SPYDER SURFBOARD REVIEWS

 Or if you like the look of a hard epoxy surfboard, choose a lightweight board with generous volume like our Southern Swells or Pulse surfboard ranges. Learn how to wax your surfboard correctly to ensure you have enough grip all over the board to help you pop up.

 The length of your surfboard can depend on a number of factors such as your own height and weight, and what length you would be comfortable with. In general as a beginner you should choose a surfboard longer than your height, and with plenty of width and volume to aid buoyancy. This helps you to catch waves and balance better on the board. A mini mal surfboard of around 7′ 6″ – 8′ in length is a popular choice for adults and families looking for a versatile surfboard anyone can enjoy. For kids, teenagers and smaller or lighter adults, you could go shorter and opt for either a funboard of around 7′ or 7′ 2″ or even shorter for kids between 6′ and 7′.

 Surfboards come in many different shapes as well as sizes. On a beginner surfboard it is best to go for a board with a rounded nose as that increases buoyancy on the front of the board, improving the ability to paddle into waves. Width is generally important all the way down the board including in the tail to make sure you have plenty of buoyancy when you are up and riding waves. Aim for a surfboard with at least a width of 20″.

 Your optimum surfboard volume depends on your weight and ability primarily, but also the size of the waves you are surfing. See the below chart for a guide to the minimum surfboard volume in litres you should look for based on your weight and ability.

 Welcome my watery friends to my ‘Surfboard Buying Guide 2023’. If you’re here, you must be after some guidance for the sick new stick you’re thinking of buying!

 In this post we’ll be looking at all the major things you need to consider when doing your surfboard buying research. This buying guide is aimed at those new to surfing but can help those of all surfing abilities find their next surfboard.

 Well, the answer to this great question is quite hard to determine. That is because everyone reading this blog post will have different levels of surfing ability.

 Surfers come in many shapes and sizes, but measuring ability has always been tricky. The standard ‘beginner, intermediate, advanced’ is not super descriptive – so I went ahead and created my own surfing ability levels…

 Hopefully, these make what surfing ability level you are a bit more obvious. Knowing this will make the next part of this surfboard buying guide more relevant to you.

 Let me start by saying…picking the wrong first surfboard is one of the most common mistakes new surfers make. I’ve seen so many beginner surfers trying to surf on boards that are either too short and/or have little to no volume.

 But that’s not going to happen here. Below are the two surfboard types that every beginner surfer should start with before moving onto anything else.

 Foam surfboards – The best way to start is to start with the best. Foam surfboards are designed specifically for never surfed before beginners and are perfect for a number of reasons. They hold loads of volume, they’re very durable and typically low cost. If you’ve ever seen a surf school at the beach, this is what they’ll be using. You cannot go wrong with a foam surfboard as a Level 1 surfer.

 Mini mals – A more adventurous choice for a Level 1 would be the mini mal. Having never surfed before these might be a stretch at first but are a great investment if you know surfing is a long term deal. The majority of mini mals still offer great volume and more progression than a foam surfboard.

 Those at this ability level can stand up on a wave most of the time and are trying to really nail down their basic techniques. Level 2’s will also want to start trying out some bottom turns once the basics start to become second nature.

 Mini mals – The perfect choice for a Level 2. Having experienced the surfing basics on a foam surfboard, a mini mal will help that progression for those first turns. High amounts of volume helps keep you catching lots of waves whilst more manoeuvrability will help you start progressing that bottom turn.

 Longboards – The longboard is another worthy choice for a Level 2 surfer. With more volume and straight line speed than a mini mal this is another good option for surfers wanting to progress. This is the longest surfboard though so keep storage and transportation in mind.

 Funboards – The ‘out there’ choice for a Level 2. With less volume then both the longboard and the mini mal, a funboard offers less in stability. However, in return this surfboard type is much more manoeuvrable and so is great for offering long term surfing progression.

 Most Level 3 surfers will probably have owned their own surfboard by this time as well. The pop-up technique is solid and the bottom turns are starting to progress.

 Funboards – Offering a great balance between wave catching ability and manoeuvrability is the funboard. The safer choice for a Level 3 but great for keeping that wave count up to continue improving those bottom turns. These surfboards perform well in a wide range of conditions so are a great addition to any surfboard quiver.

Spyder Surfboard reviews

 Fish surfboards – The more daring choice for a Level 3 surfer who wants to shorten their board. Fish surfboards are perfect for those mushy conditions and easier to transport than the funboard. Watch out though, with less volume and length comes less stability and a harder time paddling

 Longboards – Yes the longboard makes it’s second appearance on this list. Level 3’s are all about perfecting their bottom turns and longboards are a great surfboard to do that on. The length means they catch green waves for days and the volume gives that stability to do super chilled out big, slow turns.

 If you’re this far down the list then you probably already know this stuff. You’ve mastered the bottom turn and are ironing out the creases in your cutbacks.

 Fish surfboards – The fish surfboard type is a great shape for Level 4’s and offer fun in typical UK mush. The swallow tail creates two pivot points to allow for more manoeuvrability in both directions. Available in sizes ranges from 5ft 4 all the way to 6ft 4.

 Shortboards – The most common surfboard for a Level 4 surfer. The shortboard provides the highest level of performance in the right conditions. With a narrower shape and squarer tail then the fish, the shortboard generates great speed on a wave and is capable of rapid turns and cutbacks.

 Now, if you’re actually a big wave legend (as in you eat 15ft swells for breakfast) than that’s actually mental. By now you’ll know every trick in the book and have a huge amount of surfing experience.

 Gun – When there’s big waves chasing you down there’s only one surfboard type you want under your feet, that surfboard is the gun. With its long shape, narrow profile and large rocker, this thing was designed to help you outrun the biggest waves in the ocean.

 Gun – When there’s big waves chasing you down there’s only one surfboard type you want under your feet, that surfboard is the gun. With its long shape, narrow profile and large rocker, this thing was designed to help you outrun the biggest waves in the ocean.

 The next bit of this surfboard buying guide is trying to nail down what size surfboard you need. Again, this is quite difficult to do as I’ve seen plenty of big guys rip on small boards. For arguments sake, take the below tables with a pinch of salt.