Starting surfing is exciting, but choosing your first surfboard can be confusing. Walk into a surf shop or look online and you will quickly find shortboards, longboards, fish, funboards, mini-mals and soft-top foam boards.
So, what is actually the best surfboard for a beginner?
For most new surfers, the answer is simple: a stable, wide, relatively thick board with plenty of volume.
For most beginners, that means starting with a soft-top foam surfboard, mini-malibu or large funboard, rather than jumping straight onto a small performance shortboard.
If you are learning to surf around Yorkshire, there is another important question:
Where should you actually buy your first surfboard?
In this guide, we’ll look at the best beginner board shapes and sizes, followed by some of the Yorkshire surf shops where you can get advice, try equipment and buy a board.
What Makes a Good Beginner Surfboard?
A beginner surfboard needs to make learning as easy as possible.
When you start surfing, you’re learning several things at once:
- Paddling
- Catching waves
- Getting your balance
- Standing up
- Turning
- Reading waves
- Positioning yourself
- Learning surf etiquette
A board that is too small or unstable makes all of these things harder.
The ideal beginner board should therefore provide:
Stability
A wider board gives you a more stable platform when lying down, sitting and standing.
Volume
Volume is measured in litres. More volume generally means more flotation, making paddling and catching smaller waves easier.
Length
A longer board generally makes it easier to catch waves and provides greater stability.
Width
Width gives beginners a larger platform to stand on and makes learning the pop-up easier.
A forgiving shape
A rounded or fuller outline is generally easier to learn on than a narrow performance board.
Foam Surfboards – Usually the Best Place to Start
For many beginners, a soft-top foam surfboard is the best first board.
They are particularly suitable for:
- First-time surfers
- Children and teenagers
- Adults learning to surf
- Surf-school lessons
- Small summer waves
- Practising your pop-up
A foam board is also more forgiving when you fall onto it.
That makes it particularly useful when you’re still developing your balance and board control.
What Size Foam Board Should You Buy?
There isn’t one perfect size for everybody.
Your height, weight, fitness and surfing ability all matter.
As a general starting point:
| Surfer | Typical Beginner Board |
|---|---|
| Small child | 6–7 ft |
| Older child / lightweight teenager | 7–8 ft |
| Lightweight adult | 7–8 ft |
| Average-size adult | 8–9 ft |
| Larger adult | 9 ft+ |
These are only guidelines.
Volume is often more useful than length alone.
A 7’6″ board with plenty of volume can be much easier to learn on than a thin 8’0″ board.
Longboards – Excellent for Learning
A traditional longboard is another excellent beginner option.
Longboards are generally around 8–9 ft or longer.
Their length and volume make them excellent for catching waves early.
They are particularly useful when waves are small and weak.
Advantages of a longboard
- Excellent stability
- Easy paddling
- Catches smaller waves
- Helps beginners learn wave positioning
- Great for smaller summer surf
- Can remain useful as your surfing improves
The downside is that a large longboard can be more difficult to transport and handle on the beach.
Funboards – A Great Step Between Foamie and Shortboard
A funboard is a great option for someone who has progressed beyond their first foam board but isn’t ready for a shortboard.
Funboards are shorter than traditional longboards while retaining plenty of width and volume.
They offer a useful combination of:
Stability + paddle power + manoeuvrability
For example, a board around 7’0″–8’0″ can be an excellent progression board for an adult who has already learned the basics.
Mini-Malibu Surfboards
The mini-mal, or mini-malibu, is another popular beginner shape.
These boards generally have:
- Plenty of volume
- A wide outline
- A rounded nose
- A forgiving shape
- Good stability
They are particularly useful for smaller waves.
A mini-mal can also remain useful as your surfing improves, making it potentially better long-term value than a very basic first board.
Fish Surfboards – Are They Good for Beginners?
Fish surfboards can be tempting because they look fun and are often shorter than traditional beginner boards.
However, I wouldn’t normally recommend a small fish as your first-ever surfboard.
Although fish boards can have plenty of width and volume, their shorter length can make them more difficult for a complete beginner.
They are generally better suited to someone who already understands:
- Wave positioning
- Paddling
- Catching waves
- Standing consistently
- Basic turning
Once you’ve developed those skills, a larger fish can be a great option for smaller waves.
Shortboards – Don’t Rush Into One
One of the biggest mistakes new surfers make is buying a board that looks like the boards ridden by advanced surfers.
A small shortboard may look exciting, but it can be extremely frustrating for a beginner.
A shortboard generally has:
- Less volume
- Less stability
- Less paddle power
- A narrower outline
- Greater sensitivity to positioning
That means you need better technique to catch waves and stay balanced.
Learn to surf first. Then buy the performance board.
How Much Volume Does a Beginner Need?
There isn’t one universal litre-per-kilogram formula that works perfectly for everyone.
However, beginners generally benefit from more volume than experienced surfers.
Many adult beginners will find something around 50–70+ litres much easier to learn on than a low-volume board, although larger or heavier surfers may need considerably more.
Don’t become obsessed with one number.
Think about the complete board:
Length + width + thickness + volume + shape
all work together.
Beginner Surfboards for Yorkshire Conditions
Yorkshire is an interesting place to learn because conditions can change dramatically.
You can have clean, manageable waves one day and messy, powerful surf the next.
The Yorkshire coast includes popular surf areas such as Saltburn, Whitby, Scarborough and Cayton Bay, each of which can offer different conditions depending on swell, wind and tide.
The North York Moors National Park specifically highlights Saltburn, Sandsend, Scarborough’s North and South Bays and Whitby’s West Cliff as suitable areas for learning, while noting that Cayton Bay can produce more powerful conditions.
For smaller Yorkshire waves, having plenty of volume can be a huge advantage.
A 7’6″–9’0″ foam board, mini-mal or funboard can help you catch waves that a small shortboard would struggle to catch.
Where to Buy a Beginner Surfboard in Yorkshire
One of the best pieces of advice I can give a new surfer is:
Buy from a surf shop if you can.
Buying online can be convenient, but a good local surf shop can actually look at you, your ability and the type of waves you intend to surf.
That can be much more useful than simply selecting a board from a website.
Here are some Yorkshire options worth checking.
Saltburn Surf Shop – Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Saltburn Surf Shop
Location: The Pier Car Park / Lower Promenade, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1HQ
Saltburn Surf Shop is one of the most obvious places to look if you’re surfing the Yorkshire/North East coast.
The shop sells surfboards and currently lists a selection including 7’0″ and 7’2″ mini-mals, 8′ soft boards, 9′ longboards and other beginner-friendly shapes.
They also offer surfboard hire, including foam and hard boards. Current listed hire includes foam boards and hard boards, making it possible to try equipment before committing to a purchase.
That can be particularly useful for a beginner.
My advice: If you’re unsure whether you want a 7’6″, 8′ or 9′ board, speak to the shop and consider hiring first.
Saltburn Surf Shop – surfboards
Saltburn Surf School – Another Good Option for Beginners
Saltburn Surf School has been providing surfing coaching since 1983 and offers lessons, equipment hire and new and second-hand surf equipment.
For a complete beginner, this can be a very good way of deciding what board you actually need.
Instead of buying a board before you’ve properly learned, take a lesson, use the school’s equipment and then ask the instructors what they think would suit you.
Scarborough Surf School & Cayton Bay Surf Shop
Cayton Bay Surf Shop and Scarborough Surf School
Location: Killerby Cliff, Scarborough, YO11 3NR
This is another particularly useful option for beginners.
Scarborough Surf School’s Cayton Bay centre stocks beginner-friendly foam-top boards from Alder and Softech, with 7 ft, 8 ft and 9 ft options available for learners.
They also offer harder mini-mals and longboards as progression boards, including boards from approximately 6’8″ to 9’6″, along with demo boards.
One particularly useful feature is the try-before-you-buy approach. Their demo equipment allows surfers to try different boards, and the school says that if you subsequently buy a new board, the hire charge can be refunded.
For someone buying their first board, that’s a very sensible way of doing it.
Dexters Surf Shop – Scarborough
Dexters Surf Shop
Location: Unit 5, Kepwick House, Peasholm Gap, North Bay Promenade, Scarborough, YO12 7TN
Dexters is based directly on Scarborough’s North Bay and has been involved in the local surf scene for many years.
The shop also operates a surf school and offers equipment rental throughout the year.
For a beginner, being able to combine lessons + local knowledge + equipment advice can be extremely useful.
Secret Spot – Scarborough
Secret Spot
Location: 4 Pavilion Terrace, Scarborough, YO11 2JU
Secret Spot is another Scarborough surf shop worth checking when looking for equipment locally.
If you’re shopping around Scarborough, I would recommend visiting more than one shop rather than buying the first board you see.
Different shops may have different brands, shapes and used equipment available.
Other Yorkshire Surf Shops
Depending on where you live, there are other shops and watersports businesses worth investigating.
Juice Boardsports – West Yorkshire
Juice Boardsports
Location: Unit 3, Linfit Court, Clayton West, Huddersfield, HD8 9WL
This is an option for surfers in West Yorkshire who don’t want to travel straight to the coast.
Robin Hood Watersports – Heckmondwike
Robin Hood Watersports
Location: 152 Leeds Road, Heckmondwike, WF16 9BJ
Another West Yorkshire watersports retailer worth checking for equipment.
Important: Stock changes regularly, so contact the shop before travelling specifically for a particular surfboard.
Don’t Forget Whitby
Whitby Surf School
Whitby’s West Cliff is recognised as a good place to learn or progress your surfing, with a large shallow-gradient sandy beach.
If you’re regularly surfing Whitby, it is worth talking to local instructors before buying.
They will know the local conditions and can give you practical advice about the type of board that will work best for your ability.
Try Before You Buy
This is probably the most important addition to the whole guide.
Don’t buy your first board blindly.
If you’re spending several hundred pounds on a surfboard, try to get some experience on different boards first.
For example, you could:
1. Take a surf lesson
Learn the basics with a suitable beginner board.
2. Hire a board
Try a 7 ft, 8 ft and 9 ft board if possible.
3. Talk to local surfers
Ask what they ride and why.
4. Speak to a local surf shop
Tell them your height, weight, ability and where you surf.
5. Buy once you know what works
This can save you money in the long run.
New or Second-Hand?
Don’t automatically assume you need a brand-new surfboard.
A good-quality used board can be an excellent beginner purchase.
Second-hand boards can be particularly good if you’re not sure how long you will stay with surfing.
However, inspect the board carefully.
Check for:
- Cracks
- Delamination
- Water damage
- Soft spots
- Damaged fins
- Damaged leash plugs
- Poor-quality repairs
- Excessive dents
On a hard board, pay particular attention to cracks and repairs.
If water has entered the board, there can be considerably more damage inside than you can see from the outside.
Buying From Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace and local surf groups can sometimes have excellent bargains.
However, be careful.
Don’t buy a board simply because it is cheap.
Ask:
- What is the board’s volume?
- How old is it?
- Has it been repaired?
- Has it taken on water?
- Are the fins included?
- Is the leash plug sound?
- What is the board’s actual condition?
- Why is the owner selling it?
If possible, inspect the board in person.
A £150 bargain isn’t a bargain if you need to spend another £200 repairing it.
Don’t Forget the Fins
Your surfboard isn’t complete without fins.
Beginner boards commonly use simple fin systems.
When buying a used board, check whether the fins are included.
Replacement fins can become an unexpected extra expense.
If you’re unsure which fins you need, ask your local surf shop.
You Also Need a Leash
A surfboard leash is essential equipment.
The leash connects your ankle to the board and stops the board disappearing down the beach when you fall off.
Make sure you buy an appropriate leash for the size and type of board you are using.
Don’t simply buy the cheapest leash available.
What About Board Bags?
A board bag isn’t essential for your first lesson, but it becomes increasingly useful if you are regularly travelling to the beach.
A bag can protect your board from:
- Car boots
- Roof racks
- Sand
- Sun
- General knocks
- Transport damage
If you’re buying a more expensive board, a padded bag is well worth considering.
The Biggest Beginner Mistake: Buying Too Small
If there is one piece of advice I would give a new surfer, it is this:
Don’t buy a board because you think it makes you look like a better surfer.
A large board might not look as cool as a tiny performance shortboard.
But if the large board allows you to catch 10 waves while the shortboard allows you to catch one, you will improve much faster on the larger board.
Surfing is about catching waves.
More waves mean more practice.
More practice means better surfing.
My Beginner Board Recommendations
Complete beginner
8–9 ft soft-top foam board
Maximum stability and plenty of paddle power.
Smaller or lighter beginner
7–8 ft soft-top
A good compromise between stability and manoeuvrability.
Larger adult
8–9 ft+ high-volume soft-top or mini-mal
More flotation can make learning considerably easier.
Beginner who has already had lessons
7’6″–8’0″ funboard or mini-mal
A good progression option.
Intermediate surfer
Funboard, mini-mal, fish or larger shortboard
The right choice depends heavily on your ability and the waves you normally surf.
My Advice for Yorkshire Beginners
If I was helping someone buy their first surfboard for the Yorkshire coast, I wouldn’t start by asking:
“What board looks the coolest?”
I’d ask:
- How much do you weigh?
- How tall are you?
- Have you surfed before?
- Where are you going to surf?
- How often will you surf?
- Are you comfortable catching unbroken waves?
- What size boards have you already used?
- What’s your budget?
Then I’d look for a board that gives you enough volume to catch plenty of Yorkshire waves.
For many adults, that could mean an 8 ft or 9 ft soft-top to start with, followed by a mini-mal or funboard as their surfing develops.
Where I Would Start Looking
If you’re based around the Yorkshire coast, my first stops would be:
Saltburn: Saltburn Surf Shop
Scarborough/Cayton Bay: Cayton Bay Surf Shop and Scarborough Surf School
Scarborough North Bay: Dexters Surf Shop
Scarborough: Secret Spot
If you’re based inland in West Yorkshire, you can also investigate Juice Boardsports and Robin Hood Watersports, but always check current surfboard stock before making the journey.
Final Thoughts
Learning to surf is a journey.
Your first surfboard doesn’t need to be the board you’ll ride forever.
Its job is to help you learn the fundamentals, catch plenty of waves and build confidence.
For most beginners, bigger really is better.
If you’re lucky enough to live within travelling distance of the Yorkshire coast, take advantage of the local surf shops and surf schools. Try different boards, ask questions and get advice from people who understand the local conditions.
And most importantly:
Don’t rush into buying a small board.
Get something stable, get in the water, catch plenty of waves and enjoy learning.
The right beginner surfboard isn’t necessarily the most expensive board or the coolest-looking board.
It’s the board that helps you catch more waves.
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