What is the Ideal Shortboard Surfboard Size for Beginners?

If you are wanting to learn to surf on a shortboard, you are probably wondering what the ideal shortboard surfboard size for beginners is. Well, if you have a choice of what kind of board to use, it is better to learn on a longboard. A thick and long one will allow you to stand, balance and ride the wave longer. If you do have a choice and decide to learn on a shortboard, it will take you longer to find your balance, it will be more difficult to catch a wave, and because most of the shortboard will be submerged with your body(depending on your size), you will have to work harder to paddle to the line up and on to a wave.

I wanted to surf on a shortboard but couldn't go out and buy one for myself, most of the boards that i rode as a beginner came from neighbors and friends who saw my need, and wanted to help. Although i don't remember the specifications of my first shortboard, i do remember that it was yellow when i got it, but in excellent condition. I thought it really was the perfect board for me as a beginner. It was wide and thick and about 2-4 inches taller than me. This shortboard allowed me to surf with a little more ease then if i were to ride something shorter, narrow, and thinner, but it does depend on what you can afford, what you have, or how hard you want to work in the water.

Here are a list of shortboard surfboards for beginners:

The Egg-Due the round shape of this board and the length of the board(6-8ft) it is ideal for beginners to learn and surf in all types of conditions.

The Fish-although generally known as a shorter board(under 6 ft) with a 'tail(shaped like a fishes tail)' Other shortboards designs have adopted this property and are sometimes called fish surfboards.

Finding the right shortboard as a beginner will allow you to progress as a shortboarder and possibly move on to a board that will better suit you and the waves you will ride. Until then surfing a shortboard that is wider, or thicker to support your body weight will help in the learning process and to explore the possiblities of shortboarding.