I loved surfing when I took lessons, but I nearly gave up after I bought the wrong surfboard and went out on my own. In my first year of surfing I bought a shortboard, and it turned out to be a huge mistake. I had taken two surfing lessons in Lahaina, Hawaii, both times on a 10′ longboard. By the end of day two, I felt ready to rent a surfboard on my own and paddle out. Again, I rented a longboard.

I became obsessed with surfing, read all of the magazines, watched all of the surfing videos. The surfers in the video were all professionals, and rode shortboards.

I started shopping to buy a surfboard and had it in my mind that I needed to ride a shortboard in order to improve. My ego was also involved – I didn’t want to look like a newbie riding a longboard. Instead I ended up being a kook on a shortboard – now I know that’s worse.

I didn’t think about the types of waves that I’d be surfing, consider the fact that I was a beginner, or any other factors that someone at the surf shop or a surfing buddy would have asked me to help me decide what surfboard to buy.

Without any guidance, I bought a 6’2″ shortboard. I wasn’t catching as many waves as I wanted to, and I was quickly exhausted from paddling. I should have bought a longboard or at least a 8’0″.

It took 2 years before I opened my mind to surfboards other than shortboards and it changed everything! My average wave count went up tremendously as my arms weren’t burned out from paddling and it was easier to get into waves.

Now that I know how important paddling is to surfing, here’s what I wish I had known about shopping for a surfboard.

Surfboards That Paddle Well: Length, Width, and Fin Set-up

Shortboarders Can Move up to Mid-length: 6’7″- 7’11”

If you currently surf a shortboard and like it for the quick maneuverability, but find it difficult to paddle and want to increase your wave count, consider moving up to a mid-length board. Mid-length surfboards are between 6’7” and 8’0″, and provide more volume than shortboards, making them float better and easier to paddle.

Mid-length surfboards come in a range of designs, from classic to high-performance. You can find surfboards in this height range designed with different tail options: pintails for speed, a fish shape for a loose, playful feel, or the most common square/squash tail design that gives you a bit of everything. Sometimes you hear these surfboards called “fun shapes”.

Longboards float better, making it easier to paddle: 8′- 12′

Surfboards that are 9’+ are considered longboards. The added length increases the volume of the surfboard, which helps the board float above the water both when paddling and when riding a wave. Having the surfboard float on the surface rather than partially sunk in the water like shortboards, makes it easier to paddle. The added volume also makes paddling more stable, saving your energy to paddle into and catch more waves.

Another advantage of riding a longboard is being able to sit further outside of the break and paddle into waves earlier. If you want to have the right of way more often in the line-up, a longboard can help you get there, since you can sit further out than shortboarders.

A thicker surfboard provides more volume: 2.5″ – 3.5″

When looking for a surfboard that paddles well, the thickness of the surfboard matters, too. Whether it’s a mid-length or a longboard, look for a surfboard that is 2.5″ – 3.5″ thick.

Thickness adds more volume to the surfboard, helping it float and paddle better. Find the surfboard thickness and other dimensions written along the stringer of the surfboard, at the bottom of the board.

Surfboard dimensions appear as: length x width x thickness

A 2+1 fin set-up provides more stability

Single-fin longboards are classic, but can feel less stable when paddling. Surfboards with a 2+1 fin set-up offer more stability and are easier to paddle. When shopping for a surfboard, look to see if there are three fin channels, or just the single. Unless the fins are glassed in, they can be swapped out, so you can ride a single fin one day and a 2+1 the next.

A 2+1 fin set-up will have the long center fin and two small side bite fins. A thruster fin set-up will have three fins of equal size. There’s also a quad fin design. These set-ups will give you more stability and control when you’re paddling and standing up on a wave.

Things to remember:

When paddling is easier you catch more waves and have more fun surfing. Looking for key features in a surfboard can help you choose a board that paddles well.

Features of surfboards that paddle well:

• Mid-length – 6’7″-7’11”
• Longboard: 8′-12′
• Thickness: 2.5″-3.5″
• 2+1 fin set-up