How To Choose A Surfboard
24/02/23
0 minute read
We'll break down the key factors to consider when choosing a surfboard, and go through the latest in the Rip Curl range, so you can find the perfect “stick(s)” for you.
Picking the right surfboard can be overwhelming, for beginners and pros alike. But not unlike being atop an A-frame peak, choosing which way to go, and taking the drop, it’s also super exciting. There are so many different shapes, sizes, and materials to choose from, experimenting and finding what’s right for you is all part of the fun.
1. Determine your skill level:
The first thing you'll want to do when choosing a surfboard is to assess your skill level. Knowing where you’re at, and where you want to go with your surfing, will help narrow down the options. Are you a beginner in the learning phase, intermediate with some basics dialled-in, or are you an experienced surfer looking to step up your game or fill a gap in your ever-growing quiver? Different surfboards are designed for different skill levels, so it's important to choose one that’s right for you. Importantly, while it might seem counter-intuitive, if your goal is to surf a shortboard in the end; the fastest way to reach that goal is to learn on a larger board first.
Beginner:
For beginners, it's generally accepted that you start with a longboard or malibu, “mal” for short. These are the largest type of surfboard, and they're great for learning how to ride waves because they're stable and easy to paddle. They're also good for small, slow-moving waves, which are often the kind you'll find in beginner-friendly areas. That said, you might get hooked on bigger boards and eventually move to high-performance mals or traditional “logs”. Cross-stepping, drop-knee turns, and hanging ten are all advanced moves performed on a larger board.
Intermediate:
If you're an intermediate surfer, you might want to try a mid-length board or one from the Fun-Performance category. These are smaller than longboards, fit tighter in the pocket and will allow you to start accessing the most critical part of the wave. So, you can perfect your technique; taking-off, trimming, and executing cutbacks and top turns. They’ll also be more forgiving than full-on shortboards. Plus they’re good for larger, more powerful waves.
Advanced:
With experience, time and practice, more advanced surfers develop their own preferences, but the natural progression is to a shortboard, which is the smallest and most manoeuvrable type of surfboard. Shortboards are designed for high-performance surfing and are best suited for experienced surfers who are comfortable in challenging conditions. They have the added advantage of giving the surf the option of duck-diving (pushing the board under the water) when faced with large broken waves.
2. Consider your weight and height
Another important factor to consider when choosing a surfboard is your weight and height. Surfboards are designed to carry a certain amount of weight, and if you're too heavy or too light for a particular board, it mightn’t achieve the desired float and glide as well as it should. If a board is too small the surfer may find it hard to catch waves or might “bog” when turning. This is where a surfer slows right down or falls off completely because the board submerges into the water. If a board is too big then manoeuvring it becomes more difficult.
To find the right surfboard for your weight, you'll need to consult a surfboard sizing chart (see below). These charts usually list the minimum and maximum weight range for each size of surfboard. If you're at the lower end of the range for a particular size, you might want to go with the next size up to make sure the board has enough floatation for you. If you're at the higher end of the range, you might want to go with the next size down to make sure the board is stable and easy to control.
The most common issue for surfers is picking a surfboard is ending up with not enough foam/volume. We recommend choosing the bigger board if you are tossing up between two sizes.
Surfboard Size Chart:
Weight (KGs)
36.36
40.00
45.45
50.00
54.55
59.09
63.64
Advanced
Advanced/Intermediate
Intermediate
Beginner
16
17
20
32
17.5
18.5
21.5
34.5
19
20
24
38
19.5
21
24.5
39
21
22
26
42
21.5
22.5
26.5
43
22.5
23.5
28
44.5
3. Think about the type of waves you'll be surfing
The type of waves you'll be surfing is another important factor to consider when choosing a surfboard. Different surfboards are designed for different types of waves, so you'll want to choose one that's suited to the conditions you'll be surfing in. Also note – if you are living in a colder climate that requires you to wear a thick wetsuit most of the year, that will add extra weight so consider going to the next size up with your board.
For example, longboards are best for small, slow-moving waves, while shortboards are better for larger, more powerful waves. If you're not sure what type of waves you'll be surfing, the RC mid-length board can be a good all-around choice, or the RC Beard of Zeus for best all round performance board.
4. Decide on the material
Surfboards are made from a variety of materials, each with its own set of pros and cons. The most common materials are:
- Fibreglass: This is the most traditional surfboard material and is still the most popular choice today. Fibreglass surfboards are strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive. They're also very responsive, which makes them good for high performance surfing. The downside is that fibreglass surfboards are more prone to dings and damage than other materials. They also tend to be heavier than their counterparts, are often touted as being better in good waves because they sit in the water lower than an alternative construction. Plus they’re cheaper to repair (good for beginners).
- Epoxy: Epoxy surfboards are made by combining a foam core with an epoxy resin. They're lighter and stronger than fibreglass surfboards, and they're also more environmentally friendly because they use less petroleum-based materials. However, they tend to be more expensive than fibreglass surfboards.
- Soft surfboards: Soft surfboards, also known as foamies, are made from foam and are covered in a soft, rubber-like material. They're the most beginner-friendly surfboards because they're very stable and easy to ride. They're also very durable and can withstand dings and damage better than other materials. However, they're not as responsive as other types of surfboards and may not be suitable for advanced surfers.
5. The Rip Curl Surfboard Range
At Rip Curl we’ve endeavoured to create the best surfboard for you, no matter where you’re at on your surf journey. Below we’ll break down our three categories Easy Riders, Fun-Performance, and the Heritage Range. Then we’ll delve into each Rip Curl surfboard model and find the one that’s right for you.
EASY-RIDER SURFBOARDS
The Easy-Rider surfboards are the perfect boards to ensure your surfing experience is fun, not frustrating. These entry-level boards are designed with high volume, low rocker and width in the nose. These forgiving features ensure that your wave count is high, and your progression is swift. “Foam is your friend!”, as they say. A little bit of extra volume overall will mean you’re getting the most out of each paddle stroke, getting into more waves, and once you’re up, these boards fly down the line. You’ll also notice the Easy-Riders are glassed strong to be super durable to keep you in the water and out of the ding repairers’ hands.
FUN PERFORMANCE SURFBOARDS
The Fun-Performance boards are designed for those keen on pushing the envelope, especially in soft summery swells. So, if you’re keen to send it, this range is for you. While these boards are shorter and more refined than the easy-rider range, the aim of the game is still to catch a million waves. Think boxy rails, low-med rocker & wide point forward to ensure the transition to the performance world is as seamless as possible. The Fun-Performance boards are offered in a broad range of sizes to cover crew transitioning to shorter boards or a more experienced surfer wanting a nice balance of high-performance and fun.
HERITAGE RANGE SURFBOARDS
The Heritage Range Surfboards feature traditional designs with a hint of modern shaping thrown in. These models focus on speed and flow with multiple options from 1, 2 & 4 fins. This range is focused on style, with epic tints and throwback logos; an homage to the Rip Curl designs of years past.
(CLEAR RRP $749) (COLOUR RRP $799)
ALL DAY:
The All Day is the perfect blend of usability and performance for an entry level design. Featuring a slightly lower rocker that makes this board super easy to paddle, plus more width through the nose, it’s a nod to the traditional longboard, but packaged up in a more forgiving and convenient size range. Easier to store, transport, and of course, surf!
Designed with a flat deck to increase the sweet spot, the All Day feels natural to surf for all levels. The bottom has a single concave under the front foot blending into a double concave between the fins, these bottom contours enable fast acceleration on take off and helps the board transition from rail to rail during turns.
Produced with traditional materials the All Day has a PU core with 2 x layers of 6oz E-Cloth on the deck and 1 x layer of 6 oz E-Cloth on the bottom ensuring a durable functional surfboard that will perform for beginner to intermediate surfers in a wide range of conditions.
The All Day has a fuller rail design that ensures more forgiveness during turns, this increases the performance in waist to head high surf but limits the use in waves that are over head high. If you’re looking for a larger board that will perform in bigger waves check out the RC Mid.
The tail of the All Day is a traditional squash that is super reliable and is suited to a wide variety of waves from short fast and hollow to long open-faced point breaks.
The epitome of our Easy Rider range, this board is extremely versatile and easy to surf in all sorts of conditions. Grab one and be stoked… All Day!
5'8 x 19 3/4 x 2 3/8 29.83L
5'10 x 19 5/8 x 2 ½ 31.71L
6'0 x 19 3/4 x 2 5/8 34.39L
6'2 x 20 x 2 ¾ 37.4L
6'4 x 20 1/4 x 2 ¾ 39.01L
6'4 x 20 1/4 x 2 ¾ 39.01L
Speed Generation: 4/5
Wave Height: 1-6 Foot
Movability: 5/5
Paddle Power: 4/5
(RRP $649)
THE PINT:
Another Easy Rider favourite, The Pint is an entry level shortboard with a clean, classic aesthetic, and some clever shaping that blends the forgiving and fun aspects of larger boards while integrating some classic shortboard design. Featuring an abbreviated rail line compared with the All Day that decreases drag and increases speed while allowing this board to be surfed in smaller waves.
The wider outline and a generous amount of volume ensures the Pint is a phenomenal paddler that accelerates quickly and catches waves with minimal effort.
The medium to low rail helps to draw out turns and control speed and the flat entry rocker enables instant acceleration when combined with a single to double concave allowing full control.
The only drawback with a wider plan shape is that the Pint is more suited to wave sizes head high and under and feels very comfortable in waves from knee to chest high. In this sense it’s more of a “groveller”.
Produced with traditional materials the Pint has a PU core with 2 x layers of 4oz E-Cloth on the deck and 1 x layer of 4 oz E-Cloth on the bottom ensuring a durable functional surfboard that will perform for a wide range of surfers in a diverse range of conditions.
For experienced surfers ride the Pint 1 or 2 litres in volume above your standard short board or for the intermediate surfers go up 6 to 8 litres and take full advantage of the paddle power and stability.
6'0 x 21 1/4 x 2 3/4 39.67L6'4 x 22 x 3 47.11L6'8 x 22 1/2 x 3 50.08L7'0 x 22 3/4 x 3 54.48L
Speed Generation: 4/5
Wave Height: 0-4 Foot
Movability: 4/5
Paddle Power: 4/5
(RRP $649)
COYOTE:
The leader of the pack in our Fun Performance range, the Coyote has been designed to be a one board quiver. This shape performs in the widest range of conditions when compared to all the shapes in the Rip Curl surfboard range. The Coyote is the only board in the Rip Curl range with a five fin setup that creates multiple options for a variety of wave conditions, our team recommends a quad setup for down the line point breaks and a thruster for short fast beach breaks.
This design was refined on the fun walls of Broken Head & Winki Pop over a four year period which has seen it transform into a user friendly design that performs for all levels of surfer. The rounded diamond tail works to reduce width behind the back foot in turn creating a board that feels comfortable when turning tight in the pocket.
The relaxed rocker is blended with a shorter more parallel outline that enables very fast acceleration on take-off which is assisted by a single concave under the front foot. The double concave between the fins and vee off the tail ensures rail to rail transitions are easy during high speed carving turns.
Produced with traditional materials the Coyote has a PU core with 2 x layers of 4oz E-Cloth on the deck and 1 x layer of 4 oz E-Cloth on the bottom ensuring a durable functional surfboard that will perform for a range of abilities in a diverse range of conditions.
This board is built for intermediate to experienced surfers but incorporates all the elements of a board that is easy to surf. The Coyote is a Rip Curl staff favourite when the waves are not quite pumping or when the surf is fun 3-4 foot and under!
*Pool recommended* The Coyote is the perfect board for the pool, this board is made to be surfed 3-4 inches shorter than your regular shortboard which fits into the curve of a pool like URBNSURF perfectly. The rounded diamond holds its speed in the curve of the wave while the relaxed rocker maintains maximum pace through turns. If you're booked in for Beast Mode, chuck the quad fins in and take off late with less board and feel the drive through the barrel with the single concave under the front foot.
5'8 x 19 3/4 x 2 3/8 29.83L5'10 x 19 5/8 x 2 ½ 31.71L 6'0 x 19 3/4 x 2 5/8 34.39L6'2 x 20 x 2 ¾ 37.4L6'4 x 20 1/4 x 2 ¾ 39.01L6'4 x 20 1/4 x 2 ¾ 39.01L
Speed Generation: 4/5
Wave Height: 1-6 Foot
Movability: 5/5
Paddle Power: 4/5
(RRP $699)
THE BEARD OF ZEUS:
The Beard of Zeus is a wave catching machine! Designed for the everyday surfer riding everyday waves, it has a generous amount of volume under the chest allowing easy paddling, and allowing you to ride this board shorter than your normal shortboard.
This hybrid design mixes features from two board types (fun board and shortboard) to ensure your wave count is up, and to find a good balance between power, drive and manoeuvrability. The Beard of Zeus is a proven all-rounder that can do a lot of everything, it paddles well and catches waves easily, generates speed quickly on take-off and maintains hold during high speeds when the surf starts to pump with its rounded tail.
Produced with traditional materials the Beard of Zeus has a PU core with 2 x layers of 4oz E-Cloth on the deck and 1 x layer of 4 oz E-Cloth on the bottom ensuring a durable functional surfboard that will perform for wide range of surfers in a diverse range of conditions.
5'10 x 20 x 2 ½ 31.54L6'1 x 20 1/2 x 2 5/8 36.78L6'3 x 21 x 3 41.54L6'5 x 21 1/2 x 3 1/16 45.58L6'8 x 22 x 3 ¼ 51.53L6'10 x 22 1/2 x 3 5/16 56.55L7'10 x 22 3/4 x 3 7/16 59.9L
Speed Generation: 3/5
Wave Height: 1-6 Foot
Movability: 4/5
Paddle Power: 4/5
(RRP $699)
TWIN:
Ditch the centre fin and feel the timeless speed and glide of the Rip Curl Twin Fin. With a generous amount of volume under the chest allowing for easy paddling, this board is super addictive. Fun on small days, perfect for carving clean lines at the points, or threading tubes at the beachies. This board is user friendly and fun!
Designed with medium to fuller rail to ensure that this twin is super user friendly. Don’t be put off by its small stature, there’s a lot of volume hidden away that creates a large sweet spot and surprising paddle-power.
The Rip Curl Twin has a lot of modern shortboard elements incorporated into a very traditional outline. The bottom contours are a subtle single concave under the front foot with a slight double between the fins. This assists in turning and going from rail to rail which is made easier with the wide swallow tail.
Produced with traditional materials the Twin has a PU core with 2 x layers of 4oz E-Cloth on the deck and 1 x layer of 4 oz E-Cloth on the bottom ensuring a durable functional surfboard that will perform for a wide range of surfers in a diverse range of conditions.
5'2 x 20 x 2 1/4 27.22L5'4 x 20 1/4 x 2 ¼ 28.65L5'6 x 20 1/2 x 2 3/8 31.38L5'8 x 21 x 2 ½ 34.76L5'10 x 21 3/8 x 2 5/8 38.15L6'0 x 21 1/2 x 2 ¾ 42.23L
Speed Generation: 5/5
Wave Height: 1-5 Foot
Movability: 5/5
Paddle Power: 3/5
(RRP $699)
TWIN EPS:
The Rip Curl Twin EPS puts a super-charged spin on the classic twinny design. Still featuring the medium to full rails, swallow tail, and modernised bottom contours as its PU equivalent. However, we’ve incorporated the alternative construction to give it extra horsepower making it lively and fun to surf even in lacklustre swell.
The Twin is produced in XEPS construction using a 36gram EPS core with a high-grade timber stringer, each board is hand laminated using Epoxy Resin and High-Grade Fibreglass providing a lighter, stronger board that feels fast and responsive under your feet increasing performance in a wide variety of conditions.
5'2 x 20 x 2 1/4 27.22L5'4 x 20 1/4 x 2 ¼ 28.65L5'6 x 20 1/2 x 2 3/8 31.38L5'8 x 21 x 2 ½ 34.76L5'10 x 21 3/8 x 2 5/8 38.15L6'0 x 21 1/2 x 2 ¾ 42.23L
Speed Generation: 5/5
Wave Height: 1-5 Foot
Movability: 5/5
Paddle Power: 3/5
(RRP $999)
CRUISER:
The name says it all… If you love cruising on smaller days and catching plenty of waves with ease this is your perfect board.
The Rip Curl Cruiser features a traditional longboard outline with a touch of modern features making it an awesome user-friendly longboard with a broad range of benefits. It has the wide nose and wide point forward for noseriding, but also double concave, narrow tail, and thruster fin setup, that make it easy to step back and turn.
Produced with traditional materials the Cruiser has a PU core with 2 x layers of 6oz E-Cloth on the deck and 1 x layer of 6 oz E-Cloth and extra 4 oz oval patch on the bottom ensuring this board is durable.
Catch anything that breaks and enjoy the ride with Rip Curl Cruiser.
8'6 x 22 3/8 x 2 7/8 64L8'6 x 22 3/8 x 2 7/8 64L9'6 x 23 1/4 x 3 ¼ 84L
Speed Generation: 3/5
Wave Height: 0-3 Foot
Movability: 3/5
Paddle Power: 5/5
(RRP $589)
GROM COYOTE:
The Coyote Grom model is a little bit shorter and wider than a full-blown performance board and has been designed specifically for up-and-coming champions. A curvy outline fits perfectly into the smallest of pockets. The mid to low rails encourage smooth rail to rail surfing and controlled user speed. Perfect for kids who are transitioning from a Softboard to their first hardboard.
(RRP $799)
MID LENGTH:
The RC Mid Length is for surfers focused on the smooth glide of a longer board without all the bulk. Suited to all levels of surfer from beginner - advanced, the wide point is a little forward of centre for maximum paddle power. A medium rail line and slightly flatter rocker also helps maintain control and increase speed at will. The Mid Length can be surfed as a single fin or insert the side fins for increased hold and performance when it’s pumping.
Check out the new range at any of the following Rip Curl stores:
Torquay
Mordialloc
Mornington
Sorrento
Coolangatta
Burleigh
Narrabeen
Maroochydore
Noosaville
Byron Bay
Manly
Bondi
Cronulla
North Wollongong
Ulladulla
Newcastle
*When you’re in store, ask the experts! The crew in our core surf shops are equal parts knowledgeable and fanatical. You best believe they’ve tried every demo model in the shop and would love to play cupid for you and your soon to be favourite board. Let them know what you’re up to in the water and your aspirations, tell them what you’re currently riding, and where you surf.
All these things factor in but be realistic about your abilities! Tall tales are all well and good at the local watering hole, but if you tell the Rip Curl matchmaker that you’ve been charging triple overhead, when you’re actually in over your head in 3ft, then you might get stuck with a board that doesn’t work for you. Tell it like it is and get the fiberglass slipper and the fairy tale ending you deserve.
