You are lost to choose and buy your surfboard for beginners? You wonder what are the specificities to know in order to buy your surfboard ?
You are in the right place! We'll explain everything point by point!
Which surfboard to choose to start: foam or resin?
The first thing to decide is whether you want to start out on a foam or resin (polyester or epoxy) surfboard.
Here is an article that defines the advantages and disadvantages of each construction:
This article (to be read before continuing), will allow you to better orient yourself according to your desires, one can indeed as well begin on a resin board as on a foam board!
So we're assuming you want to buy a foam surfboard for the future!
What are the criteria for choosing a foam surfboard?
Before starting, here is a glossary of terms that will be explained below:
- IXPE: This foam, also called polyolefin foam, is a foam with a closed cell structure. This means that it does not soak up water, it is light and extremely rigid. It can also be used for thermal insulation, padding or fireproofing.
- PE: PE foam, or cross-linked polyethylene foam, is almost similar to IXPE foam, it has exactly the same properties. PE foam is not used on the deck of surfboards because its surface is rougher (less smooth) and could cause irritation during your surf sessions!
- EPS: Also known as expanded polystyrene, is a foam frequently used for the core of epoxy resin surfboards. EPS is a very high density foam, it allows to have a buoyancy out of standard and is essential to the construction of a surfboard.
- HDPE: For high-density polyethylene, is a thermoplastic used to cover the hull of surfboards or bodyboards. It allows an optimal water flow when you surf. It is also an essential part of a foam surfboard!
The surfboard made of foam AND epoxy resin:
Thereare different constructions for a foam surfboard. First of all you have to differentiate between foam surfboards and resin surfboards with a soft top!
The softop resin surfboard is a classic resin board, but instead of the last layer of resin, it is replaced by an IXPE foam deck.
On the underside there is usually a HDPE slick as on all foam boards.
The fact that we keep a traditional core allows these boards to be stiffer and therefore more powerful. Generally less suitable for beginners, these boards are recommended for experienced surfers who want a board to have fun in the summer without getting injured but still keeping good gliding performance.
Here is an example of soft top resin products that can be found:
The classic foam surfboard:
The classic foam surfboard, in order to be surfable, must be made up of very important key points.
It must have an EPS foam core, with HDPE slick on the bottom and non-abrasive foam on the top.
This does not make it a good foam surfboard! If the stiffness is not sufficient, the board will not reflect the pressure, and can break in two very easily like a vulgar beach toy.
A stringer is usually found in the middle of the board, which is implanted in the length to stiffen and solidify the board.
It will also have to have a sufficiently dense foam so as not to get soaked and end up with an anchor weighing 20 kilos under your feet!
Select the right shape and size of board for your level and size:
On the foam surfboard market, you will find everything, different manufacturing qualities, and a multitude of unique and original shapes.
However, there are some major trends: eggs, fishes, mini-malibu and longboards most often.
You will have to choose your shape according to several points:
- Your level
- Your weight / height
- Your desires
- The type of waves you want to surf
A few examples to remember to give you some pointers:
For example, for a 70 kilo beginner, we recommend a shape egg or mini malibu between 7'0 and 8'0 (depending on the surfer's physical condition, the more physical the user is, the more he can go down in volume in order to gain maneuverability on the wave).
For a child of 35 kilos who has passed the beginner phase, a surfboard in 6'6 egg will be for example a perfect model so that he can continue to progress while having fun and keeping a maximum of comfort!
An 80+ kilo person who has only taken a few surfing lessons will be better off with a mini-malibu of at least 8'4, up to 9'0 depending on how consistently they surf.
Now let's see why you should choose to buy a PRISM board over another model.
The different advantages of PRISM foam boards:
PRISM foam surfboards have many advantages over the competition. They are made of all the materials necessary to build a solid, efficient and reliable surfboard!
Our shapes are developed, designed and tested in France by our team in order to produce boards that best suit our users and the surf conditions that can be found on the French coast.
You will find foam surfboards for all levels thanks to our wide range of sizes and shapes: from 6'0 to 9'0 available in egg, mini malibu and longboard!
Structurally, what makes the difference?
Our boards are made with a 100% hydrophobic EPS core to prevent the foam pad from soaking in and weighing down your board. Its high density, as well as the two marine wood reinforcement stringers that run through its entire length, will allow your PRISM foam surfboard to be extremely rigid and strong to guarantee maximum performance in the water.
On top of the EPS core, there is a reinforced PE foam deck to stiffen the board once again and guarantee better performance when you push on your legs to make a turn. This deck is connected to the EPS bread, by a layer of heat welding which is the only way to effectively link the two layers.
In order not to be abrasive to your wetsuit or your skin, this last layer is covered with an IXPE coating, still dense and hydrophobic to prevent the board from getting soaked!
Here is the detailed explanation in pictures:
Here are some examples of PRISM models that you might like:
Conclusion:
In this article we have reviewed the different foam surfboard structures, the few most common shapes, and determined which construction is the most effective for beginner surfers needing a high performance, reliable and quality board.
A foam surfboard must be adapted to your needs, it must be efficient and must accompany you throughout your progression, until the transition phase to an epoxy surfboard.
It is therefore important to make the right choice of foam board in order to progress quickly while having fun!
We hope to have helped you in your choice, do not hesitate to send us an email or to call us on the contact number of the site to ask your questions.
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