Choosing the right surfboard for your level
Without falling for the big board trap
Choosing the Right Surfboard for Your Level (Without Falling for the Big Board Trap)
One of the most common issues we see in surfers — especially adults trying to progress — is using the wrong board for their current needs.
Often, people are told to just “get more volume” or “stick to big boards for years.” While that advice can be helpful in the very beginning, it often becomes a trap — one that holds surfers back from real progression.
Here’s what we’ve learned after coaching 100+ surfers of all levels in Ericeira:
1. Big Boards Help… Until They Don’t
A big, stable board can be great for catching your first waves in the whitewater. But after that stage, it often starts to hide the technical mistakes you need to face:
You don’t feel where your weight is shifting
You can catch waves even with bad positioning
You rely on volume instead of timing and paddling
The result? You stop improving — and you don’t even realise it.
2. More Volume ≠ More Progress
Just because a board makes surfing easier doesn’t mean it makes you better.
Progress comes from learning how to manage your body, read the ocean, and move with precision.
Boards that are too forgiving can actually block that learning process.
3. How to Know It’s Time to Change Boards
You might be ready to downsize if:
You’re catching waves easily but struggling to turn
You feel like you’re stuck and nothing’s really improving
Your coach is doing more work than you during sessions
You’re not challenged — and that’s why you feel comfortable
4. So What’s the Right Board, Then?
There’s no perfect formula — but we always look at three things:
Your current control in the water (not just your “level”)
Your physical condition and paddle power
How often you surf or train
A good middle step is often a mid-length or funboard: something shorter and more responsive than a soft-top, but still stable enough to help you build confidence.
5. Fitness Matters More Than Board Size
One of the biggest myths in surf coaching is that a bigger board can replace proper technique or fitness. It can’t.
If your paddling is weak or your timing is off, no board will fix that — only structured training will.
Final Note
We’re not against big boards. We’re against staying on big boards for too long.
At Sardinha Surf Coaching, we help surfers choose boards that challenge them just enough — to push progression, not comfort.
If you’re unsure whether your board is helping or holding you back, we’re happy to take a look — online or in person.
