Best first board
Wavestorm 8′ Classic Soft-Top
- 8′0″
- Foam
- Never surfed
The board most US surfers learn on. Floats you into waves, forgives bad pop-ups, and leaves budget for lessons.
Check price at AmazonThe Swell Report — Surf Guidesurfspotguide.com
Buyer’s guide · 2026
The best surfboard under $500 is probably foam.
New fiberglass boards cost $600–$900, and most people don’t need one. Here’s where each budget goes, by skill level, and how to buy used without getting burned.
Published May 15, 2026SurfSpotGuide Editorial
The short answer
Where are you at?
Our call · Under $200
Buy an 8′ foam board.
A Wavestorm or South Bay Board Co 8′ soft-top floats you into waves and forgives every bad pop-up. If Costco is out, a used foamie on Marketplace works just as well.
Skip: fiberglass, until you can ride unbroken waves.
Boards we’d buy
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Best foam upgrade
South Bay Board Co Casa 8′
- 8′0″
- Foam + stringers
- 10+ lessons
Stiffer and slicker than entry foam, so it paddles faster and lasts longer. Buy this if you already know you’re hooked.
Check price at AmazonThe keeper
Catch Surf Blank Series 8′0″ Log
- 8′0″
- Foam log
- 10+ lessons
A sturdier soft-top log that still comes in under $500 — the board to keep once you outgrow a budget foamie.
$380–$400
Check price at evoFirst short board
Catch Surf Odysea x Lost RNF 6′5″
- 6′5″
- Foam fish
- Riding green waves
A soft-top fish for surfers who can already stand and want something shorter that turns.
$400–$430
Check price at evo// Free Gear Checklist
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Every option, by budget
Three tiers, three choices each. The tier that matches your level is outlined.
Tier 01
Under $200
For first-time buyers who aren’t sure the sport will stick.
| Board | Build | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wavestorm 8′ (Costco) | Foam | The most popular beginner board in the US. Costco stock is seasonal. |
| South Bay Board Co 8′ | Foam | Slightly better build. Online year-round when Costco is out. |
| Used foam board$50–$120 on classifieds | Foam, used | Often the best deal in surfing. Try Marketplace, Craigslist and shop noticeboards. |
Verdict: Start here. A foam board covers your first 20–50 sessions, and the money you save is better spent on lessons.
Tier 02
$200–$350
For hooked beginners and early intermediates.
| Board | Build | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Catch Surf Odysea 8′ | Foam | Tougher deck, better rails, holds its resale value. |
| NSP Elements Cruiser | Foam / EPS | More float and response than a pure soft-top, still forgiving. |
| Used fiberglass longboard$200–$350, 8–9′ | Glass, used | Excellent value if you know which dings matter (see below). |
Verdict: After 10+ lessons, a better foam board or a used glass longboard is worth the extra. It’s more responsive and lasts longer.
Tier 03
$350–$500
For surfers who can ride waves and want to progress.
| Board | Build | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Used shortboard or mid-length$300–$450, 7–8′ | Glass, used | A known shaper’s board, ideally from a shop with trade-ins. |
| BIC Sport ACE-TEC 7′6″ | Epoxy | Durable, easier to repair than glass. A solid mid-length. |
| Performance foam shortboard | Foam | Catch Surf, Slater Designs Cymatic: foam fun, real shapes. |
Verdict: A well-chosen used board from a reputable shaper beats a new discount-brand board at twice the price.
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Still torn? Get your board and volume in 60 seconds.
Before you hand over cash
The 5-minute used board check
Used boards are the best value in surfing, but only if you know where to look. Check these four spots in order.
01 · Deck
Press for soft spots
Thumb-press the whole deck. Spongy patches mean delamination: water is in, and it gets worse. Walk away.
02 · Rails
Run a hand along the edges
Cracks or chips on the rails let water in and weaken the board. Fixable, so use them to negotiate.
03 · Leash plug
Wiggle it
A loose plug needs repairing before the board is safe to ride.
04 · Fins
Check boxes and wobble
Cracked fin boxes or a wobbly glassed-on fin is a dealbreaker. Walk away.
Ignore: pressure dents, faded paint and small cosmetic dings. A $10 tube of ding repair fixes most of them.
Do your homework: look up the model and shaper first. A $300 used board from a good shaper beats a new $300 no-name board.
Foam or fiberglass?
Choose foam if
You’ve surfed for less than a year.
More float, softer when it hits you, and far more forgiving. The stigma is 20 years out of date.
Choose fiberglass if
You can trim down the line and control speed.
Most people get there after 20–50 sessions. Full foam vs fiberglass guide →
Questions
Can you get a good surfboard for under $500?
Yes. For beginners, a $100–$300 foam board is the ideal choice, the same type surf schools use worldwide. For intermediates, a quality used fiberglass board at $200–$400 can be excellent. The $500 ceiling only bites for experienced surfers who want new performance fiberglass.
Is a used surfboard worth buying?
For most surfers, yes: you get a good shape at 30–60% of the new price. Check for delamination (soft spots), rail cracks, a loose leash plug and damaged fin boxes first. Cosmetic dings are fine and cheap to repair.
What is the cheapest surfboard a beginner should buy?
An 8–9 foot foam board (soft-top). Wavestorm (sold at Costco), South Bay Board Co and Catch Surf all make reliable beginner foam boards at the bottom of the market.
When should a beginner upgrade from a foam board?
When you can pop up consistently, trim across the wave face and control your speed, usually after 20–50 sessions. Plenty of experienced surfers keep a foam board for small days.
Try before you buy.
Most surf shops rent both foam and fiberglass. Ride one for a session before spending $300.
More Surf Guides
// Free Gear Checklist
Don't buy the wrong gear.
Our free Beginner's Surf Guide has the exact gear checklist — what to buy first, what to skip, and how to pick a board and wetsuit that won't hold you back. Free, instant.
No spam · Instant delivery · Unsubscribe anytime