About the learner board..... If you're new to the sport but keen to start surfing then you'll need a 'high volume' board. These boards are long, wide and thick. Most people will start by hiring a 'soft top' (see soft tops) that are particularly user friendly as they have a foam deck and dont hurt! These boards are ideal for catching waves and offer the most stability when trying to stand up. There are many learner boards on the market such as NSP's and Pop Outs that are injection molded plastic boards. These are usually robust and hard wearing but tend to be a lot heavier than a custom board (made from foam and fibre glass). This can cause problems with smaller people trying to surf as they'll physically struggle with these weightier boards.. Some times a 'foam and fibreglass' board is the solution. However you'll notice that the 'plastic' boards tend to be cheaper.

What Size should I start on?....Whatever type of board you go for, be it a new custom board or a molded board, your board will need to be of the same sort of size. Learner boards are usually between 7'0" and 8'2" long and everyone should find a start up board somewhere in between. The easiest way to look at it, is to imagine that a 7'6" is ideal for joe average; Someone thats fairly fit, between 20 and 30, surfing a few times a month and most of the year. If you're larger than 'Joe' then you need to go larger. If you're smaller then.....well you get the picture.

Tips....when looking for a board and if you're unsure, then perhaps seek professional advice first. A reputable Surf Shop that sells and hires surfboards is your best bet. They'll certainly guide you in the right direction. Primarily 'price' will dictate what you buy. A new custom board will be about £300-£380. A good condition, second hand custom board will be about £200. New molded boards are about £180 - £280 and used are usually about £80- £200.