The Best Beginner Surfboards for Learning to Surf
Choosing your first surfboard is exciting — but it can also feel like stepping into a maze of shapes, sizes, fins, and surf jargon. The good news? As a beginner surfer, you don’t need the latest high-performance design or a board meant for pros. What you do need is a board with the right volume, stability, and forgiveness to help you progress confidently.
Before you shop, it’s helpful to understand where you are on your surfing journey. Are you looking for a board that makes paddling easier? One that helps you practice trim and ride your first green waves? Or are you wondering whether a foam surfboard or a traditional hard board is best for learning?
Below is your complete guide to choosing the best beginner surfboard, whether you’re stepping onto a board for the first time or ready to take the next step in your progression.
Check out our 5 Reasons To Join A Surf Retreat (Even If You’re A Beginner) Blog!
The Best Beginner Surfboard for First Timers
If you’re completely new to surfing, your top priority should be stability, safety, and easy paddling. This is why seasoned surf coaches (including us here in Santa Catalina) recommend starting with a soft-top foam board.
Why foam boards are ideal for first-timers
They’re soft, which means fewer injuries for you and everyone around you.
They offer high volume, making paddling smoother and catching waves much easier.
They provide a stable platform to practice the pop-up and get comfortable with balance.
For most beginners, a 9 ft foam surfboard hits the sweet spot. It gives you the buoyancy needed to paddle efficiently, catch waves early, and build consistency — all without fighting the board.
Surfboards for Progression & Riding Green Waves
Once you’ve mastered your pop-up and feel confident paddling into waves, you’ll be ready for one of the most exciting milestones of surfing: riding open-faced, green waves down the line.
This is where transitioning from a foamie to a traditional longboard can transform your experience.
Why longboards help
Their glide and rail engagement allow you to practice trim smoothly.
You’ll learn to read the wave face and maintain speed more naturally.
A longboard with a wide nose and 2+1 fin setup gives you control, stability, and room to progress without jumping into a board that’s too advanced.
Soft boards can ride green waves, but a proper longboard makes this stage more rewarding and intuitive.
Surfboards for Learning to Turn & Downsizing
When you’ve put in your hours on a longboard and feel comfortable with timing, positioning, and trimming along the wave’s face, you can start exploring boards with more maneuverability.
The perfect next step? A mid-length surfboard.
Why mid-lengths work so well
They offer a balance of stability and performance.
They paddle easily yet respond better to turns.
They help bridge the gap between longboarding and shorter performance shapes.
Mid-lengths typically range from 7'0” to 8'6”, making them the ultimate surfboard for beginners aiming to eventually ride shorter boards — without skipping essential fundamentals.
Finding Your First Shortboard
Not all shortboards are made for learning. The highly refined boards ridden by pros are built for speed, precision, and powerful surfing — not mellow beach breaks or new surfers.
What to look for in a beginner-friendly shortboard
Volume above 35 liters
A slightly wider outline
A more forgiving rail and rocker profile
Shapes like fish surfboards that catch waves easily
These features help you paddle efficiently and catch waves earlier, instead of struggling with a board that’s too advanced for everyday conditions.
Every expert surfer once stared at a wall of boards wondering which one would float them best — you’re in good company.
Try Different Beginner Surfboards in Santa Catalina
If you’re unsure about which board to commit to — or can’t find the right one before your trip to Panama — we’ve got you covered.
At Waluaa Surf & Yoga Retreat, we offer a curated selection of beginner surfboard rentals, including foam boards, longboards, mid-lengths, and beginner-friendly shortboards. You can try multiple sizes and shapes as you progress while surfing the gentle beach break at Playa Estero.
For travel tips, surf advice, or information about joining us in Santa Catalina, visit our website and explore everything our retreats have to offer.
Choosing the right board is the first step — and from there, every wave brings you closer to confidence, ease, and joy in the water. 🌊✨
For more information on traveling in Panama, our surf and yoga retreat offers, or to stay up to date on all things surf travel, head to our website.
