Aloha Crew! I’m John from Caloundra Surf School. With the wonderful Lisa Wallis moving on, our editor Alana asked me to contribute a few words about surfing. I thought I’d kick things off with some advice on finding the right board for a new surfer.
There are three basic things to consider:
1. New or second-hand board?
2. Hard or soft board?
3. What size board do you need?
New boards can be pricey, so many beginners opt for second-hand options—check out Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or your local surf shop.
If you’re keen to surf regularly, I recommend starting with a hard board.
The most common mistake new surfers make is choosing a board that’s too small. Smaller boards offer less flotation and stability, making it much harder to catch and ride waves. The right size board depends on your experience, weight, fitness, balance, and coordination.
The key board dimensions are length, width, and thickness (still measured in the old imperial feet and inches). Multiplied together, these determine a board’s volume—measured in litres—which tells you how much flotation it has.
Hard boards are usually made from either PU foam (the traditional material) or EPS foam (also called epoxy, which is lighter and offers about 15% more flotation).
Softboards generally have more volume, which makes them easier—and safer—for beginners to learn on.
But before you commit to buying a board, I strongly recommend booking a lesson with an experienced surf coach. They can help you find the right size and style of board, saving you a lot of money and frustration.
So do yourself a favour—have a chat with Russell at North Caloundra Surf School (0411 221 730), or give me a call at Caloundra Surf School (0413 381 010). It is our pleasure to share with you the joys of surfing!
