What Is a Surfboard Made Of?

Surfboards are fairly light and strong boards used in surfing. They are typically constructed from polyurethane (PU) or polystyrene (EPS) foam core that is wrapped by layers of fibreglass. However, brands are constantly experimenting with different materials such as composites to create more advanced boards.

Surfboards can be divided into a few different types according to their size and shape with the most common designs being shortboards, longboards and funboards. Shortboards are the best for stunts, acrobatics, and give you the most manuevrability. For this reason they are generally preferred by intermediate and advanced riders. Longboards’ bigger surface area means that they are more stable, catch the most waves, and can be used by all abilities. Funboards meanwhile are midsized and aim to combine the best of these two designs.

As for the material, surfboards that are constructed by a foam core covered by a hardened fibreglass or epoxy top layer are called foam surfboards or soft top boards. These types of boards have softer construction as they are made of a dense EPS-foam covered with a soft EVA or EPE sheet. More typical boards with a hard surface are, on the contrary, referred to as hard top boards.

What Surfboard Should I Buy?

If you are looking for your first beginner surfboard, you might want to consider a soft top surfboard. They are not as fragile as typical hard top surfboards and can be used in smaller, less powerful waves. Furthermore, another thing you should consider is the size of the board. Wide and long surfboards provide more stability and make it easier for beginners to catch waves and to progress faster in general.

If you are more of an experienced surfer, having a shorter board could be the right choice. They are built to conquer big and more challenging waves. Shortboards are more dynamically manoeuvrable and offer a whole different riding experience. On the downside, they require more skills, experience and paddling power to get the most out of it.

Are you an advanced surfer looking for something new? Then you might want to try hydrofoil surfboards that provide a completely new kind of experience and surfing possibilities. You can read more about hydrofoiling on our Hydrofoiling Category Page.