What is a surfboard?
A surfboard or surfing board is a narrow board or plank used for surfing and other recreational watersport activities. An individual needs to stand up on the board and glide it through the water waves across the ocean, lake or river rapids. They are built lighweight but strong enough to carry the load of one fully grown adult.
Back then most surfboards were made with wooden construction material. Because of advancements in technology and modernization, now, surfboards are available in different formats, sizes, and construction materials and for different water sports activities.
Surfboards are made between 10 feet and 20 feet and not beyond that. Some of them come along with skegs at the bottom for better manoeuvrability, stability and directional control.
What is a surfboard used for?
As I mentioned above, surfboards are used for surfing and gliding on water. However, today they are used for multiple purposes and different types of water sports activities, all because of advancements in technology and the modernization of the boards.
Today surfboards can be used for following activities on the water.
A. Fishing
B. Touring
C. Surfing
D. Racing
E. Stunting
F. Camping
G. Recreational rides and a lot more
A quick buying guide about surfing board
Since there are different types of surfboards available in the market, it might put you in a dilemma about which type of surfboard is best suited for you. Keeping that in mind, here’s a quick buying guide on surfboards.
1. Determine your budget
When it comes to buying a surfing board, you first need to be clear about your budget. In the market, different types of surfboards are available from different pricing categories. So, make sure to buy a surfboard which fits your budget and needs.
Don’t go with hype when it comes to buying a surfboard. Check your preferences and budget first, then buy a best-suited board.
2. Check the hull type
Planning and displacement hull type are two dominating factors that can make or break your ride on the water. Planing hull surfboards are more wide and flat, giving the utmost stability to the ride, while displacement hull surfboards are good at speed and manoeuvrability.
3. Which type of surfboard do you want to buy
As I mentioned there are multiple types of surfing boards available in the market, so clear out which type of board you want to buy. If you are an adventure seeker go with a fishing or tour surfing board. If you are a beginner then go with surfboards for newbies or beginners.
For long-distance rides, you should opt for a camping type of surfboard.
4. Check weight carrying capacity
An ideal weight-carrying capacity of the surfboard should be twice your body weight. If your body weight is around 90 lbs, your surfboard should be able to carry at least 180 lbs of weight without compromising the speed, stability and balance.
If you want to go for a tandem ride, then you can opt for a tandem surfboard with a carrying capacity of more than 300 lbs.
5. Check the length and width
The ideal lenght of a surfboard should be between 12 feet to 15 feet, which will not only give you a stunning ride but also allow you to store the surfboard without any hassle or issues.
6. Check for the fins
If you want your surfboard to track well and glide smoothly across a variety of water types, then check whether your paddle board comes with a tracking fin or not. A surfboard with Skeg fins excels at speed, stability and manoeuvrability.
7. Check accessories
Always buy a surfboard that comes fully accessorized with additional gears, tools and accessories you need for a surfing session. Accessories that include are a backpack for carrying and transportion, a skeg at the bottom, bungee lacing, a pump [If you are buying an inflatable board] and lot more.
What are the different types of surfing boards available in the market?
Now let us dive deep into the main topic of our blog post i.e how many different types of surfboards are available in the market. The best 20 types of surfing boards are listed below.
1. Inflatable surfing boards
These types of surfboards are selling like hotcakes and most demanding one. Inflatable surfing boards are lightweight, easy to carry, store and transport from home to the surfing destination and back home again. They come fully accessorized with relevant gear that you need for an awesome ride on the water.
Because of their foldable design and inflatable nature, you also don’t need to worry about carrying and storing them. You can simply deflate it, roll it up and keep it inside the backpack that comes along.
Speaking about their performance, they are highly stable, built for exceptional manoeuvrability, and have high performance on a variety of water types except for the fast-moving river rapids and whitewater.
Why you should buy it?
If you are looking for a lighweight surfboard that can be kept anywhere in your home or garage, an inflatable surfing board should be on your list.
Cost and pricing: The cost of inflatable surfing boards start from $199 and goes up to $600 max.
2. Windsurfing board
Windsurfing board are also called sailing boards that comes along with a sail, allowing you to enjoy surfing. This type of surfboard is also used in Olympic sports and sailers participate in racing competitions as well. Windsurfing boards are used by professional riders only and they are not suited for beginner and newbie paddlers.
Windsurfing boards will allow you to enjoy a wide range of water sports acitivtes because they are made seaworthy and capable of tackling all types of water.
Also, they are implacable at speed. Back then, windsurfing boards and sailboards were capable of gliding at a moderate and slow speed only. However, due to technological advancement and evaluation of sport, windsurf boards can now reach upto the speed of 40 knots and are capable of long-distance surfing as well.
Why you should buy it?
If you are obssed with the speed and looking for a fast-moving board, windsurf boards should be on your list.
Cost and pricing: The starting cost of windsurfing boards is around $200 and goes up to $1000 or more.
3. Surfboard for beginners
As the name says it all. This type of surfboard is suited for newbie and beginner-level paddlers with less than 1 or 2 years of experince. Such surfboards are designed for utmost stability and stunning cruise control on the water so that beginners can get enough confidence while gliding.
Most of the beginner-level surfboard features a planing hull design, wide deck space with EVA traction deck pads and stunning carrying capacity that will allow you to carry the additional load and gear. With such surfboards, beginners can enjoy a range of water sports activities including touring, camping, lake paddling and lot more.
The only drawback of such surfboards is that they are slightly slow in speed and you might need to put in extra effort to surf or glide on them efforlessly.
Why you should buy it?
Beginners can opt for it if they want to learn paddle boarding or surfing. Also, surfers looking for exceptional stability with boards can opt for beginner-level surfboards.
Cost and pricing: The cost of beginner-level surfboards starts from $100 and goes up to $500.
4. Cheap and affordable surfing boards
The next on my list of different types of paddle boards are cheap and economical paddle boards that are suited for all types of riders. These non-expensive boards feature the great ability to drift, and glide and give an immense amount of smooth surfing experince.
Being cheap does not mean they compromise on stability, speed and balance. In fact, some of the economical and cheap paddle board offers much more stability and high-performance ride as compared to expensive paddle boards.
The only downside of cheap surfboards is that they do not come with all sorts of accessories and gear for paddle boarding. You might need to spend a few extra dollars on accessories like ankle leashes, tracking skeg, carry back and carry handle as well.
Why should you buy it?
If you are running right on the budget, then you should opt for cheap surfboards.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a cheap stand-up paddle board starts from $100 and goes up to $200 only.
5. Surfboard for women
The next type of surfboard is specialy designed and made for women paddlers which allows them to enjoy a wide range of water sports activities including surfing, racing, touring, camping and recreational rides on the water.
Most of the surfboards or paddle boards for women are extremely lighweight and capable of carrying weight upto 150 lbs and not beyond that. They have anti-slip deck padding material, which gives enough confidence to women and novice paddlers to tackle any condition on the water.
What’s more? Women paddlers can also take their inflatable board for a yoga or fitness session on the water and enjoy their day striking a yoga pose or doing any fitness activity.
All the surfboards and paddle boards for women are backed by tracking fins at the bottom which makes the manoeuvrability of the board easy-peasy.
Why you should buy it?
If you are a women paddler then you can opt for a women’s surfboard for fun and recreational activity. In case, you are a male paddler then you can also think of gifting a women’s surfboard for your friend, partner or family member with a knack for surfing and paddle boarding.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a women’s surfboard starts at $200 and might go upto $500.
6. Surfboard for kids
The next type of surfboard is suited for beginner and newbie levels of paddler and surfer. This type of surfing board is easy to paddle, and easy to surf and they allow you to float with great buoyancy and are very stable. They can also catch as many waves as possible.
Most of the beginner surfboards are crafted with foam-based material or fibreglass, which makes surfing, even more, smoother and ensures fewer accidents while tackling the high waves. They are also long and highly stable which makes surfing effortless.
The average lenght of a beginner surfboard is 10 feet or it can also be 12 feet, depending on brand to brand. More longboards with a narrow design will give beginner riders good speed.
Why you should buy it?
Surfboard for kids and beginners is suited for all-purpose usage. From suring in the ocean to paddling on the choppy lakes, kids can carry out any watersport activity with this type of surfboard.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a surfboard for kids starts from $100 and it goes upto $300. Kids’ surfboards are slightly on the cheaper side and anyone can afford them.
7. Shortboards
As the name says it all. A shortboard is a type of surfboard which is generally short in size as compared to the traditional surfing and inflatable paddle board. Shortboards are generally under 10 feet and you can easily recognize them by their small size, length and width. They are generally used for paddlers and surfers who are obssed with the speed and want to cut through the water at a lightning-fast speed.
Their shorter lenght makes them very speedy and capable enough to tackle the powerful and daunting waves. Their construction material is done with fibreglass and other high-tech material which makes them perfect for racing and modern-day water sports activities.
You can also customize your shortboard with ample of other accessories like bungee lacing, and skeg at the bottom to make it more manoeuvrable and high in traction.
The only downside of the shortboard is that they feature less foam which makes it harder to paddle. However, their short and subtle size will allow you to carry and transport it anywhere.
Why you should buy it?
If you opt for a shortboard, you don’t need to worry about carrying, storing and transporting them. They are small in size and you can simply carry them with your hands or at the back.
Cost and pricing: The price of the shortboard starts from $200 and goes beyond $500.
8. Bodyboards
Bodyboard is a type of surfing board in which a surfer lies down on the board and get’s carried away with the wave. This type of board is one of the oldest boards for surfing that was invented by Tom Morey in 1971. Since then, many different types and forms of bodyboard are available in the market. Modern-day bodyboards are begin used for a wide of watersport acitivtes including surfing, wind sailing, gliding on the ocean, touring on the lakes and much more.
A typical bodyboard has a snub nose, sharp tail, and tapered sides which makes them glide smoothly on flat water and choppy waves as well. The general construction of the bodyboard is also done with resilient plastic or make, which makes them lighweight and easy to carry anywhere.
Why you should buy it?
If you are a professional surfer and want to take your surfing next level, then you can consider buying a bodyboard and honing your existing surfing skills.
Cost and pricing: The price of bodyboards starts from $150 and goes up to $500.
9. Fishing boards
Who said paddle board can only be used for surfing, touring, camping and recreational adventures on water? Modern-day surfboards can also be used for other adventure activities like hunting and fishing on the water.
Fishing boards are a type of surfing board which comes fully accessorized and has modern fishing features and capabilities that make them the ultimate fishing watercraft. They feature similar capabilities, accessories and sets of tools just like the best fishing kayaks of all time.
Some of the most important accessories that come along with fishing boards are rod holders, bungee lacing, mounting points for the motor, removable tracking fins and a lot more.
You can also take the fishing board for other water sport acitivtes like surfing, touring, snorkelling, yoga and fitness sessional, diving, swimming and lot more.
Why you should buy it?
The motor mount compatibility and features make the fishing boards worth buying for any kind of paddler. Whether you are a beginner in surfing or a pro rider, you can surely think of buying a surfboard for sure.
Cost and pricing: The cost of fishing boards start from $200 and goes beyond $1000. These are also one of the most expensive type of surfing boards.
10. Foam boards
Foamboards are types of surfing boards that are covered with foam blank and then with hard material which can be either fibreglass or epoxy. They are also made with a special type of water-resistant EPS foam on the deck which makes the durable and long-lasting. These boards are super protective against any sort of dings and dents.
Performance-wise, foam boards are very smooth and efficient to paddle board around any type of water or condition. Even in the choppiest water condition, foam boards will give you high traction and ample of stability to get moving ahead.
Why you should buy it?
Foam boards are worth buying because of the durable construction material and long serving life. The average life of foam boards is 10 years, provided that you use it wisely and with care.
Cost and pricing: The price of foam boards starts at $300 and goes beyond $500.
11. Fibreglass surfboards
The next type of surfboard is a fibreglass surfboard which is also called PU or polyurethane surfboard. These are one of the oldest types of a surfboard and have been selling in the market like hot cakes for more than 50 years now. They are considered more traditional because they are made with polyurethane inner and wrapped with fibreglass cloth and material.
Such type of surfboard is more strong and capable of withstanding any daunting condition on the water. They can also carry the additional load and allow the border to carry ample other accessories like coolers, jackets, fish finders, paddles for rowing and more.
When you are buying a fibreglass surfboard make sure to check the stability once and take it for a test ride. Until and unless you don’t a stable fibreglass board, don’t buy anything.
Why you should buy it?
Fibreglass surboards are known for their rigid deck experince and high traction padding material, which gives a stunning grip and boosts the confidence of the rider.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a foam surfboard starts from $190 and goes upto $500.
12. Tandem surfing boards
Are you looking for a type of surfboarding board that can carry an additional rider or more load? Do you want to go for a surfing ride along with your partner or a buddy paddler? If your answer to the above two questions is yes, then tandem surfboard has got you covered.
A tandem surfboard is also called a tandem paddle board which is built to carry the load of 2 riders in tandem. They are slightly big in size, wide and capable to carry a load of up to 500 lbs or more.
If your buddy paddler is absent then you can also think of taking the tandem surfing board for a solo ride.
Why you should buy it?
If you are looking for a tandem ride along with a partner or friend you can opt for tandem paddle boards which are similar to tandem kayaks.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a tandem paddle board starts at $300 and goes up to $1000.
13. Touring and camping boards
Touring and camping boards are specialy built for long-distance paddling and surfing on water.
They are fully accessorized with ample gears and accessories, allowing the surfers to enjoy the best ride possible. A touring paddle board can also be taken on the tight spots on water that other big-size kayaks and paddle boards can’t reach.
Apart from this, touring or camping paddle boards can also be taken for ocean or sea adventures on the water. However, you must be equipped with proper kayaking or paddling life jacket and other accessories to do.
Why you should buy it?
For long-distance paddling or night surfing, you can surely think of buying a touring camping paddle board.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a touring board starts at $200 and goes up to $500.
14. Softboard
The soft type of surfboard is made with lightweight and cushy construction material, which makes them suited for surfers and paddlers of all skill levels. From beginner to the expert paddler, anyone can opt for a soft surfing board and enjoy a stunning ride on the water.
The main benefit of soft surfing boards is the comfort level which they give. Even if you stand on the board for a full day, your legs and feet won’t feel much tired or burdened.
Why you should buy it?
For a super comfortable and super easy peasy ride, you must buy a soft surfboard. Even kids, newbies, teens and beginner-level surfers opt for soft surfboards.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a soft surfing board starts from $200 and ends up at $600.
15. Longboards
The next type of surfboard on my list is a longboard which is generally longer and the opposite of shortboards. Longboards are generally 10 to 12 feet long and they are used by professional paddlers and surfers with years of experince in surfing. However, longboards are much easier to use than surfboards because of their wide deck, stability and tracking fins at the bottom.
To enjoy the optimal ride, you should get a longboard which is 9 feet long and around 23 inches wide. This combination will evenly distribute the weight of the surfer throughout the board and ensure straightforward tracking with the fear of tipping off.
One of the best things I like about the longboard is they offer stunning buoyancy and great good speed by compression and decompression which makes them stand out from other boards. Speaking about their stability, longboards are masters at balance, all thanks to their tracking fins at the bottom.
Why you should buy it?
If you are looking for the complete type of surfing boarding for your next wilderness on water, a longboard should be on your buyer’s list.
Cost and pricing: Longboards are slightly expensive and they start from $200 and go up to $800 or more.
16. Funboards
Funboard is a type of surfing board that has a shape similar to standard boards and longboards. They typically fall between the height of 6 to 10 feet and not wider than 23 inches. They are versatile, easy to ride and suited for all skill levels of paddlers.
There are many different forms of funboard available in the market, which are as follows: soft fun board, mini mal funboard, single fin fun board and much more. Depending on your need and requirement, you can opt for any type of funboard.
Why you should buy it?
If you want to double your fun and adventure while surfing on a variety of water, Funboards are made for you. You can also use Funboards for diving, surfing, gliding, and snorkelling.
Cost and pricing: The cost of funboards starts from $100 to $300. It is relatively cheaper as compared to other paddle boards.
17. Motorized boards
Do you want to take the speed of your surfboard to next level? Are you looking for a paddle board with stunning speed? If your answer is yes, then Motorized boards have got your back covered. These types of surfboards are known for their speed and flexibility. They are backed by a motor system at the back which works electronically and takes the speed of surfboard to next level.
Another thing good thing about this type of surfing board is they give a hands-free paddling experince. You don’t need a paddle system to row this type of board as it has got motor to move the board forward, backward and in any direction you want to go.
Why you should buy it?
If you want to enjoy a hands-free paddling experince, then Motorized surfboards are the best option for you. However, they are very expensive.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a motorized paddle board starts from $1000 and might go up to $3000 or more.
18. Wakefoil boards
A wake foil board is a type of surfing board that comes along with foils which helps the board to raise above water at a specific level and makes them faster and speed as compared to other boards. Wakefoil boards are much safer, faster and lighweight. However, they can be used only by professional paddlers with years of experience.
They can be used in any water condition and also behind the boat. Just like towable tube works.
Modern and high-tech wake foil boards can also be used by beginner and newbie-level padders. Such boards can give a speed of upto 4 MPH. However, you must have the right equipment, surfing gear and accessories to get started with it.
Why you should buy it?
To get your adrenaline pumping on the water, you can get a wake foil board and take your speed next level.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a wakefoil board is around $400 to $1000.
19. Wooden surfboard
A wooden surfboard is a type of surfboard that is made out of wood, rather than the more traditional materials such as foam and fibreglass. Wooden surfboards can be made from a variety of wood species, and they can be shaped using hand tools or machine tools. Wooden surfboards have a number of advantages over traditional surfboards.
They are generally more durable and long-lasting than foam and fibreglass boards, and they can also be more environmentally friendly as they can be made from sustainable wood sources. Wooden surfboards also have a unique aesthetic appeal, and many surfers appreciate the natural look and feel of a wooden board.
Why you should buy it?
Wooden type of surfboards is more durable and long-lasting.
Cost and pricing: The cost of a wooden surfboard board is around $400 to $1000.
20. Traditional Surfboards
Traditional surfboards are surfboards that are made using traditional materials and construction techniques. These materials typically include foam, fiberglass, and resin, and the construction process involves shaping the foam into the desired shape, covering it with fiberglass cloth, and then applying resin to harden and strengthen the board.
Why you should buy it?
If you want to double your fun and adventure while surfing on a variety of water, traditional are made for you. You can also use Funboards for diving, surfing, gliding, and snorkelling.
Cost and pricing: The cost of traditional boards start from $100 to $300. It is relatively cheaper as compared to other paddle boards.
FAQs About Different Types Of Surfing Boards
There are several types of surfing boards, including longboards, shortboards, fish boards, funboards, and stand-up paddle boards (SUPs).
A longboard is a type of surfing board that is typically longer and wider than a shortboard, with a rounded nose and a flatter rocker. Longboards are great for beginners because they are more stable and easier to ride than shortboards, and they are also good for riding small or slow-moving waves.
A shortboard is a type of surfing board that is shorter and narrower than a longboard, with a pointed nose and a more pronounced rocker. Shortboards are designed for more advanced surfers who want to ride faster and perform more advanced maneuvers on bigger waves.
A fish board is a type of surfing board that is shorter and wider than a shortboard, with a rounded nose and a flatter rocker. Fish boards are designed for surfing small or weak waves, and they are known for their agility and maneuverability.
A funboard is a type of surfing board that falls between a longboard and a shortboard in terms of size and shape. Funboards are good for intermediate surfers who want a board that is versatile and can be ridden in a variety of conditions.