SURFBOARD INFORMATION - KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING YOUR FIRST SURFBOARD:

Thinking about getting into surfing? Going to the beach this summer to take surfing lessons? Looking for your first surfboard? Well below is information from Hansen Surfboards that will help you make purchasing your first surfboard a little easier. There are 4 key points that you need to take into account with your surfboard when you are learning to surf or are buying your first board. These all have to do with the surfboards design, dimensions, and material makeup of the board. I am a true believer that the surfboard can make or break your first experience surfing. The right board will give you confidence and a positive outlook on the sport and the wrong surfboard can frustrate you to the point of no return.

Josh Hansen - Hansen Surfboards - Hansen's Surf Shop - The Next Generation - Since 1961

MODERN SHORTBOARDS

Our boardroom carries one of the largest selections of shortboards in the country. We carry all the top shapers including Channel Islands, Lost, Rusty, AKA, Ezera, and many more. Have questions or wish to order your next ride give us a call, or you can check out our inventory updated every week.

SURFBOARD INFORMATION - WHAT SIZE SURFBOARD SHOULD I BUY?

Fist question I always get with a first time surfboard buyer or even someone who is getting into the sport again after along time away is what size surfboard should I ride? The answer is not what size surfboard you should ride, but rather the questions should be what type of surfer you are and where are you going to be surfing? If you are beginner then the size of the surfboard is going to be critical to your surfing experience. I recommend going with a longer, wider, and thicker board at this level. Your weight is most important when deciding these surfboard dimensions and I believe that you should never start on a board any shorter then 7’ regardless of weight. A board small than 7’ is just too small for a first time surfer. The other dimensions of this type of surfboard should be around 22” wide and around 3” thick to make sure the float and buoyancy is correct. If the buoyancy is correct then the board will float high in the water and this will give the surfboard good paddle as well as keep the board stable. Float and stability are imperative to learning how to surf!

FISH AND RETRO SHAPE SURFBOARDS

Our boardroom boasts a large selection of retro shapes and fish that work great in small summer surf, or to aid in catching waves on those crowded days at Swami’s. With brands like Channel Islands, Rusty, KG, Mark Richards Surfboards, and many more Hansen’s has the shape you are looking for. Have questions or wish to order your next ride give us a call, or you can check out our inventory updated every week.

SURFBOARD INFORMATION - BUY A NEW SURFBOARD OR BUY A USED SURFBOARD?

Second question is always should I buy a used surfboard, a foam surfboard, a glass surfboard, or an epoxy surfboard? The other question is why are all these board so different in price? There is really no correct answer to these questions so I will just give you some information that will help you buy the correct board. I think that all first time surfers should start on a foam surfboard and the reason for this is that they are really buoyant and user friendly. It is hard to damage a foam surfboard and foam is soft. Two things that always happen when you are learning to surf are boards hit you and this can hurt so a soft surfboard will help to protect you and your confidence. You also will always manage to damage a surfboard when learning, don’t worry it happens to everyone so a soft board will alleviate this from happening. Soft surfboards are also very inexpensive and if you are really not sure if you are going to surf a lot then this is a perfect starting point. Some draw backs to foam boards are they don’t give you much performance and if you start surfing a lot you will find yourself progressing quickly and need a hard surfboard quite fast. If a foam board is not the answer then I would say either an entry level glass surfboard made by a local shaper in your area or even better an epoxy surfboard. The reason epoxy is great for an entry level surfer is that it is very buoyant and it is very durable. These two factors provide a stable platform to paddle from and the damage that inevitably happens when learning is dramatically decreased as this material is really strong. Just as a quick note epoxy surfboards are also ridden by many experienced surfers. You will find many epoxy surfboards available in the market place today and many of these are for all types of surfing abilities from the first time surfer to the touring professional. The final material is glass and these surfboards you will find being made for all types of surfers and these boards give you great feel and performance, but they lack in durability for a first time surfer so they can get damaged easily. They also don’t have as much buoyancy so for a first time surfer they tend to not catch waves as well. A less expensive glass surfboard will get you further down the line of learning to surf, but you may experience some hold ups with ding repair and damage to your own body, but at some point if you surf for long enough you will buy a glass surfboard shaped by a local shaper in the USA. Also keep in mind used surfboards with the right dimensions are also a good board for the first time surfer.

FUN OR EGG SHAPE SURFBOARDS

Hansen's Boardroom has a very large selection of Fun or Egg shape surfboards. This style of surfboard is great for the beginner to intermediate surfer, or the guy who wants the wave catching benefits of a longboard and the turning capabilities of a shortboard or fish. Have questions or wish to order your next ride give us a call, or you can check out our inventory updated every week.

SURFBOARD INFORMATION - HOW MUCH ROCKER (AND WHAT IS ROCKER, ANYWAY)?

As you shop for your first surfboard and you get to talking with a shop guy about surfboards you will hear the word rocker used a lot. This is the curve of the board from nose to tail. Rocker is used to give each board different performance characteristics. First time buyers should be looked at rocker in a surfboard carefully. I recommend a surfboard with medium rocker and this is because too much rocker is going to push water like a plow pushes snow, which will make it difficult to catch waves. Too little rocker means the board is very flat, which means the board glides across the water really well, but when trying to catch waves the nose of the board pearls or dives under the water. Medium rocker is right in the middle meaning the board has some curve to the board, which allows for the nose to stay above water, but not too much which will cause the board to push water. Most recognized surf shops will be able to lead you to the correct surfboard with the correct rocker for a first time surfer.

MODERN AND CLASSIC LONGBOARDS

Hansen's Boardroom has a large selection of Modern and Classic longboards. Whether you are looking for a noserider, performance longboard, classic, or showpiece we have what you are looking for. With brands like Walden, Hansen, Takayama, and many more we boast one of the largest longboard inventories in the country.

SURFBOARD INFORMATION - HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR MY SURFBOARD?

The last question is always how much should I pay for my first surfboard? I say do what feels right for you at that moment in time. Don’t let a sales person talk you to a board you don’t feel comfortable with. I see many buyers of surfboards get talked into a board they did not feel comfortable with themselves and almost always they come back regretting making the purchase. I say start out conservative with entry level surfboards that are always lower in price because if you get hooked, which you will, then you are always going to need and want other boards and at that point then it is the right time to invest in the more expensive, more high performance surfboards.

SOFT TOP BEGINNER SURFBOARDS

Enjoy surfing and feel free to call us or email cs@hansensurf.com with any other questions