Which surfboard should I be riding after the foamy?

So, we get this question a lot around here...Which surfboard should I be riding after the foamy? 

You have already learned how to stand up and ride a Wave Storm surfboard or other brand of foamy type board, Check that off the list!  Now it’s time to pull the training wheels off and move on to a real surfboard!  What we mean by a real surfboard is a foam and fiberglass construction surfboard which allows for stability, durability and the best ride feel when you are progressing in your surfing.  Foam boards are great when you first hit the water but once you get to your feet and can balance, you are ready to move forward and get out of your surfing diapers.  The downside of a soft board or “foamy” is that they are not very responsive, do not have proper flex or rail design and will likely be too thick to progress in your surfing.  When you are ready to move to a different board but are not totally ready to either choose a huge log or to choose something smaller, what should you do?  

The Ultimate Performance Longboard shown in Epoxy construction-easy to paddle, durable and perfect for progressing.

At this point in your progression having developed those basic skills on a foam board you are now ready to move on to a new board.  There are several paths you can take at this point but we feel strongly you should take the next step into a fiberglass (epoxy or poly resin) longboard in the 8’6” to 9’ range depending on your height and something that is light enough to carry under your arm.  We have worked with thousands of beginner and intermediate surfers and have found through experience that the Ultimate longboard is the ideal progression board (read some of our many reviews) which is the board we call the “world’s best riding longboard”.  

 

The Ultimate is flat through the middle for stability with extra nose and tail rocker to help assist with dropping into the wave.

Having a board with a little bit of rocker on it and a board that is lighter, even if it’s a nine-footer is really helpful. The last thing you want to do is have something that’s super heavy and hard for you to handle when you are still learning to surf.  That is why we really like Epoxy boards because they tend to be lighter and easier to handle both in an out of the water plus they paddle better because of the EPS foam inside allows for the best buoyancy of any surfboard. Not to mention they are really durable.

If you go with a lighter Epoxy board it will allow you to maneuver around more and will also allow you to carry it to the beach with relative ease which you will thank us for later :) You’re not at a skill level where you’re nose riding yet, but these boards will allow you to start surfing the green face of the wave and start maneuvering.  

Since you will be starting to get the mechanics of surfing figured out, you will need a board that’s feels loose enough and stable to help you get better at this stage of surfing. The Ultimate longboard is light and is designed for the versatility of somebody who is just starting to turn and wants to progress from their foamy to the next board. This board is setup with a 2 + 1 fin setup which is stable and allows you to turn as well. Once you get better you can pull the side fins and add a longer fin to try more advanced maneuvers.

Your next board after the longboard allows for many options from a fun shape, to a longer fish shape to a speed egg. This will be another subject in a future writing as it will require a more in depth discussion on board shapes, fins and designs.

Ambassador Micah Leapley reminding us to keep the Stoke!

So remember it’s all about getting a lot of waves and having a lot of FUN at this stage so don’t worry about surfing like the pros.  The next step is to get your Ultimate longboard and take your surfing to the next level!  We offer an all Epoxy version, a Hybrid Soft Top Epoxy version with a fiberglass core and soft deck as well as a Poly version so there are many ways to go. When getting started we suggest the Epoxy versions as they will make paddling easier and give you an extra level of durability.  This board will help make things easier as you figure out the ryhthm of surfing.  Poly boards are great but tend to be more prone to dings and are generally heavier than epoxy.  To read about the Pros and Cons of Epoxy and Poly boards, check out our in depth writing on this subject.

Take a look at the whole lineup of Ultimate longboards here.