Starting your surfing journey? The right board makes all the difference. At NSP, our beginner surfboards are designed for stability, buoyancy and ease of use, helping you catch more waves and build confidence from day one. Whether you prefer a soft top for extra safety or a versatile hardboard to grow with your skills, we’ve got the perfect board for you. Learn more about what’s best for you below and get ready to paddle out, stand up, and start having fun!
FIRST, TAKE A LESSON AT A SURF SCHOOL!
If possible take a lesson at a reputable surf school first. The simple tips they give you about ocean conditions, safety, handling the board and drills to practice to get you standing up and most importantly having fun fast is priceless.
FOAM IS YOUR FRIEND
The perfect and fastest board to learn on is a simple, longer, wider and rounder nose design that has enough foam to paddle easily, catch lots of waves, stable to stand on and makes you smile a lot.
Everyone can surf! If you can’t it’s likely that the board you’re using is too small or the wrong design. Foam is your friend, this is never more true than in the early stages.
More foam = more waves = more fun = more surfing = faster progression
A SMALLER SURFBOARD WILL SLOW YOU DOWN
While some people will consider boards in the lower end of the volume recommendations below choosing a board too small will result in less waves, less fun and throwing in the towel on what could be a beautiful relationship with the ocean. Please always refer to the point above.
Foam is your friend, so if you want to see which volume is best for your weight and surfing level, use the NSP Surfboard Recommendation Guide below.
SOFT BOARDS ARE PERFECT!
Soft boards are a great choice as they are a bit safer when you fall. And you will fall. Modern technologies like NSP’s EVO-Tech construction give you the best of both worlds, being both very light and durable with a protective soft outer layer which protects the board and more importantly you.
EVO-tech is designed to surf like a regular hard board with the advantages of being soft. The best bit is these kind of boards are great to progress on as well. You may buy it to start and keep using it forever!
HOW-TO SURF VIDEOS
Do you want to see basic Surfing techniques explained well? Click here for a selection of our How-to surf videos at the bottom of the page; we have many more videos like that!
Pick your preferred weight unit:
| Weight | Volume (Liters) | Size (Feet) | Recommended Surfboards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginning kids | |||
| Up to 50kg | 35-42L | 6'0 6'2 6'4 6'8 |
Hybrid EVO-Tech Funboard EVO-Tech Fish Elements Funboard Elements |
| Beginning adults | |||
| 50-70kg | 42-57L | 6'5 6'8 7'2 7'6 8'0 |
Funboard EVO-Tech Longboard EVO-Tech Sundowner 6'6 or 7'0 |
| 70-90kg | 54-82L | 7'6 8'0 8'2 8'6 9'0 |
Funboard EVO-Tech Longboard EVO-Tech Longboard P2 Basic Longboard Elements Sundowner 8'0 |
| 90kg+ | 73-124L | 9'0 9'2 9'6 10'0 10'2 11'0 |
Longboard Elements Longboard P2 Basic Sundowner 9'0 |
What is the best surfboard for beginners?
Many beginners struggle with stability and control in the water. The best beginner surfboard to help with this is a soft-top between 7’6” and 9’0” longboard, designed for stability, easy paddling, easy wave-catching and making learning to surf more enjoyable.
How do I choose a beginner surfboard?
New surfers often don’t know what size board, shape, or material is best for learning. The key is to choose a board with enough volume (check the Surfboard Recommendation Guide) and a soft foam material to improve balance and reduce the risk of injury.
Are foam surfboards good for beginners?
Some beginners think foam boards are low quality or not suitable for progression. In reality, foam surfboards (soft tops, softboards, or foamies) are excellent for learning due to their buoyancy, stability, safety, and durability, making them ideal for building confidence and mastering the basics.
What size surfboard should a beginner get?
New surfers often choose boards that are too small, making learning more difficult. A board between 7’6” and 9’0” is ideal, depending on weight and height. The general rule: Foam is your friend – the bigger the board, the easier it is to learn on.
Why are longboards better for beginners?
Many first-time surfers think shorter boards are easier to control. However, in reality, a longer board provides more surface area, making it easier to paddle, stand up, and catch waves compared to shorter refined models.
What is the difference between a beginner and an advanced surfboard?
Beginning surfers sometimes misunderstand how board design affects performance. Beginner surfboards have more volume, are longer, wider, and more stable, making it easier to balance and catch waves. Advanced surfers’ boards are shorter, narrower, thinner, and require much more skill and experience to control.
How long does it take to learn the basics of surfing?
Many beginners expect to surf well after just a few sessions, but on average, it takes around 20-30 hours of practice to consistently stand up, ride waves, and feel comfortable in the water. Choosing a stable beginner surfboard can speed up the learning process by making paddling and balancing easier, helping you gain confidence faster.
Can beginners use hard surfboards?
Absolutely! While many beginners start with soft-top surfboards for their forgiving nature and reduced risk of injury, those who feel confident and ready for a hardboard can dive right in. Hardboards offer better performance, more responsiveness, and a direct feel of the wave, helping surfers refine their technique early on. The key is choosing a board with enough volume and stability to ensure a smooth progression.
For those looking for a high-quality hardboard to start on, the NSP Elements or EVO-Tech series are excellent options. They are durable, easy to handle, and designed to help you build confidence in the water while progressing your skills, plus they offer great value for getting you into the water to learn with ease.
How-to pop up (knees first)
How-to catch a green wave
How-to do duck dives
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