Probably at this stage of your surfing life, is when you are considering buying your first surfboard, and it is a very important decision since it depends on whether you continue to improve or whether you slow down your learning due to a bad choice.

There really is no perfect board when changing from softboard to hardboard since the change will be notable in different aspects, but we will see what you should take into account so that it adjusts as closely as possible to your needs in terms of your level.

Longboard

It is the most traditional model and ranges from 8 to 12 feet long. This would be a good transition since having enough volume offers great buoyancy and when paddling it will be less complicated. It is also the most similar to the school softboards that you probably started with and is perfect for small waves where you can progress more quickly and safely.

Malibu

It is a large board, very stable and fun, making it another good option to change from softboards. It offers a lot of stability and great paddling so it won’t be too difficult for you to catch the wave and you can adapt to the feeling of a hard board.

Midlenght

It is a smaller version of the classic longboards and ranges from 6 to 8 feet. It is ideal for advanced beginners and its width and good stability will make your surfing very fun. With a Midlength you will be able to catch the wave easily and you will begin to maneuver, acquiring greater fluidity in your turns.

It is a type of board that every surfer should have in their quiver regardless of whether you have an advanced level or not, since in small conditions it can make the difference between a good swim or not.

Hybrid

This type of board is an excellent option as the next step in your learning stage after a Malibu or a Midlength since it has the characteristics and benefits of a shortboard but adding width. Its design makes it fast, stable and offers us that maneuverability that we are looking for right now.

Shortboard

They are the most common boards and are aimed at more advanced surfers, so they are not a good option when changing from softboards. They are much shorter and narrower, providing great maneuverability, allowing us to hit the most critical sections of the wave in all types of conditions, make turns, carves, floaters, airs, etc. And it requires very good physical condition since its buoyancy is much less, which makes paddling much more difficult than with a Malibu, midlength or similar.

Finally, weight and height are very important when choosing a board. level of surfing and types of waves that we usually surf, since the higher the height and the greater the weight, a board with more volume will be better for us, making it easier for us to paddle and stand up.

Being aware of our surfing level is key, since if we choose a short board right after a big softboard, we will probably not do well at all when it comes to being in the water and we will end up getting frustrated.

So I hope this helps you in your next surfboard choice.