So you’ve decided you’re going ahead with surfing lessons, that’s awesome! Whether you’ve decided to buy your first surfboard or you’re renting one from the surf school, you’re probably wondering which is better for a beginner surfer such as yourself, a soft- or hard surfboard? We’re here to give you a better understanding as to why each has a different role to play in any beginner surfer’s journey.

Softboard

Chances are you rode a surfboard somewhere in your life or you’re completely new to the whole experience, and with that in mind, if you have ridden a surfboard before, it’s likely you rode a “foamie”. A foamie or softboard is a soft surfboard most commonly used as a beginner board. 

Why Use a Softboard?

When choosing a surfboard for your first lesson or as a newbie surfer, volume plays a critical role in the process. This is where a soft surfboard comes into play. 

Volume & Buoyancy

A soft surfboard’s large volume plays a key role in helping a new surfer learn how to balance on the board. The foam material adds buoyancy which can make it easier for beginner surfers to paddle and ultimately catch a wave. 

Decreased Risk of Injury

As most surfboards are quite large and difficult to operate in the busy waters, chances of getting hurt are high. With a foam surfboard, your risk of injury decreases immensely when learning how to surf on this particular board.

How is this possible? 

When you collide with the board, the hits are padded so you won’t get as hurt as with a normal, hard surfboard. This will also benefit the surfers around you.

Cost

As foamies are mostly used by beginner surfers, don’t expect a sky-high cost for these boards. Essentially, you won’t be paying a lot for these boards making them an added bonus when chosen as your board.

Cons of a Soft-top Surfboard

As with most things in life, softboards do have their cons. 

Size & Weight

A softboard is one of the biggest and heaviest surfboards out of all the boards you get. You’ll have to consider where to store it when you’re not in the water, how you’re going to transport it to the beach, and if you will be capable of carrying the board on your own. 

Below is a great graphic by The Wave Shack on the different surfboards available.

Hardboard / Hard Tops

We’ve discussed why a soft-top surfboard is your best option when beginning your surfing journey, but let’s have a look at hardboards.

Since you’re most likely starting out on a softboard, you’ll probably become a regular surfer and this will cause you to quickly outgrow your foam surfboard. Since you’re becoming more experienced and you’re starting to perfect your surfing skills, board performance and aesthetics will most likely become a priority for you. You’ll also want to show off your killer board, right?

Different Types of Hard Boards

Polyester Resin Type

The more traditional or standard type of surfboard manufactured over the years. This type of surfboard has soft foam shaped into it and covered with layers of polyester resin and fibreglass cloth, giving the surfboard a harder outer layer making it extremely waterproof.

This type of surfboard is fairly easy to carry as it’s not heavy and looks just like a traditional surfboard. 

However, these boards can turn slightly yellow after spending time in the sun for long periods, and they can ding or break easily, again, not ideal for beginners.

Moulded Epoxy Sandwich Type

Because of the mould used to shape the surfboard, it’s often called a “Pop-out”. 

The Moulded Epoxy Sandwich type surfboard is very durable and usually allows its owner to remove its fins.

Epoxy Resin with Fibreglass Cloth Type

Although similar to the polyester boards, it uses a different foam for its core but still has a fibreglass cloth outer layer.

These surfboards are even lighter than the polyester resin surfboards and they’re also more durable. They are also shaped like the traditional surfboards and they can easily be repaired if they get a ding or crack.

Why Hardboards are Better for Professional Surfers

Modern surfboards are typically made of polystyrene foam covered by layers of fibreglass cloth. This makes their outer surface extremely hard, making them unfit for beginner surfers.

Fragile in Beginner Surfer’s Hands

As these boards are quite easy to get a dent or even break, it’s not ideal for beginner surfers to make use of these boards as they’ll most likely be falling off the board 99% of the time. 

Paddling Power

As these hardboards aren’t as easy to paddle with as softboards, you’ll need some paddling power when making use of these boards.
 

Upgrading Your Softboard to a Hardboard

If you’ve been surfing for a while and you’re more comfortable on the water, you might want to upgrade from your softboard. 

For beginner surfers, the best boards to upgrade to are the funboard (Mini Malibu) or the Mini Malibu’s big brother, the longboard (Malibu).

As a smaller version of the longboard, the Mini Malibu is the preferable option if you are paddling through larger surf as they are easier to operate. This board is great when you’ve moved on from the foam surfboard and you’re ready to start learning turns.

Another thing to keep in mind with progressing from a softboard to a hardboard is increased risk of injury. As you’re moving away from the softer foam material, surfboards with harder outer layers can become quite painful when they hit you during your surfing.

Which One Should You Choose as a Beginner?

As we’ve mentioned, the better option when choosing between a softboard and hardboard is definitely the softboard. Since you’re just starting out it’s a given that you’ll be falling off your board quite a lot before becoming better at surfing. 

The foam surfboard will save you some money in the long run and you’ll avoid massive injuries when you’re learning to surf on it. Once you’re comfortable with surfing, you can choose to upgrade to a hardboard of your choosing. Although, try to stay away from anything shorter than the funboard or longboard until you’re 100% comfortable surfing larger waves.
 

Our mission is to ensure you don’t miss out on the stoke of surfing here in the Mother City. Get in touch with our team to start riding waves no matter your surfing level or experience. 

It’s a New Year, and that can mean only one thing: It’s time for us to make (or break) our New Year’s resolutions. But instead of setting yourself resolutions that you can’t keep (like going to the gym), why not try something fun? This year, why not make surfing your New Year’s resolution. 

Human nature states that if you find something you love doing, it won’t be a chore. Force yourself you to do something you hate, and before long you’ll be making new and exciting reasons why you can’t do it. 

A great tip to keeping to your goals is to avoid generalisations. If you want to get healthy, don’t say “I want to be healthier”, rather commit to something that makes you healthier. 

Bad Goal: I want to get healthier and fitter

Good Goal: If I commit to surfing a few days a month, I will become fitter, and by default, I will become healthier. 

Did you know that besides being fun, there are a ton of mental and physical benefits of surfing?  Now ask yourself, would you rather be in a hot, sweaty, stinky gym, or out on the water? We know what we prefer! 

First Time Surfing

Of course, it’s easy to make excuses, such as, “I’ve never surfed before”, “I can’t afford to buy a board”, “I have no one to surf with”, and so on. Fortunately for you, there is no obstacle that you can’t overcome. 

Even professional surfers had to get onto a surfboard for the first time and fall off it to get better at surfing. Also, keep in mind, there is no age limit for learning something new. 

Get Rid of Excuses

You can easily rent a surfboard for as little as R350 —  and if you head to Muizenberg or join one of our classes, you will have people to surf with. You can even make a booking with friends so you can start a new hobby together!

Benefits of Surfing

Play Time

When was the last time you played? As children, we would run and play outside all the time. When our parents called us in for dinner, we would beg for 30 more minutes of playtime. 

Most adults seem to have lost this wonder and eagerness to play; this is reflected in our resolutions. We set goals to lose weight, stop smoking, eat healthier, and all that boring stuff. When was the last time you made a commitment to yourself to have fun?  

With surfing, you’ll be able to muck around in the water with friends and family, or even friendly strangers. And if you want to take a short break from the water, you can always play with a ball or frisbee on the beach. 

Mental Health

We always seem so busy nowadays. With our smartphones continually beeping and demanding our immediate attention, and work or studies that seem almost unending, few sports allow you the opportunity to disconnect fully. 

Surfing isn’t only great for physical health; it’s one of the best ways to clear your mind. So if you want to get into a better mental space, de-stress, or you just want to run away from the world for a few hours, almost nothing can compare with surfing.

Nothing can compare to the deep peace you get when sitting on your board waiting for a wave. 

Get high – In a Family-Friendly Way

It’s worth noting that as you surf your brain will release endorphins which have been proven to reduce depression and anxiety. So when you come out of the water, you will be more relaxed, less depressed, and ready to take on the world!

Doctors really should consider writing prescriptions for surfing, wouldn’t you agree?

Make it a Habit

For a resolution to stick, you need to make it into a habit. The best way to make surfing a habit is to take a few classes to boost your confidence, then commit to going down to the beach a few times a month. Here at Stoked School of Surf, we offer to pick you up for your lessons.

Even if the water is cold, head to the beach. There are numerous types of wetsuits with various thickness, length, etc. that you’ll definitely find your perfect fit. And if your skin is a bit more sensitive on the sensitive side, get a thicker wetsuit to keep you from freezing.

And if you’re thinking “What if it rains?”, what’s the worst that could happen… You’ll get wet? However, don’t go surfing during a thunderstorm…

If you chat to someone who has been surfing for a while, they’ll tell you that surfing gets into the blood. If they go too long without surfing, they get an almost physical craving to get back into the water. So, once you’ve been surfing a few times, surfing will be second nature. 

Are you ready to make surfing your New Year’s resolution? Get in touch and let us help you make that happen.

Although surfing originated in Hawaii, there are surfers all over the globe catching wave after wave. Surfing can make you feel euphoric especially if you catch that mega wave like a pro surfer. From breathing in the crisp air to working your muscles to become stronger with each paddle, surfing has loads of benefits. Let’s take a deep dive into both the physical and mental health benefits of surfing.

Physical Health Benefits of Surfing

From boosting your cardiovascular health to muscle strength, let’s have a look at all the physical health benefits of surfing:

Heart Health

Since you’re paddling out on a board and using your arms, legs, back, and everything else to work your surfing mojo, you’re getting a workout in. All that paddling gets your muscles pumping, allowing your heart’s strength to increase with all the cardio you’re doing. Over time surfing will help lower your blood pressure and your resting heart rate which can result in a decreased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other diseases.

Strengthen & Tone Muscles

Surfing is an excellent total body workout. 

You’ll strengthen:

• trapezius (traps)

• rectus abdominis (core or abs)

• Obliques

• Biceps

• Triceps

• Deltoids

• Pectoral

• Rotator cuff

• Lumbar muscles

• Legs

• Bottom

• Calves

Since you make use of bodyweight in surfing, you’re toning your muscles more than going for a workout in the gym. Although you can train some of the muscles used when paddling, you can’t 100% increase your paddling strength at a gym. 

Tip

Increase your paddling strength by paddling for about 20 minutes on flat water.

Burn Calories in a Fun Way

Instead of visiting a gym and working out for an hour or so, jump on your surfboard and burn calories as you surf. 

Although it depends on the surfer’s body type and other measurements, surfing can burn as much as 130 to 260 calories when surfing for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. 

Use this calculator to calculate how many calories you can burn according to your weight and the time you surf.

Boost Your Immune System

Studies have shown that regularly immersing your body in cold water (aka the freezing ocean) has major benefits for your body. Cold Therapy helps activate your body’s natural healing powers to help it relive symptoms of various medical conditions. It also improves your immune and lymphatic systems as well as your circulation.

The pressure in cold water is anti-inflammatory and can help ease headaches and pain. No wonder you’re always told to bathe in ice water when you have physical injuries! 

Cold Shock

Be careful when going into cold water as it can shock your body by the sudden immersion in cold water. 

Vitamin D

Get your dose of D-elightful hormones from your time in the sun. Since you’re spending all that time in the sun when surfing, you’ll obtain vitamin D for your body to help your bones get stronger. Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium in your blood. 

Sleep Better

Surfing can help improve your sleep quality and help you catch some extra z’s. When you’re outside, the melatonin in your increases and this hormone is responsible for healthy sleep. 

Since surfing physically wipes you out from all that exercising, you’ll fall asleep quicker and stay asleep for longer. The exhaustion will help you get into a deeper sleep to ensure your muscles get repaired from all that activity.

Better Balance & Flexibility

Standing up on your board and staying there requires loads of balance, another benefit of surfing is it improves your balance immensely.

Another benefit of taking up surfing is increased flexibility. As you almost do yoga-like positions to get on top of your board, surfing requires some flexibility on your part. Being flexible also helps prevent injuries on and off your board.

Healthy Skin & Hair

Free whole body facial and detox anyone? Since the ocean is full of saltwater, you’ll get a natural exfoliant making your skin, hair, and scalp oh-so-smooth. Plus, the saltwater can help detox harmful chemicals and air pollution from your body. 

In fact, loads of skincare products make use of saltwater and seaweed. Why buy products when you can reap benefits directly from the source?

Train Your Brain

Think about it… Every day you spend surfing you’re learning to read the ocean and its waves, learning to handle rips, tides, and currents, maybe seeing a new fish or two, and so on. Even if you’re a skilled surfer by now or a total newbie, surfing makes you use your noggin, even if you don’t realise it.

Mental Health Benefits of Surfing

Now that we’ve covered the physical health benefits of surfing, let’s have a look at some of its mental benefits…

According to a report, people suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) saw improvement with a bit of surf therapy incorporated into their daily activities. So as it seems,  surfing doesn’t just have a high impact on your physical well-being but on your mental health as well.

Deal with Stress & Get Rid of Tension

With so many factors contributing to stress in today’s busy world, whether it’s about money or relationships, stress can have some nasty effects on the mind and body. Constantly feeling overwhelmed or anxious is nobody’s cup of tea. 

Surfing can have wonderful effects on the mind as it’s a combination of working out, being outside in the sunshine, and having fun. Doing all this helps your body release cortisol and feel-good endorphins (dopamine or L-theanine) which are linked to improving your mood and even easing pain. 

A surfing session will guarantee a zen moment when you feel like the world is caving in on you or you just need a quick escape.

Improve Confidence and Build Self Love

Taking the time to teach yourself a new skill, like surfing, can help boost your confidence by proving to yourself that you can achieve the goals you set. 

You’ll also build some self-love as you experience the amazing things your body can accomplish, whether that’s surfing like a pro or even just standing up on your board as the wave takes you to shore.

Meet New People

The ocean is massive and there are thousands of surfers out there catching the waves, so meeting new people is a given.

This is a great benefit if you’re not always keen on going surfing on your own. Now you can call up your new, fellow surfer friends and spend your day in the water, having a blast!

If you’re too shy or feel the ice is impossible to break, and you’re a newbie, you are bound to either drop in on someone’s wave or crashing into them, which will guarantee a conversation to spark.

Want to reap the benefits of surfing and become part of the surfing community? Why not start with some surfing lessons in the new year? At Stoked School of Surf, we have lessons available for any occasion, from group to private and Stand Up Paddling (SUP) to surf camps. Get in touch to start your stoked experience today.

5. Dunes

Experience level: Advanced

About a 40-minute drive from Cape Town City Centre, Dunes is another popular surf hotspot close to Noordhoek. 

Before you get excited for your stoked surf moment, you’ll have to journey on a super long beach for around 30-minutes before reaching the water. But who said finding your perfect wave is easy? Luckily this also means the beach won’t be crowded.

Expect some major waves when there is a south-easterly wind present, so be sure to check the weather and wind forecast before your trip! 

This spot is definitely for more experienced surfers who can handle powerful waves with banks that favour rights and super hollow waves. 

Fun Fact: Dunes is a popular surf spot for the band, Goldfish. 

6. Long Beach, Kommetjie

Experience level: Intermediate + Experienced

With consistent swells, friendly locals, and a few covers on numerous travel magazines, Long Beach, Kommetjie is a great spot for advanced surfers to catch a wave or 12.

If you’re lucky (and you check the conditions beforehand), you can find near-perfect left and right wave breaks. The perfect place for natural (right-leg dominate) and goofy footers (left-leg dominate).

Long Beach is one of the few spots in Cape Town that can hold up well with the strong South-West winds. The spot is ideal for surfers, kneeboarders, stand up paddleboarders, longboarders, and even bodyboarders. 

Before you journey to Long Beach, be sure you are prepared with gear and other accessories as there aren’t many nearby rental facilities. You’ll also have to pack food or drive elsewhere if you want to relax at a restaurant post-surf. 

Want to Surf in Cape Town?

With various experienced surf coaches, Stoked School of Surf can provide any new surfer with the opportunity to learn to surf at Cape Town’s many surf hot spots. From private to group lessons, and Stand Up Paddle Boarding, we have it all. You can also choose to meet us at the beach or join a ride with other surfers. Get in touch to ‘Experience the Stoke’.