If you need a general idea of what surfboard is right for your height, weight and surfing ability, the charts below will help you find the right surfboard to meet your needs an ability. The right surfboard can make the difference betwen a fun day and a frustrating day at the beach. These are a rough guideline and by no means, does it address all issues. For certain areas and waves, you might need to go even longer, for instance if you live in an area where you always have to wear a wetsuit or a place with powerful waves, like Hawaii.
Enjoy your time in the water.
Beginning Surfers Surfboard Size Chart
| Your Height | Your Weight | Surfboard Board Length |
| 4′10″-5′4″ | 80-125 | 7′0″-7′6″ |
| 5′4″-5′10″ | 130-170 | 7′4″-7′10″ |
| 5′10″-6′0″ | 150-200 | 7′10″-8′0″ |
| 5′11″-6′3″ | 170-220 | 7′11″-8′3″ |
| 6′1″-6′6″ | 190-260 | 8′1″-9′6″ |
With these beginner recommended sizes, you will maximize time actually being able to surf. You won’t have a board that’s so long you can’t paddle it, nor will you have a board too short to give you proper floatation. You should be able to make the best of your time in the water if you’re a beginning surfer and follow these guidelines. You will want to stick with funshapes and longboard type surfboards with a wide nose and tail. You may be tempted to go shorter or get a real shortboard, but unless you have a very high drive to succeed, you’ll get frustrated as a beginner and end up quitting surfing.
Intermediate Surfers Surfboard Size Chart
| Your Height | Your Weight | Surfboard Board Length |
| 4′10″-5′4″ | 80-125 | 5′6″-5′11″ |
| 5′4″-5′10″ | 130-170 | 5′9″-6′3″ |
| 5′10″-6′0″ | 150-200 | 6′0″-6′6″ |
| 5′11″-6′3″ | 170-220 | 6′3″-6′8″ |
| 6′1″-6′6″ | 190-260 | 6′6″-7′4″ |
OK, you have some skill and now, you can switch to a shorter board. Of course, you can always go longer, but this chart is geared toward the intermediate surfer who’s goal is to ride shortboards. You’ll be needing less floatation, because as an intermediate surfer, your paddling ability should be up to par with nearly anyone. These boards will allow you maximum maneuverability and still be fun in small weak waves. The extra length will allow you to get into the wave sooner and really get a feeling for shortboard surfing.
Advanced Surfs Board Guide
If you’re an advanced surfer, you can ride anything you want. The sky is the limit when it comes to surfboards. You’re probably riding a board shorter than you, potato chip thin and so narrow, it really could be an ironing board. Advanced surfers can generally ride any surfboard there is and some can surf anything. Check out the video below from “Fair Bits”of Kelly Slater and Rob Machado riding a coffee table, a snow sled and things you would never think of trying to surf!