In order to be able to learn how to surf properly, a beginner needs a good surfboard. You might be eager to run out and buy yourself your first board but, before you go, it’s worth doing some serious research. So before spending your hard-earned cash on a new board, there are some factors to consider.
The first point to think about is that no matter how much you spend on a surfboard, it will get scratched, nicked, and beaten up. With this in mind, choose something affordable rather than fancy. The expensive boards are not worth your money when you are just starting, so choose cheap and it will be kinder to your wallet.
The second factor to bear in mind is that shape doesn’t really matter when you’re starting off. If you want a pintail, a swallowtail or another shape, that’s fine. If you want 1 fin, 2 fins, or 3 fins, that’s ok. When you are learning, you can work with almost any board because you won’t be doing tricks or anything too fancy at the start.
The main issue to consider, when choosing the shape of a surfboard, is the size and thickness. You want something big and fat, that will float well and move over the water easily. Once you get better at surfing, you can start using a sleeker board but, for the beginning, you want something big and easy to stay on top of.
It is possible to find surfboards that are designed for beginners. These boards are usually made out of materials that are more flexible and softer. They are generally considered safer and less likely to injure you and, although they are not ideal for tricks and stunts, they are perfect for newbies.
The main factors for your new surfboard are cheapness, availability, and how easy they are to learn with. The board is certainly important, but not as vital as getting out there and catching your first waves. The only way you will learn is though experience, so work with what you can get.