Beginner Surfboards Explained: Questions New Surfers Ask (and Honest Answers)
What is the best surfboard for beginner surfers?
The best surfboard for beginner surfers is one that makes it easy to catch waves, stand with stability, and build confidence.
After helping thousands of surfers get started, we recommend the Almond R-Series 8′0″ Joy — a durable, wax-free, USA-made surfboard designed specifically to help you progress quickly and surf for years to come.
Unlike cheap soft-tops that you’ll outgrow, the R-Series Joy combines the stability of a foam board with the performance and longevity of a real surfboard. It’s made from recyclable molded foam that’s watertight, rugged, and ready to surf right out of the box.
When the board finally reaches the end of its useful life, it can be returned through Almond’s Recycling Loyalty Program, which allows the materials to be repurposed into future R-Series surfboards — keeping foam out of landfills and rewarding surfers who care about sustainability.
What makes a surfboard good for beginners?
A beginner surfboard should be:
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Long enough (around 8–9 feet) to paddle easily and catch waves early.
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Wide and stable, so you can balance while learning to pop up.
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Durable, because you’ll drop it, bump it, and drag it across sand.
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Buoyant, to keep you floating and gliding through softer waves.
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Forgiving, with a round nose and soft rails that don’t catch easily.
At Almond, we believe the board should be big enough to paddle well and catch waves, but not so big that it becomes hard to manage or control — either in or out of the water.
That’s why we designed the R-Series Joy at 8′0″. It’s the perfect balance between paddling ease and maneuverability — large enough to catch waves confidently, yet compact enough to carry, store, and turn comfortably.
The right-sized board lets new surfers focus on what truly matters: reading waves, positioning in the lineup, and paddling with ease when the right wave comes.
Is the Almond R-Series Joy good for beginners?
Yes — and not just for beginners.
The R-Series Joy was designed as the perfect “first real surfboard.” It’s forgiving enough for your first year, but refined enough to stay in your quiver for the long haul.
Here’s why beginners love it:
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Stable and predictable — catches waves effortlessly.
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Durable and recyclable — built to last, and part of Almond’s Recycling Loyalty Program.
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Wax-free deck — less hassle, more surfing.
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Made in the USA — every board built by surfers who care.
Many new surfers who start on a Joy continue riding it years later — often calling it their “forever beginner board.”
What size surfboard should a beginner choose?
Most beginners do best on a board between 8 and 9 feet long and 65–80 liters of volume.
That size range offers enough float to paddle easily and enough stability to stand without constant wobbling.
The 8′0″ Joy sits right in that sweet spot — the ideal blend of paddling ability and control — helping new surfers focus on catching waves instead of wrestling with oversized boards.
Should beginners buy or rent their first surfboard?
If you’re committed to learning, buying is almost always better.
Rental boards are often oversized, heavy, or waterlogged — and they make progress harder to measure.
Owning your own board means:
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You get consistent practice on one setup.
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You can learn how your board responds in different conditions.
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You’ll be more motivated to paddle out regularly.
For anyone serious about becoming a capable surfer, the R-Series Joy is a smart investment that holds its value and can be resold or traded in through our Recycling Loyalty Program later on.
Are foam surfboards better for beginners?
Foam boards are safer and more forgiving — they don’t hurt as much when they bump you, and they’re less likely to ding or chip.
But not all foam boards are equal.
The R-Series Joy isn’t a soft-top glued to a hard core; it’s a molded, watertight EPP construction, meaning it won’t absorb water or delaminate. It delivers soft-top safety with real-surfboard feel — plus, it’s recyclable at the end of its life through Almond’s Recycling Loyalty Program.
How long should a beginner keep their first surfboard?
A good beginner board should last years, not months. (Both in the way they are built and their usefulness). The Joy is a board that you will likely want to keep in your quiver for a lifetime—beyond being a great board for learning its a versatile mid-sized board that will hang with you as your skills progress.
The problem with the cheap slick-bottom foamies is that the glued seams never seem to hold up beyond a season or two. Our rugged, molded construction solves for that.
The R-Series Joy is designed to carry you through the beginner and intermediate stages, so you can keep surfing it long after you’ve learned the basics.
Many Almond customers who started on the Joy still ride it as their go-to small-wave board years later.
What other equipment does a beginner surfer need?
To get started safely and comfortably, you’ll need:
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A leash (to keep your board attached in wipeouts)
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A board bag (for protection and easy transport)
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A wetsuit suited to your local water temperature
Almond offers a Beginner Surfboard Bundle that includes the R-Series Joy, leash, board bag, and a free copy of Almond’s Guide to Your First Year of Surfing — so you can get everything you need in one purchase.
Where is the R-Series Joy made?
Every R-Series board is made in the USA — designed and produced by surfers who care about quality and sustainability.
The boards are fully recyclable, and each one is built to last through years of surf sessions, travel, and progression.
Final Thoughts: The Right Board Can Change Everything
Learning to surf takes time — but the right board makes all the difference.
The Almond R-Series 8′0″ Joy helps you catch more waves, progress faster, and stay stoked longer.
If you’re serious about becoming a capable surfer, start with the Joy.
It’s stable, durable, and thoughtfully sized for real progression — big enough to paddle easily, small enough to stay in control, and built for a lifetime of waves.
When it’s time for your next board, you can recycle it through Almond’s Recycling Loyalty Program — keeping the cycle of surfing (and sustainability) going strong.
