What size surfboard should a beginner use?

Indice

If you are reading this, the “bug” has probably already bitten you. You’ve felt the energy of the ocean, maybe tried a single lesson, or simply decided that this is the year you are going to learn to glide on waves. And then comes the big question, the one that fills internet forums and the heads of every rookie: What size surfboard should I buy or rent?

I’m going to be very honest with you from the very first line: the number one mistake made by 90% of people starting out is buying a board that is too small. We all want to look like the pros we see on Instagram with their sharp, lightweight “shortboards,” but trying to learn on that is like trying to learn to drive in a Formula 1 car: you’re going to crash at the first corner.

In surfing, your best friend at the beginning is volume. As experts who have spent years watching students progress in the Canary Islands, I assure you that the key to enjoying yourself and avoiding frustration is choosing a board that forgives your mistakes.

In this article, we are going to break down exactly what you need, why size matters so much, and how to choose your ideal dance partner for those first whitewash rides and green walls.

Best Place to Surf in the Canary Islands

Key Characteristics: What Defines a Good Beginner Board

To get straight to the point: A beginner surfer should choose an epoxy or soft-top (foam) board with plenty of volume and stability, generally between 7 and 9 feet (2.13-2.74 m) long.

Longer and wider boards, known as “funboards” or “mini-mals,” make paddling and standing up enormously easier. Here, the magic concept is volume (measured in liters): the more volume, the greater the buoyancy. And the more buoyancy, the easier it will be to catch waves, even the smallest and mushiest ones, which are the ones you will learn on.

Let’s look at the four pillars you should look for:

Size (Length): Between 7 and 9 feet. This gives you a long waterline that helps maintain speed and direction.
Volume: This is the amount of space the board occupies. More liters = easier.
Width: We are looking for generous measurements, around 20.5 to 22.5 inches. This prevents the board from wobbling side to side.
Shape: Rounded noses and wide tails.

What Are Beginner Surfboards Like?

Beginner boards have a unique mission: to make it easy for you. When someone is new to this sport, they have to manage many things at once: reading the ocean, balance, paddling, and the famous “pop-up” (standing up). If the board is unstable, the equation becomes impossible.

That’s why beginner boards are, in a word: big.

They have a very generous distribution of foam from the nose to the tail. Unlike high-performance boards, which are thin with sharp rails for turning fast, a beginner board seeks lateral stability. Imagine the difference between trying to stand on a tightrope (shortboard) or a wide bench (beginner board).

The first thing students notice is the size of the boards we hand them. Sometimes they are surprised, but after the first hour in the water, they understand why: that big board is what allows them to catch 15 waves in a session instead of none.

Surf lesson for begginers in Tenerife

Choose the Ideal Volume, Width, and Length

This is where we get into technical territory, but it is fundamental. Don’t be scared of the numbers; they are your compass.

Volume (Liters)

This is the most important factor today. In the past, people only looked at height, but volume determines how much you will float.

For an average adult (70-80 kg): Look for boards with at least 50 to 60 liters if you are an absolute beginner.
For children: They can start with 30-40 liters.
Golden Rule: If in doubt, choose the one with more liters. You will never regret having “too much” buoyancy at the beginning, but you will regret having too little.

Width

Width is measured in inches. A narrow board (18-19 inches) is very twitchy; at the slightest shift of weight in your feet, it will tip, and you will fall. To learn, look for a width between 21 and 23 inches. This provides a stable platform. It allows you to make mistakes in foot placement without the board throwing you into the water immediately.

Length

Here we go back to feet (1 foot = 30.48 cm).

Less than 7 feet: Generally advised against for your first board, unless you are a child or very light.
7 to 8 feet: The ideal range for most adults (funboards/evolutionary boards).
Over 9 feet: We enter Longboard territory. They are excellent for learning but harder to transport and handle out of the water.

Ensure Correct Buoyancy

Buoyancy isn’t just to keep you from sinking. Its main function is paddling speed.

Surfing is 90% paddling and 10% standing. If your board has low buoyancy, it will sink when you climb on to paddle. This creates drag with the water. You will get twice as tired and move half as fast. Result: the wave will pass underneath you, and you won’t catch it.

A board with the correct buoyancy glides on the water, not through it. This allows you to enter the wave earlier, when it is not yet too vertical, giving you those precious extra seconds to do the “take off” calmly.

Look for the Following Materials

Not all boards are made equal. To start, there are two undisputed kings: Soft-top and sturdy Epoxy.

Soft-Top Boards (Foamies)

These are the queens of initiation. They are covered in a soft material similar to EVA foam.

Advantage: If it hits you (and it will), it doesn’t hurt. They are safe for you and others in the water.
Durability: They withstand bumps, sun, and rough handling. Any reputable <a href=”https://kaizensurfschool.es/en/pagina-inicio-ingles/“>surf school tenerife</a> will use this material for their beginner levels purely for safety and efficiency.

Epoxy / Hard Fiber

This is the next step. They have a foam core but are coated with hard resin.

Advantage: They are stiffer, which translates to greater speed and response once you know how to do basic turns.
Disadvantage: They are more fragile, and bumps hurt more. Recommended only when you already control your balance and know how to avoid collisions.

With a Rounded Nose

The shape of the tip of the board, the “nose,” says a lot about its character.

Pointy nose: Designed to “cut” the water in radical turns and so the board doesn’t get caught in very hollow waves. You don’t need this yet.
Rounded nose: This is what you are looking for. Having more area in the nose makes the board much more stable when paddling and entering the wave. It allows you to shift your weight forward without the board sinking nose-first (“nose-diving”). That extra stability in the front is the safety net every beginner needs.

The Evolutionary Board and the Malibu, Perfect for Beginners!

If you go to a shop or rent, you will likely encounter these two names. They are learning’s best friends.

The Evolutionary Board (Funboard)

It is the perfect hybrid. It usually measures between 6’8″ and 7’6″. It has a rounded nose and plenty of volume, but the tail is slightly narrower, which will allow you to start practicing your first turns and basic maneuvers once you master standing up. It is the ideal transition board: big enough to learn, agile enough not to bore you after 6 months.

Malibu Boards (Mini-Mal)

Inspired by classic longboards but smaller (between 7’6″ and 8’6″). They are authentic wave-catching machines. Their large gliding surface makes them incredibly stable. They are perfect for small wave days and for surfers looking for a relaxed style with long, fluid lines. If you decide to spend a week of total immersion at a <a href=”https://kaizensurfschool.es/en/surfcamp-in-tenerife-south/“>surf camp in Tenerife</a>, it is very likely that you will find yourself surfing your best waves with one of these beauties under your feet, enjoying the ride all the way to the shore.

Additional Tips: Weight and Height

To fine-tune your choice, cross-reference general data with your physique:

Consider your weight: This is the critical factor for volume. A 90 kg person will sink a 40-liter board, making it unstable. That same board for a 55 kg person will be a very stable boat.
- Quick rule: Your weight in kg + 10 = Minimum recommended liters to start (e.g., 70kg -> look for 80 liters in a softboard).
Consider your height: Taller surfers can benefit from longer models (8 feet or more) to maintain correct posture and not have their feet too close together or hanging off the board.

Don’t be afraid of “big” boards. There is an absurd stigma about carrying big boards. Get that out of your head. The best surfer in the water is the one having the most fun, and I assure you that you will have much more fun catching 20 waves with an 8-foot log than fighting with a shortboard all afternoon catching nothing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here we answer the quick doubts you usually have before renting or buying.

How long is a beginner surfboard?

Ideally, it should measure between 7 feet (2.13 meters) and 9 feet (2.74 meters). If it is your first contact, the closer to 8 or 9 feet, the better.

What size board should a beginner buy?

If you are going to buy your first board, a 7’0″ to 7’6″ Funboard (Evolutionary) (if you are of average height and weight) is the smartest investment. It will serve you for learning and you will continue to use it on small wave days even when you know how to surf.

What surfboard should I use to start?

Without a doubt: a Softboard (foamie) between 7 and 8 feet. It is safe, floats a lot, is cheap, and will allow you to learn basic technique without fear of hurting yourself.

What size surfboard do I need?

It depends on your weight.

Children / Light adults (< 60kg): 6’6″ to 7’0″.
Average adults (60-80kg): 7’2″ to 7’10”.
Large adults (> 80kg): 8’0″ to 9’0″.

How to choose the right size for your surfboard?

Don’t just look at the height of the board; look at the liters (volume). Make sure the board reaches, when standing next to you, at least a head above you (about 30-40 cm more than your height) and has enough width for you to feel comfortable paddling.

What surfboard do I need if I am 1.70m?

If you are 1.70m tall and have a proportional weight (about 65-75 kg), your ideal board to start with would be a funboard or mini-mal between 7’2″ and 7’6″. It will give you perfect stability without being an unmanageable “boat” for your height.

Choosing your first board well is the first step to falling in love with surfing. Forget trends, seek volume and stability, and get ready to enjoy. See you in the lineup!