The experts know where to head, but the intermediates and beginners don’t know how to start in choosing the best surfboards.
So, Which is the surfboard is best for you? Whether you are new surfer, intermediate or advanced you will find one that fit for you via my guide in this article.
What We Cover
Best Surfboards for 2023
#1. Modern Surfboards Love Child PU
It is a unique combo of longboard and shortboard that offers outstanding experience in the water along with the fun like no other.
Made from PU and having diverse sizes to meet everyone’s needs, this product of Modern Surfboards doesn’t disappoint at all. This is a hybrid surfboard that makes you face the gigantic waves like a pro. The movement of a shortboard and the stability of the longboard, this board lets you enjoy the waves without impacting your performance.
Because of the longboard properties, it has a big stable zone right under the chest and the front foot. With this feature, you can catch the waves at the earliest and ride without worry. On the other hand, the tapered pintail provides all the performance essentials and improves the control which leads to better surfing.
Once you are in the water, you can easily maintain your position without much effort, thanks to its low rocker. With this feature, it becomes easy to sustain speed and keeps the board going once you gain enough acceleration.
All in all, with the ideal width and high volume, catching any kind of wave is not a trouble. The prominent vee-double concave from the front to back makes your surfing experience very lively.
#2. KONA SURF CO. Midlength Surfboard
This midlength surfboard can take your surfing to the whole new level with all of its exciting features.
A complete package of fun and performance, this Kona Surf Co. surfboard is one of the best you can get. The outline is dedicated to improving the overall shape of the surfboard and keeps the board going in the harsh waters in the direction you want.
The special rocker maintains the balance while you turn and move on the board without adversely impacting your stability. This board easily turns effortlessly and gives you the experience like no other. Every surf makes you feel that you are a pro.
The right bottom contour is what you need for the optimal performance and speed, and this surfboard has the best. The concave shape provides what you desire. Additionally, the squash tail shape enhances the performance and gives the speed and stability to your board that can make it your favorite forever.
Having the PU core and overall PU construction, this surfboard is offered in four different sizes from 7ft 2 inch to 8 ft. Also, this board has the three fin setup which further increases its performance abilities.
#3. NSP Elements HDT Fish Shortboard
The fastest shortboard to give you all the performance you want along with fun.
This surfboard has classical stability like no other. This fish shortboard is wide with the flat rocker profile. This board gives you maximum drive, optimal grip, and down-the-line speed because of its flattest sections.
No matter what the condition is, this surfboard gives the optimal performance in every situation. Even when the waves are smallest, its wide nose adds volume under the chest and makes you ready to gain fast speed in no time. This feature adds more paddle power to the board as well.
Behind the front fins, there’s a slight hip that lowers the area under the back foot and provides the turns like no other. Along with this, full rails also increase volume and give the best turning feel.
Furthermore, this board also features a five fin box system that makes the board ready according to the current wave condition and helps you to give your best. Overall, having different sizes with the top construction, this surfboard is truly one of the best surfboards of 2020.
#4. BIC Sport Ace-Tec Longboard
It is the combination of the longboard and shortboard that gives ultimate fun with the performance that you can dream of.
This surfboard is very stable, no matter what the condition of the water is. Its integral design elements provide quick turnings like a shortboard with the stable speed and agility. Also, it enhances the surfing technique while managing the board length.
The board is highly durable and lasts for ages truly because of the special outer protective shell but the durability doesn’t make it heavy at all. The weight is light and the body is very tough and stiff. All these things are because of its special epoxy fiberglass ACE-TEC construction which is unique for this board.
Furthermore, it has the thruster tri fin setup that completes its three fin system that makes it functional in diverse wave conditions. All in all, this surfboard makes you stand out in public due to its unique sophisticated style and amazing performing abilities.
#5. South Bay Board Co. – Hybrid Surfboards
It is one of the best hybrid surfboards to fulfill all your surfing needs.
Custom designed by SSBC, this surfboard is semi-beginner friendly and gives the performance that you like. It is very durable and lasts very long because of its high-quality construction.
This hybrid surfboard features hard fiberglass bottom that gives the true sturdiness and stiffness needed to surf flawlessly on the waves. On the other hand, the board has a wax-free soft-top to give the grip and comfort like no other. This combination makes it to give the traditional high performance. Further, the 6 oz layers of resins add the extra durability to this board.
Whether the waves are big or small, this surfing board offers the best. The wide nugget like shape additionally improves the performance and makes it shore break ready along with optimal paddling. Not only that, but these features give the additional pop that makes you feel that you are skateboarding on water.
Additionally, this board has the tapered rails for the optimal functionality along with the proper nose tail rocker that suits its size and style. Overall, with this surfboard, you get the perfect performance to face all kinds of waves along with the fun that you deserve.
Surfing Boards Types
Surfboards are categorized according to their shape and type. Every category has its own king. Here is the list of different types of surfboards with one best of each type.
Longboard
Also renowned as a ‘log’ or ‘cruiser’, the longboards are usually 8 or 12 feet long with most of them having a rounded nose.
They are best for beginners especially because they are very much stable in the water and easy to paddle. It is also effortless with longboards to catch a wave. Because of their big size, they are hard to carry inside water or outside – it is their only negative aspect.
One of the best longboard surfboards Review
Modern Surfboards Blackbird PU
Modern Surfboards’ Blackbird Longboard is the best longboard for beginners to advanced riders who just want to enjoy every wave that they encounter.
This longboard has a fun shape which is simple and offers a good time for the riders. Ideal for almost every wave condition, it has a reliable PU construction.
It is designed specially by keeping in mind small to medium sized waves. It has a rounded nose area that allows the rider to shift the weight forward when the wave comes to you by trimming it through.
From nose to tail, its generous outline increases the stability of the board. This board features moderate rockers that aid in paddling smoothly or making exceptional turns.
For better speed and transition, it has the vee-to-double concave bottom. No matter what is your skill level is, it has the biggest sweet spot than others to treat everyone who wants to enjoy the coming waves. Available in three different sizes from 7 feet to 8 feet, this surfboard offers real fun to all.
Check More Our Review about top Longboard Surfboards at Here
Shortboard
Another name for shortboard is thruster. They are more common in contest style surfing because of their paddling ease, power control, and speed.
They are easy to carry and usually have the length between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 4 inches, and 16 and 19 inches width.
Most of the shortboards have rounded square tail.
They are not for beginners and usually are the choice of advanced surfers.
Best Shortboard Review
ECS Boards – Bulldog V-Flex Short Surfboard
Specifically made to be ridden in 90% of surf, this board is the best from ECS Boards with its amazing design and high-quality construction.
This shortboard is ideal for every man and woman who want to enjoy every wave when surfing on the water.
It is the high-performance board having a double concave bottom for providing ease at rail-to-rail transitions. Having a low consistent rocker to boost speed and offering easy paddling, this board a super fast and easy to maneuver.
Constructed using high-quality materials with beautiful design, this board has a high volume. Ideal for the beginners as well as experienced riders, this board offer something for all.
It is made using the V-flex bamboo vacuum present in between the deck and carbon vector net.
Featuring a V-Flex technology, this board maintains compression resistance while offering greater flex.
Available in a different size starting from 5’6 to 6’8, this board offers completely fun surfing for all.
Fish Board
The fish surfboards have the size more or less similar to the shortboards with the length between 5’2″ and 6’4″ and width between 18″ and 22″.
However, they are different because of their rounder and wider nose with midsection width and swallowtail.
Perfect be used in a small to medium sized wave, fish surfboards are used to enhance the wave catching ability of the surfer while maintaining speed and controlling motion.
Best fish surfboards Review
The 5’8 Mahi
Ideal for the best performance that allows easy floating and padding with optimum speed, 5’8 Mahi hybrid surfboard is the best fish board you can find in the market.
Specially designed and tested, this South Bay Board Co. is 5 feet 8 inches in length, 21 inches wide and 2 3/4 inches thick. It is a working surf miracle as it allows stable transitions with no trouble.
It is constructed using high-quality materials only. Its whole development is highly advanced and includes I-Beam Stringer and EPS closed cell foam. To make it sturdy and strong, it has two 6oz layers of resins.
To give it a traditional look, it is made with real bamboo having clear resin on the bottom deck. Like other boards of the similar producer, this board is offers enhanced gripping with stronger texture.
5’8 Mahi is a fun fish shapes with wider chest area and the classical fishtail to compact every wave that comes in the way.
Check More Our Review about Top Fish Surfboards at Here.
Funboard
With the length between 6’6″ and 8’8″ and the width of 20 inches to 22 inches, the funboard is a combination of longboard and shortboard.
It has the paddling power of the former one and the turning power of the later board.
Funboard makes it easy to perform in every condition that’s why they are suitable for the intermediate surfers.
Gun surfboards
Gun surfboard get their name from the term elephant gun. It means that the surfer uses this board as the gun to tackle big waves.
They have a size ranging from 6 feet to 10 feet plus. Usually their nose and tail are pointy and narrow for maximum rail contact.
As they are big and powerful with their ideal shape, they are easy to control and paddle in big waves and shallow waves alike. Gun surfboards are for the experienced only.
Hybrid Board
Hybrid surfboards are simply a mixture of two similar board types. For instance a combination of a shortboard or a fish, or a longboard or a shortboard.
These boards have the mixture quality of both the boards combined like it takes the volume of one and size of the other.
Best hybrid surfboards Review
NSP Elements Hybrid Short Surfboard
Claimed to be the best selling hybrid surfboard in the world by the NSP, this board has a versatile design with highly durable construction.
This hybrid board has the ultimate features of best performing shortboard and highly advanced fish board.
The board is designed for the average everyday surfer you just want to search irrespective of the condition of the waves.
When the conditions are not ideal then it has a flatter rocker and it’s optimum width allows the surfer to catch the high tide waves and maintaining the perfect speed.
In the steeper waves, it uses the performance rails and shortboard tail to maneuver with the greater speeds. The board is made light weighted with the use of water-resistant EPS foam core fibreglass.
It is highly durable, strong, and light it as it is laminated with epoxy resin. This powerful performing durable hybrid surfboard comes in five different sizes so the surfer could select the suit him/her the most.
Paddle Boards
Another addition in this list is the paddle board. It is a large board which is wide and has more buoyancy. It allows the rider to stand up by paddling.
The common length of these boards is 10 to 12 feet. The paddler requires good balancing skills and can surf from the small waves to bigger ones.
You don’t need this board for the sea only; you can use it and standing lake or pond as well to enjoy the nature.
Best paddle boards Review
BIC Sport TOUGH-TEC Performer Sup Stand Up
Ideal for flat water or small wave surfing, it is a tough paddle board having blended surf inspired longboard outline that has made it the International best seller.
Having an embossed EVA deck pad, it is a highly comfortable paddle board with exceptional traction. To provide easy transport and securing gear, it comes with different attachment points.
It also has an ergo-grip carry handle with the re-curved inner surface. While still enjoying in the surf zone, it maintains a moderate rocker profile. To smoothen rail transfers and pivot turns, it has around thumb tail shape.
Available in three different sizes, riders could select the one best Performer for themselves.
Best beginner surfboards Review
The 8’8 Heritage
8’8 is the best beginner surfboard that supports the new surfers of up to 230 lbs.
This board of South Bay Board Co. contains all the key features that a board rider looks in the surfboard.
With 8 feet 8 inches of length, 3.25 inches of thickness, and 23 inches of width, this board has the ideal dimension to initiate surfing.
The bit of extra length is all that is needed by the new surfer. This longboard also comes with pulled in squash tail shape, wider chest area, and rounded out nose which, in combination, enhance the boards stability too many folds.
The 8’8 Heritage has a special design; triple stringer system that is enclosed by heat compressed EPS Closed Cell Foam so no water is absorbed. Also, it has two 6 oz resin layers that improve the toughness and rigidity of the board.
For safe storage, rubber bumper is there. To naturally remove the heat, Heat Release Valve is present that doesn’t allow bubbling and de-lamination.
It has foam texture and no use wax that means surfboard appears cleaner for a longer time and it is also easier to clean it when becomes dirty. The design provides a better and stronger grip.
Best Intermediate Surfboards
After finishing level 1, surfers usually think that it is now the correct time to switch to the shortboard, but in actual it is the right time to use the longboards to master your skills. For your transition board don’t go for the board that is very small.
- Length: As a general rule, when the surfer is shifting from beginner to intermediate, the board should be longer than 6″ to 12″ of their height. Also, the board should have enough volume.
- Construction: Epoxy construction is mainly recommended because of the weight benefit and the strength they have.
- Weight: Lightweight is recommended as it makes it easy to stay up on the water and paddle easily.
Best intermediate surfboards Review
BIC Sport ACE-TEC
The new 9’6″ ACE-TEC is the best intermediate surfboards available in the market today. It is perfect for any sized surfer with its just right stability and ideal volume.
BIC Sports create some of the best services in the market and this one is my personal favorite because it is a combo of classic and modern construction.
This longboard has a classic shape with proven Epoxy technology. This ‘big boy’ has the volume that does not interfere in the speed and agility of the surfer when it comes to making turns and fast progression.
It is the larger surfboard for the accomplished surfers who know how to tackle the waves.
Even with its great volume and length of 9 feet, it is highly light weighted. It has an ASA composite skin enclosing an epoxy resin impregnated glass fibre. It also comes with FCS fins.
This longboard is made in France and because of its powerful construction, it is 30% stronger than the traditional surfboards and exceptionally durable.
Best Small Wave Surfboards
The fish short surfboards are the best small wave surfboards because simple standard shortboards alone are not good for the small waves. These are the general features of the small wave surfboards:
- Wider tail
- Quad or big side fins with a small trailer fin
- Extra width and thickness
- Having shoulder height
Best small wave surfboards Review
NSP Elements Fish Short Surfboard
Flatter-rockered, wide, and fast, these things define the NDP Elements Fish Shortboard Surfboard the best. No matter what the condition is, it has a wide nose that includes more volume under your chest to enhance your paddling power.
Also, it enhances the ability to enter into the smallest waves with great acceleration. To make the turns even livelier, it has a side hip behind the front fins.
Not only that, but it also includes more volume and increases the feel. It gives you traction, speed, and enough drive to enjoy your surf.
It is constructed by using the water-resistant EPS foam core fiberglass which is light in weight and makes it strong and durable.
Best Surfing Board Brands
There are many surfboard brands in the market today but the following are my personal favorite because of their durable and quality products.
NSP
NSP stands for New Surf Project. Functioning since 2001, they use modern technology to make lightweight and ding resistant surfboards.
They use the best material in the development of their surfboards and paddleboards.
Their surfboard size ranges from 5 feet 6 inches fish style to the classic longboards having the size of 10 feet. From basic developing material NSP elements to highly advanced NSP E+, there is a diverse range of material being used.
NSP provides long lasting and high-quality surfboards that come in unique shapes and perfect performance.
South Bay Board Co
Using the high-quality material and best manufacturing, South Bay Board Co. has set very high standards when making surfboards.
From entry level series to the experts, this Southern California company designs and creates the best boards. For a constant level of quality and performance, they use custom design and molded shapes.
They have multiple level testing systems to make sure that the surfboard has the perfect standard.
BIC Sport
BIC surfboards are for beginners, top-level pros, masters, and casual riders. They have a full range of boards made from using most durable constructing materials like polyethylene, composite skin, glassfibre, etc.
Their boards are durable and resistant to any kind of glides and knocks. Most of their surfboards are made in France. Founded in 1979, the BIC Sport enjoyed enough time in the industry to know about what surfers want in surfboards.