What size surfboard should a beginner get?
Updated 2026-10-11 · Unkook surf coaching
Length vs volume
- Length affects how easily you paddle into waves and how stable the board feels. Longer is easier to learn on.
- Volume (in litres) is how much the board floats. More volume means easier paddling, more stability, and more waves caught. For learning, volume matters more than any other number.
As a rough guide for beginners: litres ≈ your weight in kg × 1.0 or more. Heavier, less fit or less experienced? Go bigger. Example: a 75 kg adult learning would be comfortable on 75–90 litres, which is typical of an 8–9 ft foam board.
Why a foam board first
- Stable and buoyant, so you catch more waves and stand up more often.
- Soft, so getting hit by your own board hurts a lot less.
- Cheap, and easy to rent at most beginner beaches.
When to move to a smaller board
Move down when you can do these consistently (roughly level 3 on the surf levels):
- Paddle into small unbroken waves on your own
- Pop up in one motion before the wave breaks
- Ride along the face for a few seconds
Step down gradually: from an 8–9 ft foamie to a 7–8 ft hard board (a "funboard" or "mini-mal"), not straight to a shortboard. Jumping too far too soon is the most common way people stop progressing.
Common mistakes
- Buying a shortboard because it looks cool. You'll catch far fewer waves and progress slower.
- Going too short too soon. If you suddenly stop catching waves on a new board, it's too small for now.
- Ignoring volume. Two boards of the same length can float very differently.
See what you're doing on your own waves. Send one wave to Unkook and get it broken down moment by moment: slow motion, arrows on what to fix, and one thing to practise next session.
Analyse my wave freeFAQ
Is a longboard good for beginners?
Yes, a soft-top longboard (8–9 ft) is the classic first board. Traditional 9 ft+ hard longboards are also easy to catch waves on but heavier to carry and harder to control in white water.
What size surfboard for a 60 kg beginner?
Around 60–75 litres, typically a 7'6"–8'6" foam board. Smaller, lighter surfers can go a little shorter than the 8–9 ft rule of thumb.
What size surfboard for a 90 kg beginner?
90 litres or more, usually a 9 ft foam board or longer.
Should kids use smaller boards?
Kids need less volume, but the same idea applies: a soft, buoyant board that floats them easily.