike epoxy boards, which are stiffer, more demanding, and much less forgiving of mistakes, a softboard allows you to make mistakes. It absorbs imprecise positioning, imperfect take-offs, and falls—exactly what you need to keep progressing without getting discouraged or injured.
The type of waves also matters. In small, mushy waves, a board with volume will be more effective. In hollower or faster waves, a more maneuverable board might be interesting. For the majority of beginner and recreational surfers, however, a versatile softboard remains the best compromise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size softboard for a beginner?
Generally, an adult beginner will feel comfortable on a softboard between 7'0 and 8'0. The taller you are or the more you're starting out, the more you'll benefit from extra volume and length. An 8'0 remains one of the best universal choices for learning in good conditions.
Should I start with a softboard or go straight for an epoxy board?
A softboard is almost always the best starting point. Its foam limits the risk of injury, its volume makes paddling easier, and its shape forgives placement errors. An epoxy board is faster and more precise, but it requires a solid technical level to enjoy it.
At what level can you change boards?
When you can paddle effortlessly, regularly catch waves at take-off, and start to go down the line and turn, you can consider a shorter or higher-performance softboard. No need to switch to epoxy right away — there are now progressive softboards that grow with your skills.
How do I know if a board has enough volume for me?
The simple benchmark: if you can paddle without getting exhausted, catch waves easily, and stay stable once standing, the volume is right. If you struggle to paddle or the board sinks, you need more volume — so longer, wider, or thicker.
Which board for small, weak waves?
Volume is your best ally. A wide, thick, voluminous softboard glides even in weak conditions, where a thin and narrow board would stall. That's also what makes the softboard perfect for summer conditions on the Landes or Basque coast.
Can you surf competitively with a softboard?
Yes, there are even dedicated categories and softboards designed for performance. But for traditional competitions, most experienced surfers switch to epoxy. The softboard remains unbeatable for fun, learning, and playful sessions.
Which board should I choose to improve?
To choose your surfboard, you need to find the right balance between size, weight, skill level, and surf conditions. A board that is too small or too technical may hinder progress, while a board with sufficient volume allows you to catch more waves and quickly gain confidence.
The softboard is today one of the best options for beginners, for progressing, or for surfing without pressure. It is stable, safe, easy to use, and suitable for many profiles. Where an epoxy board will require a solid technical level and be unforgiving of mistakes, the softboard accompanies you from your first sessions and continues to be a real pleasure, even as you progress.
In summary: prioritize volume, stability, and ease of paddling. A board adapted to your build will make you enjoy being in the water more, progress faster, and fully enjoy every session.
