The Best Softboards for Beginners This Summer (2023)

Softboards have for many years been a popular choice of craft for beginners, and though they’re becoming increasingly common under the feet of more advanced surfers, they remain a hit with those a little less comfortable in the water. They’re buoyant, easy to paddle with, and easy to catch waves with, while there’s also the added bonus that they won’t do too much damage if they hit you or someone around you on the scone. So with summer approaching, let’s take a look at some of the best softboards on offer for beginners.

MF Super Soft

Mick Fanning’s range of softboards, aptly named MF, have exploded in popularity in recent years, and the Super Soft is one of the best options for beginner surfers looking for a high-quality board that won’t break the bank. The name of this one gives a pretty good insight into this board; it’s extremely lightweight, easy to lug around and, while you’d probably still prefer to keep it away from your head, it’s not going to do the same damage that a regular longboard would if you get in the way of it. Despite its lightweight nature, the Super Soft is very durable, and if you take care of it you should get plenty of bang for your buck. The volume on this board is distributed relatively evenly, making it very stable both for paddling and perfecting your pop-up. The particularly wide tail makes getting into even small waves easy on this board, meaning even as you progress the Super Soft will remain a fun board to keep in your quiver for those smaller summer days.

Catch Surf Log x Taj Burrow Pro

The Log x Taj Burrow Pro by Catch Surf is the ideal softboard for those looking to take the next step in their surfing, or intermediates trying to get the most out of their summer sessions. With a stiff dual composite core and triple wood stingers, combined with a high performance fin system, this board has a whole heap of float, making catching waves a breeze even in the small, mushy conditions which are synonymous with summer in many spots around the globe. With so much volume under your feet, this board is not exactly going to manoeuvre around the face like you might be able to on a shortboard, but for those with a little less experience in the water this is a great option. It makes it easy to paddle into waves and easy to stand up (easier I should say – learning to surf is never particularly easy), which as a beginner, is all you can really ask for.

G Board Classic Softboard

G Boards have long been a go-to for beginner surfers, and their classic softboard has just got an upgrade, meaning this is the case now more than ever. Its wide shape combined with its thickness mean that paddling is incredibly easy on this board, and it’s far easier to catch a lot of waves and hone your skills as a result. On top of that, it’s very stable, and despite being relatively cheap is incredibly durable – in a battle between a group of rocks and this board, the rocks will probably come off second best, though it’s probably best not to test that theory. These boards are marketed as ideal for anyone from children through to beginners up to 90 kilograms, and with fins coming pre-fitted and no wax needed, they come ready to head straight to the beach.  

Mullet Beanstalk Softboard

The Beanstalk is a new addition to the Mullet range of softboards, attempting to fill what the people at Mullet viewed as a gap in the range between beginners and intermediates. This is a board with plenty of volume – the 8’0” version of it comes in at 70 litres – and a lot of that volume is through the nose, meaning that you’ll be able to paddle most of the others in the lineup. This invariably means it’s a lot easier to catch waves, too, so once you’ve got your technique down pat you’ll have plenty of chance to practice your pop-up on the Beanstalk. It’s super stable, too, giving you a good base to stay standing for longer. As you do improve, or if you’re already edging towards the intermediate range, it’ll still give you plenty of good sessions too, with the refined rails meaning despite its volume, there’s still a good amount of scope to work on your turns. The Mullet also comes in relatively cheap, and with all these benefits it’s a worthy addition to your quiver.

MF Beastie

Rounding out the list is another product from our old friend Mick Fanning. The Beastie doesn’t have as much volume as some of the other boards on this list, but with 50 litres for the 7-footer it’s still got more than enough for smaller conditions. And this volume is distributed relatively evenly across the board – it’s got a thick nose, a thick tail and a pretty thick mid-section for good measure. As with the other boards in this list, this makes paddling easy, makes catching waves easy, and makes staying on your feet easy. This is a great board for those just starting out or looking to take the next step in their surfing, though if you’re a more established surfer it can equally be a pretty good alternative to your longboard.

With summer now in full swing, the increased prevalence of softboards in the water is already plain to see. And while they may not be purely reserved for those learning to surf the way they once were, many of these boards are still made with the beginner in mind. From the MF Super Soft through to the G Board Classic, the above list includes some of the best beginners softboards for you to add to your quiver this summer.

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