17 Apr How Much Do Surfboards Cost? [Surfboard Price Guide 2024]
One of the many beautiful things about the sport of surfing is that once you have all of your equipment, the sport is essentially free. You don’t need to pay for lift tickets or entry fees- the ocean is free for anyone to use! If you’re new to the sport, you might find yourself wondering, “exactly how much do surfboards cost”?
Well, the cost of surfboards vary quite a bit. Today, you can snag a used surfboard for as low as $50 (or free if you know where to look), and newer, beautiful hand shaped surfboards can get into the thousands.
This price range is so large because surfboard quality and different types of surfboard significantly impact the cost of surfboards. In this post, we’re going to dive into the specifics of how much surfboards cost and what you can expect to pay for each different type of surfboard.
What’s in this surfboard price breakdown:
- Price of foam surfboards
- Price of PU and Epoxy shortboards
- Price of PU and Epoxy longboards
- What makes surfboards so expensive?
- How much should you spend on your first surfboard?
- Popular surfboard brands and their costs
- Where to buy used boards
- How to buy a used board
Price of foam surfboards
Foam surfboards, also known as soft tops and foamies are typically the most affordable type of surfboard. They’re also the best beginner surfboard, which makes a foam surfboard a fantastic, affordable choice for someone looking to get into surfing.
The price of brand new foam surfboards typically starts at about $150, and higher quality foam surfboards can get into the $600-$800 price range.
Foam surfboards aren’t just for beginners though- plenty of experienced surfers choose to ride foamies of all shapes and sizes Typically, the longer the foam surfboard is, the more expensive it is.
Here are examples of foam surfboards on the lower end and the higher end:
- The Gerry Lopez 8 foot Soft Top (the successor to the Wavestorm) is a great option for beginners as it offers 8 feet of stability and a wide nose with plenty of rocker that helps beginners keep their boards from nose diving on late drops. Retailing for just $150, this is an excellent, affordable starter surfboard for beginners.
- Curious about the price of foam surfboards on the higher end? The Ben Gravy Wave Bandit foam surfboards from Catch Surf start at around $300 for their shorter models, and get up into the $400 range for their longer surfboards. These foam surfboards are extremely durable, higher performance, and have fun, colorful graphic designs on the bottom.
- There are also higher quality soft tops with hard construction, made by Torq which sells in the range of $650-$750. These are our favorite soft tops and we use some of those at our surf retreat in Costa Rica.
Cost of used soft top surfboards
If you’re really trying to find an affordable surfboard, we recommend checking out the used surfboard market. You can typically find a basic used foam surfboard starting at $50, and a higher quality used foam surfboard for around $200, depending on where you are and if there are a lot of surfboards in supply.
When shopping for used foam surfboards, just be sure to see the board in person before committing to buying it. Be sure to carefully inspect and hold the board, and make sure it’s not too heavy, aka waterlogged, or creased (bent side to side).
Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are both great places to find used foam surfboards.
Price of PU and Epoxy shortboards
Typically, hardtop shortboards are made of polyurethane or epoxy, and these shortboards cost anywhere from $450-$1,000 brand new. Brands like Salty Gypsy and Modern Surfboards sell high quality PU shortboards for as low as $450, and brands like Firewire and Channel Islands are typically more expensive and closer to the $800 range for both Epoxy and PU boards.
Shortboards are usually cheaper than longboards because they require much less material. When looking at new hardtop surfboards, you’ll find that epoxy runs on the pricier side as the materials are a little more expensive.
Cost of used fiberglass shortboards
You don’t have to drop a ton of cash to secure a nice fiberglass shortboard. On the resell market, you can find high quality shortboards for as little as $200-$300. Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are great places to look for used shortboards, and local surf shops will often have a selection of affordable used surfboards for sale.
Price of PU and Epoxy longboards
You can find new hardtop longboards for sale for as low as $500 or $600 from brands like NSP Surfboards, but typically, brand new longboards are going to cost about $1,000 or more. Most hardtop longboards are made from Polyurethane, although a few shapers, like Firewire, and NSP Surfboards, are now using Epoxy to construct lighter and more durable longboards.
Hand shaped and glassed longboards are often considered a work of art, complete with beautiful glass jobs, and even unique, glassed-in fins at times. It’s not uncommon to see some longboards for sale for over $2,000! Although you certainly don’t need to spend that much when you’re first starting out.
Are you looking to buy your very first longboard? Check out our ultimate guide on selecting your very first longboard!
Price of used fiberglass/ EPS longboards
If you’re a beginner looking to upgrade from a foamie, a Polyurethane longboard is a good next step, and you can often find used, high quality longboards on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and even your local surf shop. You can find used longboards for as low as a few hundred dollars.
Price of used hardtop longboards
If you’re a beginner looking to upgrade from a foamie without dropping too much money, it’s a good idea to find a used hardtop longboard from Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or even your local surf shop. You can find used longboards for as low as a few hundred dollars.
On the used surfboard market, you’ll mostly find PU longboards for sale, as these are much more common. Epoxy longboards, manufactured with an expanded polystyrene foam core and epoxy resin, are still gaining popularity with mainstream surfing and there are far fewer available on the used surfboard market.
After you buy your first longboard, check out our longboard surfing guide for some tips on how to longboard as a beginner.
What makes surfboards so expensive?
As a beginner, it’s easy to look at a surfboard and think it’s overpriced. But when you break down the materials and time that go into making a surfboard, it’s easier to understand their price tags.
Cost of surfboard materials:
- The foam core or blank is the base of the board, and the cost of the blank goes for around $50- $200.
- Resin and glass cloth are used to seal the foam core from the water. Typically, this will cost around $40-$70 for a single surfboard.
- The leash plug and fin plugs might cost around $40.
Keep in mind, these prices vary greatly depending on the length of the board, and the cost of materials in the shapers area. In total, before any labor costs, you’re looking at a minimum of $130-$300 for the basic materials of a surfboard. Don’t forget all the tools, workspace, and expertise that also go into shaping surfboards.
How much should you spend on your first surfboard?
Unless you’ve got money to burn, you don’t need to spend thousands on your first surfboard.
For beginners buying a surfboard, used is often the best way to go for many reasons. First off, beginner surfers often progress quickly and might want to try different types of boards as they progress.
It’s also no secret that beginners are often a little clumsy with their first boards. While you’re learning the sport, both you and your surfboard might get a little beat up, resulting in dings and damages to the board. It’s always a good idea to find an affordable foam surfboard to start, and then invest money in a quality board after learning the ins and outs of surfing.
Popular surfboard brands and their costs
So, how much are surfboards according to each brand? Just like car models, different surfboard shapers are considered more high-end than others, and are priced accordingly. Let’s look at some of the most popular surf brands and their surfboard prices:
Channel Islands
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Channel Islands has a range of products, but you won’t find a new board for less than $300. Their classic 6’6” fun board costs $315. If you move up to a 7’ soft top, you’re looking at $325. In general, most of the surfboards will fall into the $500 to $750 range. Many of their options revolve around higher-end materials, which drive the price up.
Their most costly surfboards are their 10’ CI Log models. This traditional longboard is a collaboration between the shop and renowned surfer Devon Howard. This gorgeous PU longboard with a polyester resin will cost you $1750 without the fin included.
Carton
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Here in Costa Rica, Carton is one of the popular local surfboard brands you’ll see in the water. Carton is a local Costa Rican shaper located in Jaco, and he shapes an excellent mix of PU shortboards, funboards, and longboards. His surfboards are very affordable too, starting at $450 for a brand new shortboard.
Imported surfboards are very expensive in Costa Rica, so purchasing a Carton board is a great way to save some money and support a local Costa Rican shaper in the process.
Torq
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Torq makes incredible epoxy surfboards of all shapes and sizes, but they’re best known for their beginner surfboards. We love these boards so much that we use them in our surf camps in Costa Rica! Their longboards are extremely durable, yet very responsive with plenty of float- making them perfect boards for learning how to surf. Torq boards usually sit between $400 and $800.
NSP
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NSP is another great surfboard manufacturer that makes a variety of different surfboard shapes and sizes. We particularly love NSP for their high-quality beginner surfboards that we also use in our surf camps. Their soft top longboards are very durable, and some of the most popular rental boards in the world. Prices for NSP boards range from $300-$900.
Randy Walker
If you are looking for a good quality custom board and are coming to Pavones, you should talk to Randy Walker, one of the old time expats living in the area. Randy has a surf shop and can make custom epoxy boards for around $650-$750. Epoxy is more expensive than PU, but is also more durable. Contact us if you’d like us to put you in contact with Randy.
Aventuras
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Aventuras Surf Company is the type of surf brand that pats you on the back and says, “Let’s go,” when the lineup is packed. They pride themselves on being the value choice while maintaining quality. They focus on affordable soft tops so everyone can experience the love of surfing.
All their boards are foamies and the range is tight. All their boards cost between $300 and $400, regardless of whether it’s a fun board or a longboard.
Firewire
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Firewire Surfboards is an international surf brand specializing in durable EPS surfboards. Firewire shortboards typically cost between $875 and $965, mid lengths run for $825- $1,000+, and longboards will cost you $1,100-$1,500.
Firewire is famous for their technology, sustainability, and incredibly durable surfboards.
Rusty
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Rusty Surfboards offers primarily high performance PU shortboards, but they also offer a few longboards. Most of their shortboards fall in the $750 range, with the exception of a few specialty picks over $1100.
Takayama
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Donald Takayama was a Hawaiian professional surfer and is now a professional shaper specializing in beautifully shaped and glass longboards and mid-lengths. Takayama is a very high end surfboard brand, with his surfboard prices ranging from $1,500-$2,500.
Pyzel
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Pyzel is one of the biggest surfboard suppliers in the world, and you can find just about anything in their surfboard catalog, whether you’re looking for foam boards, guns, longboards, or shortboards (their specialty). You can expect to pay about $700 to $900 for most Pyzel surfboards- foamies are much cheaper, and longboards are on the pricier side.
Salt Gypsy
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Salt Gypsy surf boards are not only fun to look at but also very fairly priced. Salt Gypsy surfboards are made with the female surfer in mind, and boast fun designs and beautiful colors with performance-packed technology. Their longboard, The Dusty, is a PU board that costs $930 USD. Their Mid Tide, which has a fun floral print, will cost just over $500. But for those who are looking for something to rip, The Shorebird is a PU option that will cost $610.
Catch Surf
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Catch Surf is one of the biggest foam surfboard suppliers carrying lines like Odysea and Wave Bandit. Catch Surf is unique in that they strive to make surfing affordable for everyone, with foam surfboards ranging from $200-$500.
Sharp Eye
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Sharp Eye Surfboards specializes in top of the line high performance shortboards. If you’re looking for a surfboard you can really rip on, Sharp Eye is a safe bet. Their surf team is led by two time WSL champion, Filipe Toledo, which truly sings to the caliber of Sharp Eye Surfboards.
Most Sharp Eye Surfboards are in the $700-$900 range, although their brand new Carbon EPS line sits closer to $1,000 per board.
Where to buy new surfboards
There are several options for buying new surfboards today. If you live in a place where it’s easy to have surfboards shipped to you, you can order from online warehouses that can ship surfboards directly to your home!
However, the best option for buying new surfboards is to head to one of your local surf shops. This allows you to feel the surfboard, compare prices, ask questions, and support local businesses.
Another great option for buying a new surfboard is to go to your local surfboard shaper. If you surf locally, local shapers may know the best board for the type of surf you’ll encounter in your area. They can also customize a board perfectly to suit your unique style as a surfer! If you’re looking to purchase a truly unique, new surfboard, a hand-shaped board is the way to go- especially for longboards.
Where to buy used boards
Buying a used surfboard is never a bad idea. Some surf shops may have customers who returned their boards after use because it wasn’t a good fit. This is a great opportunity to buy a good surfboard at a discounted price.
It also never hurts to check Facebook if you aren’t finding any luck with your local surf shops. Many surfers look to sell their own surfboards when they are advancing to a new one, or trying to find the right board for their riding style. The same can be said when checking out Craigslist. Just be sure to check the board in person to ensure that it is in good condition.
How to buy a used board
When shopping for a used board, reach out to the seller and arrange a time to meet up and see the surfboard for yourself. If you’re a beginner surfer, it’s a good idea to bring along a friend who’s more experienced with surfing to inspect the board with you.
Before meeting, ask the seller to remove wax and any stickers from the board so you can check it for dings. Be sure to also use your hands to feel along the length of the board, including the rails, tail, and nose to make sure there aren’t any hidden dings or cracks.
Also be sure to lift the board up and make sure it isn’t too heavy- a sign the board might be waterlogged.
If the surfboard appears to be in good condition, and you like it, make your offer and enjoy your new (to you) surfboard!
A good surfboard is only part of the picture. Check out our gear guide for more important surf gear you might want/need.
How much do surfboards cost: Final thoughts
When answering the question of how much does a surfboard cost, it really depends on the type of surfboard! Epoxy longboards are going to be the most expensive, followed by PU longboards, Epoxy shortboards, PU shortboards, and then foam surfboards are the most affordable.
If you shop the used market, you can find a good used foam surfboard for as little as $50-$100, which greatly lowers the barrier to entry for surfing.
If you’re looking to buy a brand new surfboard for your first board, the price of surfboards will typically fall in the $400-$800 range unless you opt for a premium surfboard.
We hope this post has been helpful, and if you’re curious about diving deeper into surfing, we’d love to have you at one of our beachfront surfing retreats in Costa Rica.