A novice surfer needs to purchase a soft surfboard that is inexpensive and durable. The surfboard should have a wooden stringer down the center of the board, rails on the edges, and a sturdy deck for stability during the ride. Always keep in mind one golden rule, 'the bigger, the better'. This means, the longer and wider your surfboard, the better balance it will provide. The thicker your board, the more flotation will you get while paddling and catching the waves. But do not go for an extra huge size, or you will never be able to get past the white water. Once you have had enough practice and knowledge with the soft board, you should begin surfing on a fiberglass board. This board should be a longboard that is wide, thick, and light, so that it will help you paddle and catch a wave easily. Longboards are about 8½ feet long and over 20 inches wide. They have a rounded nose and tail. They are used to cruise on small waves, and standing up and riding in smooth, calm waters. After getting comfortable riding the waves, you need to start maneuvering and turning your surfboard around. You need the fun board that helps in riding, turning, maneuvering, and teasing the waves. These fun boards are good for a beginner who is comfortable on small waves to carry out some tricks. Fun boards are about 7 to 8 feet long and 20 to 23 inches wide. They have a rounded nose and tail. An advanced surfer should go in for short boards that helps them do tricks. These are thin, narrow, and short. So, to get the hang of a short board, you need to buy a surfboard that is thicker. This will help you gain buoyancy. When you are comfortable, you can move on to thinner boards. When you are hot on the water, and ready to take on 15-foot barrel waves, you need a specialized board. These are about 7 feet or longer, with a narrow, slender body and round pin tail.

For Beginners	For Intermediates
Your Weight	Your Board	Your Weight	Your Board
63 - 81 kg	9' 0" - 9' 6"	63 - 81 kg	9' 0" - 9' 4"
81 - 100 kg	9' 2" - 9' 8"	81 - 100 kg	9' 2" - 9' 6"
+ 100 kg	9' 6" - 9' 8"	+ 100 kg	9' 2" - 9' 8"

For Beginners	For Intermediates
Your Weight	Your Board	Your Weight	Your Board
45 - 63 kg	7' 0" - 7' 4"	45 - 63 kg	6' 0" - 6' 4"
63 - 72 kg	7' 2" - 7' 8"	63 - 72 kg	6' 2" - 6' 6"
72 - 81 kg	7' 6" - 8' 0"	72 - 81 kg	6' 4" - 6' 8"
81 - 90 kg	7' 10" - 8' 4"	81 - 90 kg	6' 8" - 7' 2"
+ 90 kg	8' 2" - 8' 6"	+ 90 kg	+ 7' 2"

For Beginners	For Intermediates
Your Weight	Your Board	Your Weight	Your Board
45 - 63 kg	6' 2" - 6' 4"	45 - 63 kg	6' 0" - 6' 4"
63 - 72 kg	6' 4" - 6' 8"	63 - 72 kg	6' 2" - 6' 6"
72 - 81 kg	6' 6" - 6' 10"	72 - 81 kg	6' 4" - 6' 8"
81 - 90 kg	6' 10" - 7' 4"	81 - 90 kg	6' 8" - 7' 2"
+ 90 kg	+ 7' 4"	+ 90 kg	7' 2" +

You need to remember some key points while buying a surfboard: a novice needs a larger board than an advanced surfer; those who surf once in a while need a bigger board than those who surf regularly; and a board that is too small will not allow the surfer to improve his skills.