Funny thing happened to me and my mate Jack when we went surfing last week. We were trying to pull under a 5 to 6-foot lip but kept being knocked out. After a lot of tries, we managed to nail it though. However, much to our surprise a seal was staring at us, probably the whole time. And I swear it nodded at us giving its ‘approval’! No, we weren’t hallucinating because we got thrown on a reef! But it seemed like it was impressed by our surfboards rather than the mild hint of a feat we pulled.
Whether you believe our crazy experience or not, my point is, that we managed to survive our weakest enemy thanks to the surfboards we chose. There are no best surfboard reviews out there, believe me. It all depends on your preferences.
Anyway, the first and foremost thing to check is how experienced you are with surfing. If this is your first break, then go easy on yourself (and your wallet) and choose a surfboard for beginners. These are lightweight and wide giving you stability on your first foray. If you know your way around the waves, you can opt for shortboards or fish. If you think you are one with the waves you wouldn’t be needing this guide in the first place!
The other things you should check are your height and weight. This is because the surfboard should be able to support your body properly. And that’s not all. Your choice will also depend on the kind of waves you’ll take on. Steeper waves require agile shortboards, while smaller waves need longboards or fishes.
The Top Surfboard Reviews 2018
You should also consider whether surfboarding is a hobby for you or something more. Cheap surfboards or beginner surfboards for adults should be sufficient if this is a weekend activity. For more hardcore needs, you can practice with shortboards or bigger sized fishes.
To get you started off, we have put together a list of some surfboards here. This should give you an idea about what’s it really like out there in the market.
- Giantex 6′ Surfboard Surf Foamie Boards Surfing Beach Ocean Body Boarding Red
This is an amazing starter board with a very catchy design at $65 price. Available in three color combinations, it is very sturdy in construction. There are three detachable fins and a free leash. Assembly is easy, thanks to the instruction manual.
If you are just starting out as an adult or a child, this board should be enough. If you can manage to prevent bathing it in sand, it should last you for a while. However, the max weight it can handle is about 100 lbs.
- North Gear 6ft Surfing Thruster Surfboard Ocean Beach Foamie
A bit costlier as far as surfboard prices go, the Northgear is somewhat similar to the Giantex one. It also has three detachable fins and a free leash. But no instruction manual and a traction pad sets this apart. At $80+, it does not fit the cheap surfboards category. But it’s a good starter longboard nonetheless.
However, be wary of some issues like design peeling off, fins breaking after a few uses. Also, be sure to keep it away from heat or you’ll notice bubbles all over the surface.
- Liquid Shredder FSE EPS/PE Soft Surf Board
This is where you start getting into the mid-level category at the $120+ mark. Ideal for beginners with 100 to 150 lbs weight, it is a neat, lightweight board with detachable fins. But it does not have a leash and may be a bit flimsy for your taste.
It is made from EPS foam, which is quite softer than the epoxy boards. This is a boon if you are prone to injuries. However, the board is also a bit susceptible to scratches. You can wax it, but proper care is a must.
- Catch Surf Beater Original 54 – Twin Fin, Emerald Green, One Size
If you like dual fin designs, then this Catch Surf Beater will fit your bill. The design is a nice black with leopard skin graphic. The wider nose offers additional buoyancy if you are a small wave groveler.
The tapered rails should be a nice offset to squeeze some performance out of it but coming out of a turn will be difficult unless you know what you are doing. This one does not come with a leash, so make sure to use stomp-pads and wax it regularly.
- Rock-It 5’8″ ALBERT Surfboard
Going higher up, the $200 Rock-It ALBERT is a dual-fin design. There is no flashy graphic to speak of, which makes it surprisingly functional. It is a good minimal surfboard with flexible fins and plastic fasteners. The buoyancy of this board is great for a person weighing around 185 lbs.
This is one of the quality soft tops you can get on Amazon. Let out that toothless aggression and ride with confidence again. It does feel a little slippery even though it is a foamie, but intermediate riders will not have any trouble with it.
Judging from the selection, you can opt for the Giantex or Liquid Shredder depending on your budget. These surfboards are ideal if you are not interested in the technical details. They are better than epoxy surfboard brands whose offerings have the potential to cause harm if you are not careful.
If you are a budding surfer who is just starting out, then you can check the Giantex surfboard. It is neither costly nor flimsy and comes with additional goodies. Triple fins, instructions for assembly, detachable fins, included leash and low surfboard cost makes this a clear winner in the foamies.
Last Updated on by Himani Rawat
