Purchasing your first surfboard can be a confusing experience.
What sort of board do I buy?
How much should I spend?
Soft or Hard?
The choices are endless! With well over half a century of surfboard development behind us, surfing technology has come a long way. Modern surfboards make learning to surf a much more pleasurable experience. Beginners Surfboards these days are lighter, safer and tougher than their ancestors.
The Soft Board
Soft Boards are the most popular type of beginner Surfboard and with good reason too. They are extremely buoyant so paddling is easy as it gets. Soft Surfboards have increased buoyancy, grip and stability to that of a regular fibreglass board. Their length is usually between 7 & 10 feet, this is due to the simple fact that the larger the board is the easier it is to balance.
The soft, rubber-like material that makes up the top surface of the surfboard gives it a great deal of stability. The foam material will hold up to the toughest of treatment. At the same time it’s safe enough that if you lose your board into a crowd of swimmers, you won’t go hurting anyone. The Base of the board consists of a smooth, yet still soft skin. It is this skin that reduces friction with the surface of the water and allows you to glide with some of the speed of a fibreglass board.
What height Surfboard should I buy?
If you are looking at getting a Surfboard then length will be something to consider. Most people will learn on a board that is a few feet longer than them. Just remember, the longer the board the more stability you will have. If you are a heavier person then perhaps something a little thicker than normal would be a good idea. For a fantastic height and weight matrix, visit this site.
New or Used?
The answer to this will largely depend on your budget. Something else to take into consideration is how often you will be using the board. Someone who uses it regularly is going to progress faster and will outgrow a soft surfboard very quickly. Due to the hard wearing construction of the soft surfboard there are plenty of used ones in good enough condition to learn on. A resource for finding used soft Surfboards can be found here
Should I get lessons?
To put it simply, YES! Just because you have friends that surf doesn’t mean that they are good surf instructors. Surfing is an individual thing, you need to learn a few basic techniques and skill first but once you have them down you can begin to refine it into your own and unique style. So go and get yourself a proper lesson and have an instructor teach you those all important basics. Having a good quality instructional DVD or book is also a handy thing to have around.
An instructor will also take you through all the safety procedures. Things like, where is it safe to surf? And how to spot a rip or undertow? These are incredibly important things to know. An instructor will also teach you the rules of the surf. When surfing, there is a globally recognised set of rules that governs who has “right of way” in different situations. Learning these rules is a must if you want to survive in the crowds.
The most important thing to remember when learning to surf is “be patient”. Surfing is a tricky sport to get the hang of. Each ride only last’s a few seconds so the time spent actually standing up is much less than that of say, snowboarding or skateboarding. It is for this reason it can take a little more time to get to that next level but trust me on this, it’s worth it.
About the Author:
A Stedman is committed to assisting those looking to start in the world of surfing. Since stepping onto his first board over 20 years ago it has changed his life. He hopes it can do for other what it has done for him.
A fantastic place to browse for used soft surfboards is at A fantastic place to browse for used soft surfboards is http://www.boardauctions.com/Water-Sports/surfboardsforsale!
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Soft Surfboards – Choosing a Softboard Surfboard, the best surfboard for beginners
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