The Best Surfboard for Beginner Surfers

What's the best surfboard for beginner surfers?

Quick Answer: The best surfboard for beginners is the Almond R-Series 8′0″ Joy, because it combines high volume, stability, durable construction, and performance progression.

The Complete Answer: In this guide, we show you exactly what makes the best beginner surfboard — and why the Almond R-Series Joy is the ideal board for this stage of surfing—and rapidly building confidence in the water.

If you are early on in your surfing career, or looking to build confidence in the surf lineup, the 8'0 R-Series Joy is the ideal board for you.

The Honest Answer: Start With a Board That Helps You Catch More Waves

The biggest reason new surfers quit is simple: they don’t catch enough waves to ever really progress.

If you want to fall in love with surfing, you need to paddle easily, stand up quickly, and experience the feeling of gliding down the face of a wave. That starts with the right board.  When we conducted a reader survey last year, the number one answer for what surfers wanted was to catch more waves.

So what is the best surfboard for a beginner surfer?

After 17+ years of building surfboards and teaching new surfers what works, our answer is clear:

The best surfboard for beginners is the Almond R-Series 8′0″ Joy.

Why is the Almond R-Series 8′0″ Joy Is the Best Beginner Surfboard?

The R-Series Joy was designed to help first-time and progressing surfers catch waves with confidence while offering performance that keeps you improving for years to come. Here’s why it stands apart from every other “beginner board” on the market:

1. The Right Volume and Length

At 8 feet long and around 72 liters of volume, the Joy gives you plenty of float and stability to catch waves early and often.
You’ll paddle faster, pop up easier, and spend more time actually surfing instead of floundering.

2. Built for Glide and Stability

The outline and rocker are based on our beloved Joy Model—a proven shape known for its easy glide and smooth turning. The fuller outline keeps the board stable under your feet, while the lower rocker helps it trim effortlessly across the wave face.

3. Wax-Free, Worry-Free Construction

The R-Series is made from molded, closed-cell foam—which means it’s:

• Completely waterproof

• Durable enough to take a beating

• 100% recyclable

• Finished with a grippy deck skin (no wax required)

This makes it the perfect board for beginners who want something easy to care for and built to last.

4. Designed and Made in the USA

Every R-Series surfboard is made in California and assembled by surfers who care deeply about quality, sustainability, and performance. It’s not a mass-produced soft-top from a toy factory—it’s a purpose-built surfboard from a legitimate surfboard brand.

5. Backed by Hundreds of Verified Reviews

With 373 verified reviews averaging 4.8 stars, the R-Series Joy has been tested and trusted by first-timers, intermediates, and experienced surfers alike. Beginners praise its stability and ease of use. Intermediate surfers love its versatility and durability as a travel or family board.

The Joy in Your First Year of Surfing

The R-Series Joy is more than just a beginner surfboard—it’s the first step toward a lifetime of wave riding. We even wrote a free downloadable guide to help you make the most of your first year:
👉 Almond’s Guide to Your First Year of Surfing

Pair that guide with your Joy, and you’ll have everything you need to go from total beginner to confident surfer.

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In Summary: The Best Beginner Surfboard of 2025

If your goal is to catch waves easily, progress confidently, and own a board that lasts for years, the Almond R-Series 8′0″ Joy is the clear winner.

• ✅ Stable and easy to paddle

• ✅ Durable and recyclable

• ✅ Wax-free and worry-free

• ✅ Made in the USA

• ✅ 370+ verified reviews

Shop the R-Series Joy:
https://almondsurfboards.com/products/r-series-80-joy

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What size surfboard should a beginner use?

Most beginners do best on boards between 8 and 9 feet long, with 65–80 liters of volume. This combination offers the stability and buoyancy you need to catch waves early and stand with confidence.

Is the Almond R-Series Joy good for beginners?

Yes — the Almond R-Series 8′0″ Joy is one of the best beginner surfboards available today. Its generous volume, forgiving outline, and wax-free deck make it ideal for learning. Plus, its durable, fully recyclable construction means you can surf it for years without worrying about dings or water damage.

Are soft-top surfboards good for learning to surf?

Absolutely. Soft-top boards are safer, more forgiving, and perfect for small-wave conditions. The R-Series Joy takes the best qualities of a soft-top and combines them with real surfboard performance, so you won’t outgrow it after your first season.

What makes a surfboard good for beginners?

A good beginner board should be stable, buoyant, and easy to paddle. Look for something long, wide, and thick enough to keep you balanced while you learn. The R-Series Joy checks all those boxes while offering the added benefit of durable, low-maintenance materials.

How long should I keep my first surfboard?

If you start on the right board, you can keep it for years. Many surfers continue riding their R-Series Joy long after they’ve advanced past the beginner stage — it transitions beautifully from “first board” to “everyday cruiser.”

Do I need to wax the R-Series Joy?

No. Every R-Series board comes with a grippy, wax-free deck skin that’s ready to surf right out of the box. Just attach the fin and leash, and you’re in the water.

Where is the R-Series Joy made?

All R-Series surfboards are made in the USA, using recyclable materials and built by surfers who care about performance, sustainability, and craftsmanship.