After their first lesson, one of the most common questions our students ask is: “Where can I buy a surfboard?” We love the enthusiasm — and we always give the same honest answer: don’t buy one yet. Here’s the advice we give every student, based on decades of watching beginners buy the right board… and the wrong one.
Who We Are
North Shore Surf Girls is a female-founded, family-owned surf school in Hale’iwa on Oahu’s North Shore. We teach everyone—men, women, couples, families, and kids ages 5 and up.
Rule #1: Rent Before You Buy
Rent or borrow boards until you find one that’s the right size for your current skill level — and that you’ve actually ridden successfully. Here’s why this matters so much:
Once you ride a board, you can’t return it. We’ve met too many beginner surfers who walked into a surf shop and got sold a high-performance board meant for an advanced surfer. It looks cool. It’s completely wrong for learning. And after one session in the water, it’s yours.
Understanding the Size Progression
Board size is everything for beginners. Here’s the progression we use in our own lessons:
- Your first lesson: a big, stable board (we start students on 11-foot boards) — easy to balance on and safer
- As you progress: you’ll move down to a 10-foot board
- Eventually: most surfers settle on a board under 8 feet
The trap: buy a board that’s too small for your level and you won’t be able to catch waves with it. Frustration sets in, and some people give up surfing entirely — or at minimum have to go buy a bigger board anyway. Ride the size that matches your skills today, not the size you hope to ride someday.
Short Board vs. Long Board: The One-Line Answer
- Long boards are easier to catch waves with
- Short boards turn sharper
As a beginner, catching waves is the whole game — which is why bigger is better at the start.
On a Budget? There’s a Smart Starter Option
If you really want your own board right away, an inexpensive soft-top foam board (the kind sold at big-box stores) is a forgiving, beginner-friendly choice that won’t break the bank while you’re learning. Soft tops are stable, safer in the water, and you won’t cry if you ding one.
Practical Buying Checklist
Before you buy, make sure:
- You’ve rented or borrowed a board of similar size, shape, and thickness — and ridden it successfully
- The board matches your current skill level, not your goal
- You can comfortably carry it (and it fits on or in your car!)
- You’ve asked an instructor or experienced surfer for a second opinion
FAQs
Q: What size surfboard should a beginner buy?
A: Bigger than you think. If you’re just past your first lessons, look in the 9–11 foot range depending on your size and progress. When in doubt, go bigger — you can always size down later.
Q: Why not just buy the board I’ll eventually want?
A: Because you won’t catch waves on it yet — and catching waves is how you improve (and how surfing stays fun).
Q: Are soft-top boards okay to learn on?
A: Absolutely — we recommend them. They’re stable, affordable, and much more forgiving than fiberglass.
Q: Can I ask my instructor for board-buying advice?
A: Please do! After your lesson, we’re happy to tell you exactly what size and shape suit where you are right now.
Not Sure Yet? Take a Lesson First
The best way to know what board is right for you is to ride a few — with an instructor who can watch how you surf and point you in the right direction.
Questions? Call 808-637-2977 or contact us.