Getting your first surfboard is an exciting step in your surfing journey. Not only will having your own board help you to progress quickly, it will also motivate you to go surfing more often since you won’t need to worry about renting!

Buying a board can be intimidating, especially if you’ve just started surfing and don’t have much knowledge about the different lengths and shapes. This is why we’ve partnered with SurfDome to make this handy roundup of the best surfboards to level up your surfing the fun way!

Beginner boards

DMZ Square Softboard Surfboard

Best suited for: Beginners

Cost: £ 

Pros: A great entry-level foamie without breaking the bank, this board is super cheap and easy to learn on. Go for the 8ft model for easy paddling and maximising your wave count or choose the 6ft model to get a feel for a shortboard shape whilst still having that buoyancy.

Soft Tech Rolla Surfboard

Best suited for: Beginners 

Cost: ££

Pros: With heaps of volume, a high surface area and a very forgiving mini-mal shape, you’ll catch loads of waves on this soft-top surfboard (and have loads of fun!). The convenient built-in carry handle makes the walk down to the beach a breeze.

Vision XPS Take Off Surfboard

Best suited for: Beginners 

Cost: £££

Pros: Catch even the smallest ripple with the 9ft model of this premium soft-top surfboard. The higher volume in the shorter lengths means more stability and paddle ease and a super grippy deck also makes it the ideal board to take out in more challenging conditions.

Softech Handshaped Sally Fitzgibbons Thruster Surfboard

Best suited for: Beginners 

Cost: ££

Pros: Designed with women and girls in mind, this signature shape by pro surfer Sally Fitzgibbons is wide and stable, making it super easy to paddle. It only goes up to 7ft, which means it would best suit a progressor surfer, a petite beginner or someone with a consistent pop up (it will also fit inside most cars). The swallow tail gives you a bit more speed and easier turns, and the pastel pink colour is lush!

Intermediate boards

Softech Brainchild FCS II Surfboard

Best suited for: Intermediates 

Cost: ££

Pros: A great step-up board to progress your surfing. The versatile shape means you can have fun with this board in mushy and hollow conditions. A wider nose and tail makes it easier to paddle into a wave and find that glide, and the toolless fin system allows you to change your fins mid-session depending on the conditions.

Indio Endurance Egg Surfboard

Best suited for: Intermediates 

Cost: ££

Pros: With generous volume, rounded rails, a wider nose and a gradual rocker for easy paddling, this is the perfect first hardboard for someone progressing from a foam board looking for a smoother surfing experience. The all-round shape means it will work well in most conditions, from onshore mush to head-high waves.

Maluku Genie Surfboard

Best suited for: Intermediates 

Cost: £££

Pros: From a fun 6’6ft mid length all the way up to a 9ft longboard, whatever length you go for you’re guaranteed cruisey rides and down-the-line speed on this beautiful board. The single concave through the nose gives you some lift to help you into smaller waves, whilst the flat rocker provides speed. The round tail means long drawn out turns and a good hold in the face of the wave. You can experiment with fin setups too, surfing it as a single fin, 2+1 or Cruiser.

Check out the full range of beginner and intermediate surfboards over at Surfdome!