Considering taking up surfing as a hobby or looking to expand your existing quiver of surfboards?
Our helpful guide on how much surfboards cost will give you a perfect insight into how much well-earned cash you’ll need to drop on your new or pre-loved stick.
Here’s the short answer:
- Shortboards – $400-$1000+
- Longboards – $750-$1500+
- Foamies – $250-$550
- Mini mals – $600-$900+
- Fish – $450-$1000+
- Gun boards – $750-$1500+
- Hybrids – $400-$1000+
*Please note these are estimates for brand new boards and board prices will vary widely based on your location and several other factors
Now let’s take a closer look at how much each surfboard will cost you and why.
How much do different types of surfboards cost?
Surfboards arent’ all equal, different lengths and board construction will all have their own cost.
We’ve broken down the different kinds of surfboards, what kind of money you can expect to pay and why some surfboards incur extra costs.
Shortboards
Shortboards are one of the most popular surfboard shapes, they’re fast and fun, allowing surfers to take on nearly all kinds of surfing conditions.
There are various types of shortboards:
- High-performance shortboard (for surfing big waves and barrels)
- Daily drivers (for average everyday surf conditions)
- Grovellers (for making the most out of small surf)
With so many options in terms of surfboard brands and the shape of the board, the price of a new shortboard can vary considerably.
Price range: $400-$1000+
Longboards
Longboards are 9ft+ and are characterised by their length, and wide nose. They’re normally surfed with a single fin and are best for knee-to-head high mellow waves.
The price of a new longboard is always going to be slightly more because it requires more materials to produce.
Price range: $750-$1500+
Foamies
Foamies or soft tops come in all shapes and sizes for egg boards, grovellers, mini mals etc
The price of soft tops makes them a perfect choice for someone who wants to start teaching themselves to surf on a budget.
Price range: $250-$550
Fish
Fish surfboards are identified by their distinctive tail shape which is similar to a large swallowtail.
They normally have a wider flatter profile making them great options for grovelling in small waves and tackling messy surf.
Price range: $450-$1000+
Mini mals
Mini mals short or mini malibus are like scaled-down longboards.
Their smaller profile makes them much easier to transport to and from the beach and they’re much more manoeuvrable.
Add this to the fact they provide plenty of buoyancy for beginner and intermediate surfers to catch waves and they’re a perfect first board for someone who wants sot get better at surfing.
Price range: $600-$900+
Guns
Gun boards are used to surf some of the world’s biggest waves. They’re like a scaled-up shortboard, they still have a curved rocker, sharp rails and a pulled-in tail but the extra volume allows you to paddle and catch much larger waves.
Guns cost considerably more than shortboards because:
- They require larger fibreglass blanks
- They take longer to shape
- Very few guns are sold so you’ll probably need to get a custom shape
Only surfers that are at a very high skill level will even need a gun in their quiver making them a rare sight in surf shops.
If riding waves as large as houses is within your skill set then your best bet is to find a skilled surfboard shaper who has experience shaping boards for big wave surfers.
Price range: $750-$1500+
Hybrid Surfboards
Hybrids are a mash-up of small wave boards like eggs and fish with a performance shortboard.
They’re typically the same length or shorter than a normal shortboard and with a wider template, they’re suited to surfing small waves and subpar surf conditions.
Price range: $400-$1000+
What affects the cost of the surfboard you’re buying?
When you first go into a surf shop or look online it can be hard to understand all the different prices.
Let’s take a quick look at how different surfboard features and construction can increase the amount of money you need to spend.
Epoxy
Epoxy boards have some advantages over traditional PU polyurethane surfboards. They’re more buoyant so you’ll find it easier to paddle and catch more waves.
Epoxy construction is more durable than a PU surfboard as well so you can avoid most minor dings. Both buoyancy and a solid build make them a perfect option for beginner surfers.
Because epoxy surfboards can be mass-produced in factories with ease there’s not always an extra cost associated with them
Custom
Rather than heading to your local surf shop and grabbing a stock board, you can speak to a surfboard shaper to try and create a unique board specifically designed for you and your surfing.
Custom surfboard prices vary from shaper to shaper but for the most part, it’s going to cost between 10-15% more to get a board shaped instead of the brand surfboards you can pull off the rack.
Sprays and resin tints
Spray jobs on surfboards look epic and resin tints turn your stick into a piece of art.
We’re big fans of colourful boards but the extra work needed to add either a resin tint or a custom spray doesn’t come for free.
Expect to pay anything in the range of an extra $100-$250 dollars extra for a custom spray or resin tint on your new surfboard.
Extra layers of glassing
Most boards come with a 4oz layer of fibreglass cloth on the bottom of your board and two layers on the deck for extra protection against the pressure of paddling and surfing.
When you opt for a custom shape board you can add an extra layer of cloth to the deck of your board to increase its durability and lifespan of the board.
As you’d imagine the extra cloth will set you back anywhere in the region of $30 to $60 but it’s well worth it if you want to keep the deck of your board ding free and maintain the resale price of your surfboard.
Wider, longer boards
Materials play an important role in surfboard price, whether it’s hand shaped or produced in a factory.
This means the length and width of a surfboard will affect the cost just because more resources are required to create your board.
That’s why prices for surfboards like guns and longboards are so much higher.
Fin setup
Lots of boards, shortboards in particular come with an option for a 3-fin or 5-fin set up with the latter being more expensive.
The same can be said about custom shapes where the option to go for a quad setup will cost you a little extra.
Inflation
The price of polyurethane and various factors globally has led to a sharp increase in the cost of surfboards globally.
Surf shops and shapers have to increase their prices to match the market and that means we’re all paying more to do the sport we love.
How much do secondhand surfboards cost?
Used surfboard costs are considerably newer than a fresh new stick and if you’re willing to do some searching online you can uncover some real bargains.
Surfboards are like new cars, as soon as you leave the surf shop they immediately lose value and a single pressure dent can knock hundreds of dollars off an otherwise new board.
If the prices so far seem a bit outside of your budget then a pre-loved surfboard might be a great option.
Buying a used board requires some basic checks to make sure you’re not buying a previously snapped or damaged board.
Don’t miss our guide packed full of tips on buying a second-hand surfboard to get the best stick for your well-earned dollars.
How much do surfboards cost, surfboard prices explained
We answer your questions about surfboards, pricing and the best option for you.
What’s the most expensive surfboard you can buy?
Custom-shaped epoxy longboards are one of the most expensive boards you can buy due to the extra cost associated with their length and epoxy boards.
How much should a beginner’s surfboard cost?
This really depends on how much you want to spend but you should be able to get a surfable second-hand surfboard for as little as $100-$200.
Are there other costs associated with owning a surfboard?
At the very least you’ll need to buy accessories including a leash, wax and some surfboard fins.
Most surfers like to add a tail pad/ traction pad and if you live somewhere with water temps below 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius you’ll need a wetsuit to surf for any considerable length of time.
How much is a good surfboard?
You can expect to pay anything upwards of $500 for a quality shortboard, $600 for a mini mal and $750 for a longboard or gun.