Wavestorm foam surfboards

Soft top construction, explained

A foam surfboard, also called a soft top, softboard or foamie, replaces the hard fiberglass and resin shell of a traditional board with soft materials. Ours begin with an expanded polystyrene (EPS) core, reinforced by three stringers that act like a spine. The deck is a soft Water Barrier Skin with a UV-protected graphic film, and the bottom is a slick high-density polyethylene skin. The result is a board that is light, buoyant and very hard to get hurt on.

Compared with a hard fiberglass or epoxy shortboard, a foam board is wider, thicker and floats more. That extra volume gives you stability when you stand, makes paddling easier and helps you catch waves earlier, which is exactly what you want while you are learning.

How to pick the right length

Length and volume do most of the work. The 8ft Classic (8' x 22.5" x 3.25", 86 L) suits adults up to around 200 pounds and is the most popular longboard-style beginner shape we make. The 7ft (70 L) is better for kids, teens and lighter adults who want something easier to carry. The 5'6" fish (42 L) is a small-wave board for riders who can already stand and want more control in turns.

If you are buying for a household, the two-board sets give you two complete setups at once — the 8ft and 7ft pair covers two body sizes, and the 8ft bundle gives you two identical boards in different graphics.

Fins, leash and wax

Every surfboard here comes with removable fins, a leash and a traction pad. Our Classics use bolt-thru fins: three 4.5" fins in a thruster setup for a balance of stability and turning. Spares and replacement screws live in the accessories section. Soft tops don't need wax on the deck, though a light basecoat can add grip if you surf in boardshorts.

Treat the board kindly and it lasts: rinse it, keep it out of hot cars, and use a board sock or bag for travel. Small dings in the deck are cosmetic on foam, and a repair kit is rarely needed.