What Size Surfboard Do I Need?
The choice of surfboard size depends on a couple of factors. The first is ability and second is time in the water. In general, the bigger the board the better it will be to catch waves on. Take a look at the tables below to get an idea about the minimum sizes that you should be looking at for your surfboard. Be sure you make the right choice when buying a board and have a chat with the surf shop staff for their advice.
- A novice surfer will need a larger board than a more skilled surfer.
- A surfer who only surfs occasionally will need a bigger board than one who surfs regularly.
- A board that is too small will hold back a surfers improvement and probably result in frustration
Shortboard Sizes
Note that the sizes below should be used as a guide only - if in doubt get something a little bigger.
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Surfing Less Than 1 Day Per Week
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| Surfer Weight (lbs) |
Surfboard Length |
Surfboard Width |
Surfboard Thickness |
| 100 - 140 |
6' 2" - 6' 4" |
18 3/4 - 19 1/4 |
2 1/4 - 2 3/8 |
| 140 - 160 |
6' 4" - 6' 8" |
19 - 20 |
2 3/8 - 2 1/2 |
| 160 - 180 |
6' 6" - 6' 10" |
19 1/2 - 20 1/2 |
2 1/2 - 2 5/8 |
| 180 - 200 |
6' 10" - 7' 4" |
20 - 21 1/2 |
2 3/4 - 3 |
| 200 + |
7' 4" + |
21 1/2 - 22 1/2 |
3 - 3 1/4 |
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Surfing At Least 1 Day Per Week
|
| Surfer Weight (lbs) |
Surfboard Length |
Surfboard Width |
Surfboard Thickness |
| 100 - 140 |
6' 0" - 6' 4" |
18 1/2 - 19 |
2 1/4 - 2 3/8 |
| 140 - 160 |
6' 2" - 6' 6" |
18 3/4 - 19 1/4 |
2 3/8 - 2 1/2 |
| 160 - 180 |
6' 4" - 6' 8" |
19 - 19 3/4 |
2 1/2 - 2 5/8 |
| 180 - 200 |
6' 8" - 7' 2" |
19 1/2 - 20 1/2 |
2 5/8 - 2 7/8 |
| 200 + |
7' 2" + |
20 - 21 1/2 |
3 - 3 1/4 |
Funboard Sizes
Funboards (Minimals) are much more suited to someone new to surfing and ideal to start getting waves straight away. You still need to make sure the board is large enough to suit your weight and surfing ability.
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Surfing Less Than 1 Day Per Week
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| Surfer Weight (lbs) |
Surfboard Length |
Surfboard Width |
Surfboard Thickness |
| 100 - 140 |
7'0" - 7'4" |
20 1/4 - 21 |
2 1/2 - 2 3/4 |
| 140 - 160 |
7'2" - 7'8" |
20 1/2 - 21 1/2 |
2 3/4 - 3 |
| 160 - 180 |
7'6" - 8'0 |
21 - 21 3/4 |
2 3/4 - 3 |
| 180 - 200 |
7'10" - 8'4" |
21 1/2 - 22 1/4 |
3 - 3 1/4 |
| 200 + |
8'2" - 8'8" |
22 - 22 3/4 |
3 1/4 + |
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Surfing More Than 1 Day Per Week
|
| Surfer Weight (lbs) |
Surfboard Length |
Surfboard Width |
Surfboard Thickness |
| 100 - 140 |
6'8" - 7'2" |
20 1/2 - 21 1/4 |
2 1/4 - 2 1/2 |
| 140 - 160 |
6'10 - 7'4" |
20 3/4 - 21 1/2 |
2 1/2 - 2 3/4 |
| 160 - 180 |
7'2" - 7'8" |
21 - 21 3/4 |
2 1/2 - 3 |
| 180 - 200 |
7'6" - 8'0" |
21 1/2 -22 1/4 |
2 3/4 - 3 1/4 |
| 200 + |
7'10" - 8'4" |
22 - 22 3/4 |
3 - 3 1/4 |
There is a good topic on the forum where you can go and discuss board sizes further and ask any questions that may not have been answered, it's titled Beginner boards, look here if you wonder what to get.
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