How much do Surfboards Cost?
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If you are new to surfing, you may find the price tag of a new surfboard daunting. If you’re looking to buy a used board, you may be wondering if you’re getting ripped off. The price of the board is of course going to depend on the quality of the board, but in general most soft top surfboards fall within the $200-$500 range, and most poly or epoxy boards are in the $500-$1000 range.
Price of Soft Tops
Soft tops tend to be the cheapest types of surfboards. This is mainly due to the fact that they are mass produced. Soft tops don’t require a shaper to put in hours of work perfecting the board. You can get the popular Wavestorm soft top for around $250. The Wavestorm is a classic, 8-9 foot, longboard-style soft top.
These days, soft tops are being made in all styles. You can find soft top fish boards and shortboards, but these tend to be a bit more expensive. If you’re looking for a soft top in one of these styles, you can expect to pay around $300-$500.
Price of Polyurethane (Poly) and Epoxy Longboards
Hard top longboards are most commonly made of polyurethane, though you can find epoxy longboards as well. A poly longboard is going to be quite a bit more expensive than a soft top. Most poly longboards are going to be at least $600, and it is fairly common to see new longboards selling for over $1000. Epoxy boards are more expensive to make, so a new epoxy longboard is going to be even pricier.
Poly longboards are generally what new surfers choose as their second board, after developing some fundamental skills on a soft top. If the price of a new longboard is not within your budget, I would recommend finding a used one. If you live in an area where surfing is popular, you will most likely be able to find a decent, used longboard at a much lower price through platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Many surf shops also have a selection of used boards. It may take more time to search for a used longboard, but you’ll be saving yourself hundreds of dollars.
Price of Shortboards and Fish Boards
New poly or epoxy shortboards and fish boards tend to be less expensive than new longboards. A new shortboard will likely fall within the $500-$900 range. Shortboards tend to be cheaper simply because they require less material than a longboard. It may be tempting to buy a shortboard because they are cheaper, but if you don’t have the skillset to ride one, a longer board will be far more valuable to you.
As with longboards, you can shop around for a used shortboard to save yourself some money. Finding the right used shortboard may be more difficult, as shortboards come in a wide array of shapes and styles. With some extra effort, you can find a used shortboard that fits both your needs and budget.
Takeaway
The price of the surfboard is going to depend primarily on the length and material of the board. When considering the price of a surfboard, it’s important to note what kind of surfboard you’re looking for to evaluate what kind of deal you’re getting. A soft top is going to be the cheapest option, and an epoxy longboard is going to be the most expensive. With a little extra effort, you can cut costs by going for a used board.
Learn more about Surfboards:
Frequently asked questions
Beginners will usually start with a soft top board which are also the cheapest types of surfboards, priced around $250.
If you’re new to surfing, you’re going to want a longer (8-9 foot range) soft top, like from South Bay Boards. Soft tops are the most forgiving boards for beginners, and you’ll find that you can progress quickly if you start out with the right board. Luckily, soft tops are also the cheapest type of surfboard, so you’ll be keeping your initial costs low when you consider boards like the Wavestorm 8’ Classic.
The price of a surfboard reflects the amount of time and effort put into making it. Poly and epoxy surfboards are hand-shaped, which means a shaper had to put in a lot of time to create the board. Soft tops are cheaper because they are mass-produced, eliminating the need for a shaper to put hours of labor into making the board.
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