One Wave Surf reviews four of the most popular foam beginner surfboards.
1. The Cosco Wavestorm surfboard – $100 MRSP
Description: 8’0 long, 22 wide & nearly 4 inches thick. Comes with leash & Rubber fins
Volume/weight rated for a beginner between 90-140lbs
Pros: Possibly the most popular of foam beginner surfboards on the planet right now due to its affordable price and unbeatable return policy. Ultra-buoyant without being wide. Very low risk of injury from impact.
Cons- Very slippery traction deck. Not great for learners over 140lbs. Fins are warped easily. Kids can pick up the basics of surfing on the wave storm, but will have a hard time advancing on the board.
2. The NSP surfschool surfboard – $470 MRSP
Description: 9’2 long, 24 wide & nearly 4 inches thick. Comes with rubber FCS fins
Volume/weight rated for a beginner between 125-200lbs
Pros: Size of the NSP surfschool surfboard is ideal for almost all learners. Very easy to carry due to its pre-installed handles at the nose, tail and midboard. HIgh Rocker helps to keep the board from pearling. Very durable due to ultra-dense high quality foam and bumpers. Very low risk of injury from impact.
Cons: Slippery but Waxable deck. Slightly heavier surfboard than others in its size range due to dense high quality foam and bumpers. Fins are warped easily.
3. THE BIG BRU Surfboard – $375 MRSP
Description: 10’ long, 24 wide & nearly 4 inches thick. Comes with rubber FCS fins
Volume/weight rated for a beginner between 175 – 225 pounds
Pros: Ultra-buoyant & Wide. Very low risk of injury from impact. High rocker helps prevent pearling.
Cons- slippery traction deck. Not great for learners under 140lbs. Fins are warped easily. Like the wavestorm, Adults will have a hard time advancing on the board.
4. The SurfTech Softop Longbaord surfboard – $870 MRSP
Description: 10’ long, 23.5 wide & nearly 3.5 inches thick. Comes with hard fin
Description: 11’ long, 24 wide & nearly 4 inches thick. Comes with hard fin
Volume/weight rated for a beginner between 200+ pounds
Pros: A real surfboard that has been wrapped in high density foam on the rails and deck. The Surftech is the highest quality board for teaching surfing. The Surftech is ideal for adult and larger learners. It is more of a performance surfboard meaning there is room develop your surfing. Very good foam traction on deck and rails.
Cons: Cost is much higher. Slightly higher risk of injury from impact due to the size of the board and the fact it has a hard underdeck. Not as easy to carry under arm due to its larger size. The board is very durable but over time pieces of foam may break off.
