A funboard surfboard offers the perfect balance for those who want a versatile and enjoyable surfing experience. Ranging from 6 to 8 feet in length, it combines the best features of both a longboard and a shortboard. With a rounder and wider outline than a shortboard, it allows you to effortlessly maneuver through the waves, while its size ensures better stability compared to a fish or performance shortboard.
Choosing the best funboard surfboard can be challenging, especially with the array of options available on the market. But, by considering your skill level, preferred surfing style, and the types of waves you typically ride, you can find the ideal board to suit your needs. Look for quality materials and designs that provide stability, durability, and performance.
To help you in your quest to find the perfect funboard surfboard, we’ve gathered essential tips and tricks to guide you through the selection process. Throughout this article, we’ll provide insights into the different types of funboards and their specific features, as well as discuss how to choose the best funboard surfboard tailored to your personal preferences and skill level. Happy surfing!
5 Benefits of a Funboard Surfboard
Versatility
Funboards offer a versatile surfing experience combining the best of both shortboards and longboards. Their design allows you to enjoy different types of waves and conditions, making them a great choice for surfers of all skill levels. With a funboard, you can adapt your surfing style and still perform well in varying wave conditions.
Easy Paddling
Thanks to their buoyant design, funboards are easy to paddle. Their wider outline, rounder nose, and thicker rails provide more buoyancy, allowing you to paddle both out into the lineup and into waves efficiently. This is crucial for beginners learning to surf, as it helps you catch more waves and progress more quickly.
Enhanced Stability
Funboards offer excellent stability, making it easier for new surfers to master their pop-ups and gain an understanding of board control. The stable nature of funboards makes them a suitable choice for helping you develop your balance and confidence in the water.
Improved Maneuverability
Despite their larger size compared to shortboards, funboards offer impressive maneuverability. Their distinctive design allows for smooth turns and fluid surfing, enabling you to perform various maneuvers on the wave. As you grow more comfortable with your funboard, you’ll be able to execute more advanced moves on the water.
Wave-Catching Ability
Equipped with an effortless wave-catching ability, funboards enable more experienced surfers to ride small waves that their shortboards may not be able to catch. This attribute makes funboards an attractive choice for those looking to maximize their time in the water and have fun in various wave conditions. So, grab your funboard and enjoy the ride!
What Are Funboard Surfboards Made Of
A funboard surfboard is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a versatile board that combines the best features of longboards and shortboards. They provide more buoyancy due to their wider outline, rounder nose, and thicker rails, making them great for surfers of all experience levels. In this section, we will discuss the materials and construction of a funboard surfboard.
Common Constructions for Most Funboard Surfboards
Funboard surfboards are typically made from several standard surfboard materials. The core of the board plays a crucial role in determining its performance characteristics. Some of the commonly used core materials for funboard surfboards include:
- Polyurethane (PU): PU is a popular material found in many surfboards, including funboards. It offers excellent buoyancy and is relatively easy to shape. PU funboards often have a fiberglass outer layer, making them slightly more focused on performance and easy maneuverability.
- Expanded Polystyrene (EPS): This lightweight foam material is ideal for funboard surfboards due to its inherent buoyancy. EPS foam boards are typically coated with epoxy resin, making them more durable and lightweight compared to their PU counterparts.
- Epoxy (PE): Epoxy surfboards have a foam core (either PU or EPS) covered with epoxy resin. This construction ensures more durability, buoyancy, and is generally lighter than polyester-resin-based boards. Epoxy funboards can provide a quicker and more responsive ride, ideal for small to medium-sized waves.
Keep in mind that your choice of construction materials for your funboard surfboard depends on your personal preferences and the performance you seek. Each material has its benefits and potential drawbacks, so consider your skill level and the wave conditions you usually surf in when choosing which funboard surfboard is ideal for you.
Best Funboard Surfboards
Best Funboard Surfboard Overall: 4 x 4 by Chemistry Surfboards
The 4 x 4 by Chemistry Surfboards is the ideal choice for a versatile and high-performing funboard. With a straight outline and slight bumps, this board offers excellent maneuverability and stability. It features a moderate/low rocker for speed generation and paddle power, as well as four shallow channels off the tail, providing great speed and hold.
Best Funboard Surfboard for Small Waves: The Plunder by Haydenshapes Surfboards
The Plunder by Haydenshapes Surfboards is designed for bringing versatility and fun to small waves without losing performance. The fuller-plane shape and unique surface area let the board trim with surprising speed, while the soft diamond tail and rail-line rocker allow it to respond and turn when needed. Experienced surfers should order this board 4-5 inches shorter than their standard shortboard.
Best Funboard Surfboard for Beginners: The Pill 2 by Timmy Patterson Surfboards
For beginners, The Pill 2 by Timmy Patterson Surfboards delivers impressive speed and responsiveness, even with a wide tail. With a carefully crafted curve and innovative bottom contour, it creates a dynamic platform for high-speed surfing and snappy turns, especially when equipped with larger side fins.
Best Funboard Surfboard for Stability: The Scrambled Egg by Elemnt Surfboards
The Scrambled Egg by Elemnt Surf offers excellent stability and easy balancing, thanks to its extra wide and curvy outline. It features a rounded egg-shaped nose and tail combined with good paddling capability and smooth ride. This board performs well on various wave types while maintaining decent turning performance.
Best Funboard Surfboard for Advanced Surfers: Big Baron by JS Industries
The Big Baron from JS Industries is an ideal choice for advanced surfers looking for a performance-focused mid-length board. Its wider plan shape and flatter rocker make it easy to generate speed and hold momentum, while low and knifey rails help control speed and give the model more range in bigger waves. It performs exceptionally well on point breaks, especially when battling busy lineups.
Best Funboard Surfboard for Paddling: Beer Fridge by Chemistry Surfboards
For those who prioritize paddling capability, the Beer Fridge by Chemistry Surfboards is a great choice. This model is a blend between the Flashpoint and R2 surfboards, featuring a thicker nose and tail foil for easier riding and a lower overall rocker for catching flatter waves. The subtle hip helps narrow the outline through the tail, and the six channels offer excellent drive and bite. Remember to order this model 1/8″ – 3/16″ thinner than your standard shortboard, as it carries more foam.
How to Store a Funboard Surfboard
On a Rack
When storing your funboard surfboard on a rack, ensure the rack is stable and the board is appropriately fastened to it. Straps or bungee cords can be employed for securing the board to the rack. For added protection against scratches and other damages, consider using a surfboard bag or surfboard sock.
Storage Tips
Keep these guidelines in mind for proper storage of your funboard surfboard:
- Avoid direct sunlight: Prolonged exposure to sunlight may cause damage to your board.
- Don’t leave your board in a car: High temperatures inside a car may cause warping and damage to your surfboard.
- Store on soft surfaces: Refrain from placing your surfboard on hard surfaces, as it may lead to pressure dings and other damage.
- Secure your board: Make certain the board is securely fastened to prevent accidents or damage.
- Rinse with fresh water: After each use, rinse your board with fresh water to remove saltwater and other debris.
- Use a surfboard bag or sock: To protect your board, always use a surfboard bag or sock when storing.
- Don’t hang by the leash: Hanging your surfboards by the leash may cause stress on the attachment point and could lead to damage or board failure.
Following these tips will help ensure your funboard surfboard stays in the best possible condition, ready for your next surfing adventure.
Best Funboard Surfboard Brands
Chemistry Surfboards
Chemistry Surfboards is a brand that focuses on providing customized, handmade products for surfers of all skill levels. They pride themselves on maintaining a sense of originality in an industry that is full of mass-produced items. When you choose a Chemistry Surfboard, you can expect a progressive, open-minded design tailored to your preferences, which can lead to a more enjoyable and fulfilling surfing experience.
Haydenshapes Surfboards
Haydenshapes Surfboards offers a vast range of products designed by Hayden Cox. With a focus on innovation and quality, these surfboards cater to surfers all across the USA. Haydenshapes is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a surfboard brand that combines modern design with practical functionality. Give their surfboards a try, and you may find that they elevate your surfing experience.
JS Industries
Established in 1999 by Jason Stevenson, JS Industries is renowned for its high-performance surfboards. Preferred by some of the world’s best surfers, these boards deliver top-notch quality and performance. When you choose a JS Industries surfboard, you can trust that you’re riding a tried-and-true design that has been carefully crafted and thoroughly tested.
Channel Islands Surfboards
Channel Islands Surfboards has been committed to performance, quality, hard work, innovation, and originality since 1969. With their innovative designs and top-tier craftsmanship, you can expect a durable and reliable surfboard when you go with Channel Islands. As a brand with decades of experience, they know what it takes to create the ideal funboard for surfers of all levels.