What Size Surfboard Should a Kid Have?
It is extremely exciting when your child is ready to try new sports and activities. Surfing is a great pursuit to explore; it connects your child with fresh air and nature. Surfing is also a sport that can span a lifetime. When your child lets you know that they are interested in surfing, it is important that they have proper equipment for a successful experience.
Determination of surfboard sizes for kids should include a child’s age, surfing experience, and types of surfboard. There are a multitude of surfboards from which you can select that will ensure a rewarding surfing adventure.
- Six-years-old and younger – Bodyboards or Boogie Boards
- Seven-years-old to preteens – Foamies or soft top boards (5’5″ and up tp 6’2″)
New, used, and rental options are available in addition to different sizes and shapes. Continue reading for information on selecting a surfboard for your child.
Age Considerations and Surfboards for Kids
Your child’s age and size are relevant in the decision of which size and type of surfboard they should use.
- Children Six-Years-Old and Younger
Children about six and under are just exploring the beach and waves. They are building up their comfort level with waves at the water’s edge. Pulling a boogie board behind them as the play in the water is a great first step toward surfing. You want your child to have confidence in and around the water.
This is a great age to start swim lessons. All surfers, regardless of the size of their surfboards, should be proficient swimmers. Spending these years at the beach will help your child learn about waves and respect their strength.
- Children Seven-Years-Old to Preteens
When your child begins school, their independence emerges. For many young kids, this is also the time that they are ready to begin surfing. Children are getting taller and stronger, which enables them to start carrying their own boards. They also have more upper body strength and can paddle themselves on the water.
Since this age group is just learning to surf, building their confidence along with their surfing is important. A smart choice of surfboards for this age range are soft top surfboards. These are constructed with a foam top that makes them softer. When you are learning to surf, the extra cushion these provide lessens your chance for injury. Also, with a softer landing when you fall, your child is more apt to try again.
- Thirteen-years-old through Teenager
Once your child is in this age category, there are a number of several types of surfboards to consider. The type of surfboard will depend upon your child’s experience surfing. Additionally, the weight and height of your child are factors in the decision. Taller teens will need longer boards for balance and stability.
Soft top surfboards are an excellent choice for this age, especially if your child is just learning how to surf. The foam top provide protection from cuts and scrapes when falling. Learning to stand on a board takes practice and agility. Having that extra padding to land on will help encourage your child to keep trying to catch the waves.
- Six-years-old and younger – Bodyboards or Boogie Boards
- Seven-years-old to preteens – Foamies or soft top boards (5’5″ and up tp 6’2″)
- Thirteen-years-old through teenager years – Foam boards, Minimals and Fun Boards (6’8″ to 8′)
Do you know what a grom surfboard is? Learn more here.
Types of Surfboards for Kids
- Bodyboards
Bodyboards, which are also called boogie boards, are lightweight and easy to carry. A perfect choice for kids just getting used to the beach, who might be future surfers. Bodyboards can be used at the shoreline after the waves have already broken. Your child will become accustomed to the movement of the wave.
While your child is not standing on these boards, they lay on them and begin to get the sensation of surfing. Using a boogie board, your child will learn about the movement of waves. As a plus, all ages can have fun floating around the water using a boogie board. They are relatively inexpensive, so a perfect addition to the beach toys.
- Riding Tandem
While this is not a surfboard size of its own, it is often the progression of children learning to surf. If a child’s parents or other adults in their world surf, this is a natural step after the boogie board. An experienced surfer with a longboard surfboard will be able to help a child gain more comfort on the water.
Longboard surfboards are usually 9 feet to 10 feet in length. This size allows room for the adult to paddle the board and have a child on the board as well. A child learning to surf can then focus on standing up on the surfboard. Once they are confident standing on the board, your child can practice the next step. While surfing in tandem, the next step after standing will be to catch and ride the waves.
- Soft Top Boards
Foam boards, soft top boards, or foamies are all synonymous terms. These boards were constructed with beginning surfers and children in mind. Surfers just learning their way on the waves and children should consider choosing foamies as their first surfboard.
The softer top has a few benefits. With the extra topping, these boards are more buoyant, which is great for beginners. Additionally, the soft tops make them more durable. Cuts, scrapes, and bruises are reduced with the cushioning. The extra padding makes them easier to stand on when learning to balance on the surfboard.
- Funboards
A funboard can be a next step from a soft top board. Funboard are wide, like a foamie, but their top is constructed more like a longboard. The width provides the extra buoyancy that new surfers and children need.
- Fish Boards
Fish surfboards are so-named because of their tail configuration. Most fish boards have two fins. These are a shorter board, usually no more than six feet long. They are designed to have the same buoyancy as longboard. The reduced length makes them easier to handle for many.
- Longboards
Longboard surfboards are over 8 feet long. With the length, they are easier to paddle. This allows the surfer to catch more waves. Maneuverability in small waves is another asset of the long board. While this is a plus for beginning surfers, for children the length of the board can make them a challenge to control.
Surfboard Volume and Surfing Experience
The key elements of surfing are being able to paddle, stand up on the surfboard, and catch waves. Successfully learning to complete all those steps takes practice, confidence, and the ability to remain on top of the water. Floatation is an essential element of the surfing experience. Selecting a surfboard that provides your child buoyancy will set them on a path to continue wanting to learn and surf.
Looking at surfboards, it would seem that you would just measure the length of the board. However, surfboards are measured by their length, width, and height. These three measurements are multiplied by each other to obtain the surfboard’s volume. Volume of a surfboard is a key element in a surfboard selection for children and beginners.
Your child’s ability to float on a board is essential to be able to catch a wave. To ride a wave, your child needs to be able to stand on the board and stay afloat. If the board cannot support the rider’s weight, the surfboard and rider will sink. More experienced surfers need less volume than a beginner.
Higher volume surfboards have more buoyancy. With greater buoyancy, surfboards are more stable. For children and beginners this makes it easy to stand on the board. Being able to stand on the board more readily, allows kids to catch waves with less effort. A guideline used by many surfers is that new surfers should have a board that equals their body weight in volume.
Many surfboards’ volume is available on the manufacturer’s website and/or on the board itself. It is typically measured in liters. Using the information on the volume of a board can greatly assist you in selecting the best surfboard for your child. You want to ensure that they will be safe, build their confidence, and have fun.
Related Questions
At what age should a child begin to surf?
After children are steady on their feet, around the age of 2, they can begin exploring gentle waves. Any age that children begin to learn to surf, adult supervision is a safety must. Consider swim lessons as a step before or parallel with learning to surf.
Should I buy a surfboard at a surf shop?
You do not need to buy a surfboard at a surf shop; however, most surf shops are staffed with surfers. Someone with surfing experience and the passion for surfing can thoughtfully answer questions that you probably have.
Is it safe to rent surfboards?
Renting surfboards is safe to do. This can offer a great option for families on vacation or renting a house for the summer. You can use this rental period to see if your child is truly interested in surfing. This can minimize your cost investment in surfing.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.