8ft Surfboard
So you want an 8ft board but there are at least a gazillion different models to choose from. What are you going to do?
Okay, so this is a really tricky decision you're faced with. Almost all 8' surfboards have very similar outlines and dimensions. Apart from a few specialist big wave guns, they're pretty much all mini mals.
If you don't spend half your days writing about the finer points of difference between surfboards, you'd be excused for thinking they're essentially the same board with different logos.
Luckily for you, my job involves digging deeper to see what makes a great board stand out, and I've put together a guide on some top contenders in the world of 8' foam surfboards.
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The 4 Best 8ft Surfboards
#1 Best for beginners - Wavestorm 8'
This Wavestorm 8ft board is one of the best sellers in the whole surf industry.
Hundreds of thousands of these beginner boards have been sold since the model first came out.
At 8' x 22.5" x 3.25" and 86L volume, these are floatier than any other board in my review.
This extra buoyancy is just what beginners need to help with their paddling and pop-ups, especially when learning as adults in small waves.
Kids might find it quite hard to manage, but there are plenty of other suitable options out there for younger learners (such as Wavestorm's own 7ft model).
The manufacture of these Wavestorms is aimed at balancing build quality with keeping the price as low as possible.
They use an EPS core with three marine-ply stringers for added strength, HDPE slick base, and a Water Barrier Skin on the deck. This top layer doesn't give the best protection on the market, but it's good enough to keep your board going strong for quite a while (NB: remember to rinse the salt off after each surf session and store the board in the shade).
The Wavestorm comes with a full set of accessories, including a leash, bolt-through fin system, and built-in traction pad. The only other thing you need to buy is a block of wax, as the deck is rather slippery on its own. It's basically a perfect package for those learning to surf, just grab, wax, and go!
Pros & Cons
#2 Most durable beginner surfboard - SBBC Verve 8'
The Verve, from South Bay Board Co, is aimed at the more discerning end of the beginner market.
Although the construction uses some similar materials and features to the Wavestorm (EPS core, HDPE base, bolt-through fin system), one of the stringers is fiberglass instead of wood (to balance flex and strength), and the board is further reinforced by internal layers of fiberglassed bamboo.
The deck skin employs SBBC's patented "fingerprint" pattern IXPE foam, which eliminates the need for wax entirely.
These premium features obviously come with a slightly heftier price tag.
If you just want a board to get you past the beginner stage before moving on to something shorter, you may be best sticking with the cheaper option.
However, if you want to use your 8ft board long-term as a mini mal, the Verve is going to outlast most of its competitors.
So how about performance? Slightly wider but thinner (23" x 3") than the Wavestorm, the Verve has 80L of volume and does feel like a slightly more refined shape. The board has a recommended weight capacity for beginners of 200lbs, so larger learners might want to opt for the chunkier competition. For intermediates and above, however, the Verve should still be plenty buoyant but more maneuverable due mostly to the thinner rails and slight tail rocker. It's definitely closer to the feel of a classic surfboard rather than a "foamie".
Overall, I really like the verve. I'd say it's worth the extra investment if your budget stretches to it and you're confident your board will see regular use.
Pros & Cons
#3 Best for teens - SBBC Guppy 8'
At a glance, the Guppy looks comparable to the other SBBC board I've reviewed here.
Aside from being the same length and thickness (the Guppy is 1" narrower at 22"), the actual outline shapes are very similar.
Both boards even use the same nose and tail rocker profile and fin system.
However, the Guppy is part of SBBC's value range, and the difference between this and a premium product like the Verve is clear once you look closer.
For one thing, the matching 80L volume is achieved by maintaining thickness all the way out to the rails.
This means extra stability for beginners but I do find it harder to carve as a result.
Construction-wise, the fiberglass stringer and bamboo layers have been ditched in favor of two thicker wooden stringers, and the Guppy uses a simpler textured foam deck, which is designed for ease of wax application rather than as a wax substitute.
Overall, the narrower profile and reduced price make this option better suited for teenage learners than its stablemate.
Pros & Cons
#4 Best for advanced surfers - Boardworks Froth 8'
Froth, the surfboard arm of Boardworks, take a rather different approach to the other manufacturers I've included here.
Basically, they don't make soft boards. Instead, Froth build a hard fiberglassed surfboard with an EPS core, then wrap the deck in a soft EVA skin for the cushioned effect.
This approach allows a much more performance-orientated shape, especially thinner rails with the volume "hidden" in the center of the board. At 8' x 23" x 3.4", this sounds at face value like the biggest board of the lot.
However, it's actually by far the smallest in terms of overall volume, at just 71L! That should give you an idea of exactly how much more responsive this board feels. It's a whole different animal.
While several of the others are primarily beginner surfboards, the Froth 8' is definitely a performance mini mal. Fast and responsive, it's definitely the pick of the bunch for good surfers. I really like the way they've found the sweet spot between soft top safety and a more classic surfboard ride profile.
The performance first ethos is also carried into the accessories, with Boardworks including a thruster set in the Futures fin system, so you can switch them out for a more customized experience.
The lower volume might be offputting for newbies, but from intermediate and up it's plenty to get even a heavier guy like me into most waves and, more importantly, to get the most out of riding them. If big waves are your thing, a bit of extra rocker and the ability to knife in those rails really helps out in head high waves and above.
Pros & Cons
FAQ
Is an 8ft surfboard good for beginners?
Somewhere in the 8ft range is exactly where most beginners start out. Big and friendly with plenty of wave catching power and stability are what a first board is all about. Younger kids may find the width of most 8ft boards makes paddling with short arms quite taxing, but for teens and adults, these are the way to go.
What sized person does an 8ft surfboard fit?
Most 8ft boards have a volume around 80L, which is plenty buoyant enough for beginners up to around 230lbs (do check the weight rating for the specific model though). More advanced surfers don't need quite as much foam as beginners so even a very large rider indeed could use an 8ft surfboard comfortably if they know what they're doing.
Is an 8ft surfboard a longboard?
Traditionally, longboards are considered to be around 9'+ in length, with "longboard-shaped" surfboards in the 7'-8'6" bracket being referred to as mini mals. However, for a smaller rider, an 8' full-nosed board will give them the same type of cruisy retro ride that I would be looking for in a 9'6".
Final Thoughts
Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced surfer, there's something out there that's perfect for you to surf. If you're an experienced surfer looking to conquer head high waves, go for something strong and with thinner rails, like the SBBC Verve or Boardworks Froth. If you're a beginner, the choice is going to come down more to comfort and price. Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great time!
Jasmine Oneill Martin // Team Writer