If you ask me, nothing helps beat the winter blues like looking ahead to summer. And if you’re like me, the best part of summer is time at the beach! Why not make this year the year that you learn how to surf? What better way to enjoy some waves and sunshine?
Don’t let yourself be intimidated at the thought of getting started. All you need is a decent foam or soft top surfboard and a sense of adventure to get started! Why a foam or soft top surfboard? Because they are nearly indestructible, which is what you’ll want when you’re just getting started. These boards are not easily dented and actually last much longer than other boards. Trust me, you’ll be happy to have one of these!
What To Look For in a Surfboard
If you’re not sure of where to start in your search for a foam or soft top surfboard, this is a great place to start.
- A leash. If the board doesn’t come with a leash, you may want to buy one separately. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time chasing after your board.
- Size. The bigger the surfboard, the easier it is to balance on it. Bigger boards also generally catch waves better. As a general rule of thumb, always look for a board that is at least a foot taller than you.
- Price. Since there is a wide range of prices for foam and soft topped surfboards, you’ll want to decide how much you’re willing to spend. While it might make sense to buy an economical board to see how much you like the sport, keep in mind that the cheaper boards may not have the same quality as more expensive options.
- Fins. Look for boards that come with removable fins. This is a nice feature because it allows you to use the board as either a boogie board or a surfboard.
These are all important features to consider when shopping for your first surfboard. This list helps you analyze some of the best boards on the market.
| Product | Features |
|---|---|
Roxy Break Soft Longboard | |
Body Glove Daily Soft-Top Surfboard | |
Body Glove Billy Foam Top Surfboard | |
Odysea Soft Surfboard | |
Catch Surf Kid Surfboard | |
Boardworks Froth Surfboard | |
Kona Beginner Surfboard | |
Wavestorm Classic Surfboard | |
Softech Flash Eric Geiselman Surfboard | |
Rock-It Albert Surfboard |
1. Roxy Break Soft Longboard
Technical Specifications
Length: 7 foot
Width: 22″ wide
Thickness: 3 1/4″
Materials: Polyurethane core
Buoyancy: 60.6 L
Recommended Wave Height: 1-4 feet
Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Recommended Wave
Check out this soft longboard from Roxy if you’re looking for a beginner board. It is ideal for anyone just getting started since its stable design makes it easier to stay standing upright on 1-4 foot waves. The board itself has a hybrid composite core and a reinforced deck, making it extra strong.
You can either get the Roxy Break Soft Longboard in a seven foot or eight foot length. The dimensions on the seven foot board are 7’0″ x 22″ x 3 1/4″ 60.5L and 8’0″ x 23″ x 3 3/8″ 76L on the eight foot board. Either way, it comes with Roxy fins.
2. Body Glove Daily Soft-Top Surfboard with Removable Fins
When it comes to quality, you really can’t beat Body Glove products, and the Daily Soft-Top Surfboard is no exception! No matter what level you’re at, you can’t help but appreciate this versatile board. If you’re a beginner, you’ll like it because it’s stable and easy to maneuver, making it a perfect board to learn on. As you become more advanced, you’ll appreciate the longboard shape because it helps you build speed when you need it.
The details on this surfboard are fantastic! It has removable, durable fins that will keep you safe and last a long time. Also, it’s lightweight, weighing only 10 pounds, making it ultra portable. It also comes with a leash so it will stay close.
3. Body Glove Billy Foam Top Surfboard with Removable Fins
4. Odysea Jamie O’Brien Stump Tri Fin
If you’re ready to fully invest in surfing and get a top-notch board, the Odysea Catch Surf Jamie O’Brien Stump is the soft board for you. It might be priced towards the upper end of the range, but it’s worth every dollar you spend!
This 5′ board features an eye-catching, colorful design and three stinger fins. Made of polypropylene, it only weighs 6 pounds! But despite its lightweight, it can float just about anyone. And everyone will agree that the best part of this board is how soft the decking is!
5. Catch Surf Kid
Here’s another high-quality option for you to consider! Made by the reputable company Catch Surf, the best-selling Kid Soft Top Surfboard won’t disappoint. Catch Surf is known for their top-notch surfboards and stylish designs. In fact, you’ll notice that some of the best surfers choose this brand as well.
There is so much to appreciate about the construction of this surfboard! Starting with its triple stringer core which makes it super strong. It also features a nose fish outline and wings in line with the rear fin. The middle section is concave, making it more comfortable to ride on. All of these features work together to provide you a great experience on the waves!
6. Boardworks Froth
You really can’t go wrong with the Froth Soft Top surfboard from Boardworks. They’ve made sure there is something for all tastes and preferences. Whether you want a 5′ fun board or a 9′ long board or anything in between, they’ve got you covered. And you can pick from several attractive color schemes: mint (my personal favorite!), papaya, and sky.
There are plenty of reasons why Boardworks was recognized in Wall Street Journal as “game changing gear”. For starters, it offers fun for all abilities. The skin is smooth, just like you’d want it to be, and the core is light but strong. Try it out and you’ll soon be one of the many fans of Boardworks boards!
7. Kona Beginner
The Kona Soft Top has everything you’d want in a surfboard! Not only does it include three two tabbed fins, but also a coiled leash and a leash plug on the bottom of the board. I like this feature because it keeps your board from floating away.
Another useful aspect of this board is the air valve that is found underneath the board. With a simple twist, you can release any unwanted air that might get trapped in the board. You’ve also got to appreciate the scratch resistant bottom because it will help it last longer. As you can tell, I really can’t praise the Kona Soft Top enough!
This board comes in green, grey, light blue, pink, or red. At 4 feet 4 inches, it’s the perfect size for kids or adult under 160 pounds to learn on.
8. Wavestorm Classic
Let me tell you a few of the reasons why you’re going to like the Wavestorm Classic surfboard. First, there is a textured traction pad on the top which can really be a lifesaver when you’re trying to stay upright! Additionally, installing the removable fins couldn’t be easier; simply click them in and out. And it comes with a sturdy ankle leash as well. Finally, the Wavestorm is an economical choice that can fit in most budgets.
This is a larger board at over eight feet long and nearly two feet wide. Remember that larger boards are more stable so they’re easier to learn on. Its weight capacity is 200 pounds, but incredibly it only weighs eleven pounds! You can’t beat that!
9. Softech Flash Eric Geiselman
We all know there’s more to a board than aesthetics, but I’ve just got to comment on the design of the Softech Flash. With a beautiful, marbled, turquoise, this board is super eye catching and will be the envy of the beach!
On top of an appealing look, this well-made board is highly rated. My fellow users agree that it is a great product and they would buy it again.
The five foot long Softech Flash comes with fins that don’t require screws or tools. All you need to do is insert the fin then press down to lock it in to place. Since it’s so easy to add or remove the fins, you can easily make adjustments based on the wave conditions or your ability level. This ability to change the fins saves you the hassle of upgrading a board.
10. Rock-It Albert Surfboard
Don’t let this board’s affordable price or last position on our list fool you: it’s an excellent choice! The only problem is that you won’t want to put it down because you’ll have so much fun with it!
At six feet long, the Rock-It Albert surfboard holds a maximum weight of 175 pounds. The material on top of the board is UV resistant and soft. It comes with removable fins, just like you’d want in a soft top board as we discussed earlier.
And I’ve got to mention the fun, bright color options. You can choose between green, blue, gray, orange, pink, red, or yellow. All of these color schemes have a black and white fish design on the bottom.
FAQs
Why use a soft top surfboard?
Foam top surfboards are perfect for a beginner. Benefits include better buoyancy, light weight, and a comfortable space to paddle on.
What materials make a surfboard soft?
Typically the soft surface of a surfboard is made of
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