Common Beginner Surfboard Mistakes & How to Fix Them

So, you finally decided to start surfing. Maybe you’re in San Diego, maybe you rented a board down at Pacific Beach or OB, maybe you saw someone glide down a clean little waist-high roller and thought, yeah, I want that feeling too. Good call. Surfing is addicting, frustrating, humbling… all of it. But here’s the thing nobody tells you when you pick up your first board: the learning curve is full of silly, avoidable mistakes. And honestly, most of us make them. I made almost all of them.

Let’s talk through some of the most common beginner surfboard mistakes I see around here in San Diego—and what you can actually do about them. Think of this as me buying you a coffee after a surf and spilling the stuff I wish someone had told me earlier.

Mistake #1: Starting Too Small, Too Soon

It’s tempting, right? You see those short little performance boards all the locals rip on and think, that’s surfing. But as a beginner? Wrong tool. A lot of people pick up boards that are way too short, way too thin, and way too twitchy. You’ll paddle like crazy, miss most waves, and when you finally stand up, it’ll feel like balancing on a bar of soap.

Fix: Go big. Longboard big. Foamie big. A beginner surfboard in San Diego usually means something soft-top, around 8–9 feet, wide and forgiving. You’ll catch more waves, which means more practice, which means faster progress. Doesn’t look “cool”? Who cares. Progress is cool.

Mistake #2: Wax Crimes

I swear, I’ve seen beginner boards in San Diego either caked with an inch of wax (like frosting on a cake) or completely bare and slippery. Both are… not great. Too much wax and your feet stick awkwardly, too little and you’ll slide off the second you pop up.

Fix: Apply a light base coat and then a top layer in little cross-hatched bumps. Don’t overthink it. And keep a wax comb handy, especially when the sun softens things up. (Oh, and use the right temperature wax—San Diego water is usually in that cool-to-warm range, so don’t grab the tropical stuff unless you’re planning a Hawaii trip.)

Mistake #3: Ignoring Volume

A lot of beginners think surfboard length is the only thing that matters. But volume—how much float a board has—is just as important. Too little volume and you’ll sink, paddle slower, and get frustrated.

Fix: Check the leaderboards (pun intended) on volume calculators online, or talk to a local shaper. Seriously, surfboard building in San Diego is a whole scene. The shapers here geek out about volume, rails, rocker, all of it, and they’ll happily set you straight. Even if you’re shopping custom surfboards online, most good websites will ask your weight, height, and skill level to match you up with something that floats properly.

Mistake #4: Nose Diving (The Classic “Pearl”)

If you’ve ever seen someone pop up and instantly plant the nose of their board into the water like a shovel, you know the pearl. Happens all the time.

Fix: Two things—position and timing. Slide yourself a little further back on the board so the nose lifts. And when paddling into waves, look up and arch your back slightly to keep weight off the nose. Timing helps too—don’t paddle for the wave too late. Start early, get momentum, and then commit.

Mistake #5: Carrying Your Board Like It’s a Toy

This one is more of a vibe thing, but I see beginners dragging their boards nose-first on the ground, bumping into cars, even clobbering other surfers in the parking lot. It’s not just awkward, it trashes your board.

Fix: Tuck it under your arm with the fins facing forward, or get a board bag if you’re walking longer distances. Treat your board with respect—it’ll treat you better in the water.

Mistake #6: Forgetting About Waves

Honestly, the board is only half the equation. You can have the perfect beginner surfboard in San Diego, but if you paddle straight into double-overhead sets at Black’s, you’re in for a beating.

Fix: Start mellow. San Diego has a ton of beginner-friendly breaks—Tourmaline, La Jolla Shores, Mission Beach. Gentle rollers, sandy bottoms, and friendly crowds. Learn the basics there before stepping up.

A Quick Story (Because Stories Stick)

I remember when I bought my first “real” board—some 6’2” pointy shortboard off Craigslist because I thought it looked pro. Took it out at PB on a waist-high day. I maybe caught one wave in two hours, and I pearled so hard I got sand in my ears. The next week, I borrowed my buddy’s 8’ foamie. Totally different experience. I actually rode waves. Stood up. Had fun. That’s when it clicked: it’s not about the board looking cool, it’s about you getting time on your feet.

The Bigger Picture

You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does. Some of them are part of the process—you kind of have to pearl a few times before you get it. But fixing these small things early (right board size, proper wax, decent wave choice) will save you months of frustration.

And hey, if you get obsessed—and you probably will—you might even start geeking out about custom surfboards online or wander into one of the shaping bays here in San Diego to watch the masters work. Surfboard building in San Diego is an art form, and once you see how much love goes into each board, you’ll treat yours differently too.

At the end of the day, just remember: the best beginner surfboard in San Diego is the one that gets you smiling in the water. Don’t stress the details too much. Avoid the common pitfalls, learn from your wipeouts, and keep paddling back out. The rest… well, that’s surfing.

Sizing Guide: Length, Width, and Thickness for Intermediate Surfers

Discovering the Best Surfboard For Intermediate surfers may seem daunting. Once having crossed the beginner stage, most surfers begin to understand that the board chosen plays a gigantic role in performance, growth, and overall enjoyment on the water. The proper ratio of length, width, and thickness is what creates an ordinary ride versus an unforgettable experience. If you're in the intermediate range—catching waves regularly and beginning to practice turns—this article will give you an idea of what board dimensions are most important to consider when selecting your next board.

Why Board Dimensions Matter

All surfboards are constructed with three fundamental measurements: length, width, and thickness. These aren't merely figures—they determine how your board paddles, how fast it catches waves, and how it handles once you're standing up and riding. For intermediate surfers, these specifics matter particularly. You need stability enough to continue improving, yet responsiveness in order to begin doing maneuvers.

If the board is too large, you won't be able to advance past novice surfing. Too small, and you'll catch waves too easily or tumble over. Getting that just-right balance is the secret to achieving the Best Surfboard For Intermediate development.

Length: The Sweet Spot

A surfboard's length plays a direct role in how well you're able to paddle into waves and how much control you retain when standing.

Longer boards (7'0" and longer): They are more straightforward to paddle and catch waves, but they can be heavy under your feet and less responsive. As an intermediate that still desires stability, an enjoyable board in the 7'0"–7'6" size range is usually a good option.

Mid-length boards (6'4"–7'0"): These provide the most ideal compromise between paddle power and control. This is where most intermediate surfers are most at ease as they begin to make turns and gain confidence. 

Shorter boards (under 6'4"): These are more sensitive but need stronger paddling and optimal positioning. Many intermediates are tempted to go short too early. It is advisable to reduce the length gradually.

A good rule of thumb is to choose a board that’s a few inches taller than your height when you’re starting as an intermediate, and then reduce length as you gain skill and confidence.

Width: Stability Meets Performance

Width is what gives you side-to-side stability. Wider boards float better, making it easier to balance, but they can also feel sluggish when you want sharper turns.

20"–21.5" width: Ideal for the intermediate surfer who needs a forgiving platform to stand on. A slight increase in extra width gets more waves under you without sacrificing control.

Width less than 20": Narrower outline boards are faster rail-to-rail and more high-performance feeling, but harder to balance on in chop or congested conditions.

For the average intermediate surfer, a board measuring approximately 20–21 inches in width is the optimal compromise between comfort and ease of turning.

Thickness: The Volume Factor

Thickness regulates how much foam is within your board and means float. When combined with width and length, thickness defines the volume of your surfboard—the most significant measurement for correlating with your skill level.

Thicker boards (2.75"–3"): Perfect for effortless paddling and added buoyancy, which will assist in smaller waves. But too much thickness makes a board less sensitive.

Thinner boards (less than 2.5"): Give you more response and control, but feel exhausting to paddle and don't support you as well when floating if you're still figuring wave positioning.

As an intermediate, shoot for sufficient thickness to hold you up without compromising maneuverability. 2.5"–2.75" is a good middle ground for most surfers.

Matching Your Surfboard to Your Goals

The Best Surfboard For Intermediate surfers is not just a matter of size but also of what you are looking to do in the water.

If you're emphasizing catching more waves: A bit longer and wider board with increased thickness will provide plenty of volume and wave numbers.

If you're trying to develop turns and speed: A shorter and narrower board with moderate thickness will allow you to transition into tighter maneuvers.

If you need versatility: A hybrid or a funboard at mid-length can perform on small, mushy days as well as clean, shoulder-high days.

Your weight, fitness, and local surf conditions will also have an effect on your decision. Heavier riders or those in weaker waves tend to prefer more volume, whereas lighter riders or punchy beach breaks can get smaller and thinner.

Looking at New Boards

The marketplace is brimming with New Surfboards For Sale that are specifically targeted toward intermediates. Numerous brands have boards designed for progression in mind, with shapes that span the gap between beginner foamies and high-performance shortboards. When shopping for options, don't simply follow trends—read the dimensions closely and think about how they suit your level and at-home waves.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the Ideal Surfboard For Intermediate surfers is a matter of balancing stability and performance. Length provides you with paddle power, width stabilizes you, and thickness decides how much float you'll have. Individually, they define how you'll continue to develop as a surfer.

Don't be in a hurry to the thinnest, shortest, or narrowest board simply because it appears to be cutting-edge. Rather, choose a board that boosts your confidence, makes you catch more waves, and progressively enables you to hone your skills. With the proper sizes and a focused emphasis on improvement, you not only experience more reliable sessions but also gain access to the next level of your surfing journey.