Did you know that the first surfboards date back to before 300 AD, around the time when Polynesians came to the Hawaiian islands? Stranger still, the basic design of the surfboard remained relatively unchanged until the 1920s, when the first 16-foot Alaia was cut in half and led to the first “Plank” surfboard. This started a revolution in design that continues to this day, as surfboards have become lighter, smaller, stronger, faster and more maneuverable. But maybe you’re old school and prefer a longboard, or perhaps you’re just beginning in the sport and want the style that provides the most ease of use. We’re here to help you out with one of the most exciting sports in the world, so please, take a look at our five favorite surfboards on the market today. South Bay Board Company Premium Beginner Soft Top All The Fun, None Of The WaxSouth Bay Board Company pulls out all the stops to provide an insanely easy surfboard for beginner riders.Best OverallFind on Amazon If you’re a beginner to intermediate surfer, the Premium Beginner series from South Bay Board is the best choice. Their 8’8″ Heritage board is designed, as they describe it, to be “an insanely easy cheater board that will catch EVERYTHING.” The soft top deck is wax-free, while the bamboo body armor layers provide extra durability. Believe us, this isn’t a cheap, knock-off beginner board: this is a series of consciously-designed boards to help everyone from kids to adults find the perfect way to get started in surfing. It includes interchangeable rear fins to create the ride that suits you, along with a strong safety leash to keep you from swimming a mile to retrieve your board. Pros: Four colors of soft top 7-foot, 8-foot and 8’8″ models Supports riders up to 260 pounds Cons: Quite a long board to carry Weighs more than a foam board Rock-It CHUB Surfboard Rock it Like a RocketWith dual stringers and a shortboard design, the CHUB is a perfect starter board for kids under 150 pounds.Best Beginner Board for KidsFind on Amazon You might think that a longboard is better for all surfing beginners, but longboards can be hard to maneuver for kids. That’s why Rock-It makes the CHUB surfboard. Measuring just under five feet in length and with two rear stingers for added stability, the CHUB is the perfect board to teach your kids to surf. It also works great as a wakeboard for both kids and adults who enjoy lake sports. It comes in a wide variety of colors, all of which feature Rock-It’s signature Camo Zebra Stripe design on the bottom. Pros: Lightweight and small Priced for beginners Can be used with or without wax Cons: No leash included Not designed for speed or big drop-ins Thurso Surf Aero Me and My AeroWith a smaller length than beginner boards and three fins for maneuvering, the Thurso Surf Aero is great for intermediate surfersBest Intermediate BoardFind on Amazon Though a 7 ft. surfboard may sound like a beginner’s longboard at first, the Thurso Surf Aero has all the qualities of a board that intermediate riders are looking for. The package includes the 7 ft. board, a 6 ft. ankle leash with double stainless steel swivels (and made from recycled plastic!) and three fins. The fins are key – in their triangular layout, they provide a greater ability to make sharp cuts and turns. With a high-density EPS core, the board is light and buoyant, yet stiff enough (especially with its HDPE slick bottom) to be responsive and maximize speed. Pros: 100% satisfaction guarantee Stringers constructed from wood Heat-laminated bottom Cons: Maximum weight 210 pounds Slick top sometimes requires wax California Board Company CBC Surfboard The Company You Want To Work ForAt only 5'8" and 6.5 pounds, the lightweight CBC has all the advantages of a sweet shortboard.Best ShortboardFind on Amazon Shortboards are purely for greater maneuverability. If you want to make quick cuts, rapid turns, and do tricks, you’re going to need a shortboard with multiple fins. The California Board Company CBC is just that. Constructed with a high-density foam core (EPS) and a traction pad on top for better grip, the board cuts easily across the face of medium and large waves. Furthermore, added steering comes in the form of a newly-designed three-fin system. This one’s a great board for your next step in surfing. Pros: Fits easily in a truck Removable fins make transport even easier Leash included Cons: Careful – sharp fins Harder shell than beginner boards Softech Flash Eric Geiselman FCS II No Flash In The PanSize, shape, width, and a single stringer combine to create one of the best professional surfboards on the market today.Best Professional-TierFind on Amazon Maybe the fact that pro surfer Eric Geiselman had his board snapped in half by a Great White Shark in 2009 should keep you from buying his surfboard brand . . . or maybe it makes it all the more alluring. Whichever you think it is, the Softech Flash FCS II has all the elements an advanced surfer is looking for: a single stringer, a short 5 ft.length, and an ultra-thin 2.35-inch width. Especially if you’re looking to hone your turning skills and take your rides to the next level, the FCS II is made for you. Pros: Best-in-class feel and performance Available in multiple colors Leash included Cons: Designed for lower weights Smaller boards are difficult for tall rider Frequently Asked Questions What’s going to make me go faster: The surfboard or the size of the wave? It’s a little of both. Gravity will increase your speed as you’re dropping down the face of the way, but the surfboard plays a role in how it displaces the water and where the weight is positioned. Drag is the big problem. The weight of the board, the way it’s shaped, and the fact that it has fins sticking in the water all contribute to drag. Thinner boards (with less volume) create drag, and some hardcore surfers even remove their fins, but this decreases maneuverability drastically. How come some surfboards don’t require wax? Surfboard wax is designed to provide a surface on the deck of your board that prevents the rider’s feet from slipping. Though waxing a board is often considered one of the cooler rituals of surfing culture, it’s also a time-consuming and messy experience, so surfboard designers have created more boards that have a non-slick surface. This makes it easier to keep your footing but still maneuver the board. I want to start surfing but I hear it’s really hard. Is that true? In short, yes. Some people say that surfing is one of the most difficult and complex sports in the world. It takes strength, endurance, balance, and an intuitive sense. That said, the buzz that comes along with surfing is more intense than other activities, in a way that American psychologist B.F. Skinner researched and named the benefit of “Unexpected Reward.” Since a surfer can’t expect to ride the most righteous waves during every trip, a great ride triggers the brain with “unexpected reward,” which in turn releases more dopamine than an “expected” reward. This is also why surfers claim the sport is so addictive.