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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n1. Get a second hand banger<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Many factors contribute to buying your first surfboard such as budget, weight and how often you\u2019ll use it, but the only thing that matters when you\u2019re out in the water is getting as many waves as you can. It\u2019s inevitable that as a novice surfer you\u2019re going to bash your board about putting it in the car, carrying it down steps, stupidly leaning it upright on a windy day, but that\u2019s fine, it adds battle scars and memories. If you start on a used board, then those dings won\u2019t be as painful, it\u2019ll keep your cost-to-wave ratio down and you’ll will be upgrading in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Don\u2019t sell yourself short<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t learn to surf on a shortboard or board too short for you, it will feel horrible in every way. If it’s not thick enough, long enough, wide enough or all three, you’ll probably sink it paddling, meaning you won’t catch many waves, therefore delay your progression. You may be eager to swap your thick lump for a slinky stick and if you start on a board with enough volume, you’ll be losing inches in no time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Don\u2019t be afraid of the foam<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Foamies \/ soft tops \/ swellies etc are great fun for everyone. They are easy to learn on and perfect for mastering the basics. This is due to their buoyancy, which makes paddling and wave catching as easy as possible. They are also extremely forgiving and won\u2019t poke your eye out if you get knocked in the head. An 8ft foamie should do most adults just fine, 9ft if you\u2019re rather large, 7ft for slight females and 6ft for kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foamies are now a part of a lot of pro surfers quivers due to the mega fun times they offer and the PR from brands. They are also increasingly funtional for the more advanced surfer. Check Harry Timson\u00a0 in the main shot getting properly barrelled in France on one and Nikita Robb out here in Sri Lank<\/a>a also getting some shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an updated version of an article I original wrote 8 years ago (ouch) where I suggested that you might want to get a mini mal. In a massive plot twist this style of board is now more popular than ever and they have even adopted a new name – the mid length. Whatever you want to call them the reasons for choosing this style for your first board remain the same. You’ll probably feel more proud walking down the beach with a \u2018hardboard\u2019 and hopefully will outgrow the limitations of the foamie quite quickly. Second hand mals (mid-lenghts now) hold their value, so budget ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tickettoridegroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Screenshot-2024-11-20-at-10.15.43-1024x679.png\")
4. Maybe a Mal?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u00a3200 for an alright one, \u00a3300 for something really nice<\/s> around \u00a3300+ for a decent second hand one. If you want something to last a while, go against what I suggested at the start and get a custom board that\u2019s perfect for you. Another article on that here<\/a>. Watershed<\/a> in Newquay do beautiful customs as do Quiver surfboards<\/a> <\/s> You will feel like a surfing superstar strolling down the beach with that baby (as long as your fins are facing the right way and your wetsuit isn\u2019t back to front). Here’s a clip of me on a Quiver Surfboards 6’6 (my third one from them) in Bali, way before they were cool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n