If you're new to surfing, choosing between different types of boards can be a complicated choice. Between shortboards, midlengths and longboards, it's hard to know what's best for you.

It is important to know that the perfect surfboard does not exist. The choice of your board should depend on your desires and your level. The bigger the board, the more stability you will gain, but you will lose in maneuverability. And on the contrary, if you add rocker, you will gain in maneuverability, but will lose in speed. It's all about balance and compromise.

So let's take a look at what's out there in terms of boards, and see their different advantages and disadvantages. Be careful, it is difficult to judge your level when you are a novice.

In addition to our advice, it is better to ask a surf coach or one of your experienced friends for advice. Whether you're a beginner, an amateur or an experienced surfer, you're bound to find the right leash for you.

SHORTBOARDS, FOR MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE

Shortboards are designed for maximum performance in extreme conditions. Harder to handle, it's best to get a shortboard once you've reached a good level of surfing.

If you ever use a low-volume board as a beginner, your progress will be greatly slowed. Generally speaking, the length of these boards varies between 5 and 7 feet. They are equipped with a rocker nose to avoid pearling.

To allow for fast turns, they have 2 to 4 fins. Surfing a shortboard means limiting the number of waves taken per session. The volume of the board being small, the paddle requires a greater effort to start the waves. It is thus necessary to have a perfect management of the timing and of its take off.

Many brands present shortboards, however, three of them stand out for their price, their quality or their finish.

At the entry level, we find boards from the Catch Surf brand, such as the Odysea series, light and resistant boards, perfect for beginners.

In the mid-range, Dhd Surfboards are the reference. Allowing you to surf waves from 50cm to 2m, they are suitable for intermediate surfers. If you want the best quality shortboard, we can only recommend Bing surfboards which offer the best versatility and perfect finish.

MIDDLELENGTH BOARDS, FOR AN OPTIMAL PROGRESSION

Midlength boards are characterized by a size of 7 to 8 feet, logically categorizing them between shortboards and longboards.

Surfing a midlength often feels easy thanks to their excellent compromise between floatation and maneuverability. Perfect for all types of surfers, it stands out on long, even walls that allow for carving.

It also allows you to get on the wave a little earlier, but its tight rocker makes it difficult to catch hollow waves. With this kind of board, you will hardly have to pump. Basicly single thin, it is also popularized in 2+1 which allows it to reach longboarders oriented single thin looking for more radicality as well as thrusters.

We find in this category boards such as The Log series from Catch surf, allowing a simple and efficient surfing. Composed of triple maple wood battens for a robustness to all tests. The deck of the series is also very light presenting a great durability.

BING Surfboards' most famous models are the Collector models. With the possibility of surfing as a single, 2+1 or quad, they allow for a wide variety of surfing. This collection has a wider than average nose offering improved paddling agility. And once again, you are never disappointed with BING.

LONGBOARDS, FOR BEGINNERS BUT NOT ONLY

The longboard is generally associated with beginners. These large boards with generous volumes make learning easier. They allow you to have more balance on the take-off, as well as to paddle faster and with more ease. However, longboards are not only for beginners. There are two types of longboards.

The traditional longboards, called logs, seek to surf the wave by following its tempo, and take speed with the inertia of the wave. The absence of rocker makes paddling easier, and control at the nose is favored by 50/50 rails. These are the most optimized boards for making beautiful noserides.

The second type of longboard is called performance. The style of the board is narrower, lighter and closer to the shortboard on the rocker and rails. In terms of handling, the tail is narrower and therefore improves its radicality. In 2+1 or tri fine, the drifts can vary according to the shapes. It is perfect for taking hollow waves or taking dry turns.

On the longboards, we can only advise you the boards of the brand Bing of which we already spoke to you. The Beacon model in 9'0 in tinted resin is an ideal single to start in the world of surfing.

SURFING ACCESSORIES, THE ESSENTIALS TO GET STARTED

Once you have chosen the board that suits you, you still have to buy at least three essential surfing accessories before you start:

The leash, mandatory when you surf, it will allow you not to lose your board in case of fall. The leash should not be taken lightly, because if it protects other surfers or bathers nearby, it can put you in bad conditions. That's why it's important to choose the right leash. The MODOM Performance Leash Standard is a good compromise between quality and price.

The grip allows a better adherence on the board. More efficient than wax, some surfers swear by the grip. They come in one or several pieces, allowing to adapt to any type of surfing. The Twin Fin grip from Modom is a classic. Its technology allows a good grip on the foot as well as a long-lasting adhesion.

The fins can radically change the way your surfboard works depending on their specificities. The boards are mounted as single, twin, thruster or even quattro. Machado Blackstix fins from Futures Fins, guarantee control as well as release in turns. Here, the Blackstix technology is combined with bamboo and carbon to combine strength and lightness.