The Best Surfboards for Kids: From Little Groms to Competitive Surfers

Last updated: March 2026

What’s the best surfboard for my child? This is one of the MOST common questions people ask me! As a surf coach and mum who’s helped countless kids progress from foamie first-timers to confident shortboarders, I get asked this question all the time!  The best surfboards for kids are a bit different from the adult version (how to choose the right surfboard for adults) for three reasons: (1) kids are smaller, (2) kids usually progress faster, (3) to me, the most important thing is that a child feels safe and confident. 

Whether your kid is just starting out or already ripping down the line, choosing the right surfboard can make a huge difference in whether they love surfing and improve or hate it and quit.  Not surprisingly, teaching your kid to surf can be tough, but it gets easier if you understand the correct equipment for their level.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know — including surfboard sizing by age and weight, the best starter surfboards, intermediate grom surfboards, and performance boards for kids ready to compete. I’ve also included affiliate links (Australia + USA) so you can shop trusted surfboards for kids that I’ve used or seen work for other kids in our community.

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Why Choosing the Right Surfboard Matters for Kids

The right surfboard can:

• Boost confidence
• Help kids catch more waves
• Improve their technique
• Make surfing more fun and less frustrating

A board that’s too small, too narrow, or too advanced will discourage your grom. On the other hand, a stable, forgiving surfboard for kids suited to their size and level will fast track them to improvement and #makesurfingfunagain, which basically equates to less whining and heartache for you.  

Kids Surfboard Size Chart (By Age and Weight)

I normally disagree with most surfboard size charts or calculators.  For adults, they often recommend boards that are way too low volume for average surfers, especially small ones.  For kids, I see the opposite.  The boards on the size chart are way too big.  Give a 121cm/4 foot tall seven year old a 5’6” and watch him or her struggle to turn or duck-dive.  The guidance is off.   

(See chart above)

What to Look For in a Kids’ Surfboard

When shopping for the best kids surfboards, keep these features in mind:

• Volume: Higher volume = more float = easier paddling and catching waves.
• Width: Wider boards are more stable.
• Soft-top or hard-top?: Start with a soft-top for safety and stability, then progress to epoxy or PU boards.
• Durability: Kids can be rough on boards, we’ve fixed about 166 dings from them hitting each other while paddling out  — stick with softtops or second hand fiberglass boards for the first few years. 
• Tail shape: Squash and swallow tails are ideal for kids due to their manoeuvrability and release.  

Best Surfboards for Kids: Beginners (Ages 4–8)

Your child is ready for a beginner board if they:

• Are new to surfing
• Need help with balance and paddling
• Prefer riding broken waves or small whitewash

My son is not quite as coordinated as my daughter and has been riding a Softech Roller for a while to help him perfect his balance before he starts riding a smaller board.  This really is the perfect starter surfboard for little kids because it is so stable, but not so big that it is hard to carry or handle in the water. 

The Ocean & Earth Bug line has the same attributes: stability, durability, and ease for parents pushing kids into white-water waves.  

Top surfboards for beginner kids: 

Softech Roller 6’0” – Perfect First Board

• Soft-top, high volume, forgiving design
• Built-in carry handle for little arms
• Safe soft fins
• Shop now from Softech Australia | Shop in the US
• Shop via Backcountry (USA)

Ocean & Earth Bug Mini Softboard 4’8” – 5’6”

• Durable, fun designs
• Great for toddlers to early primary school kids
• Buy from SurfStitch AU | Try Amazon US

These are the best kids’ foam surfboards when just starting — they minimise injury risk and maximise fun.

Best Surfboards for Intermediate Groms (Ages 6–10)

Your child may be ready to move on from their beginner board if they:

• Can pop up and ride whitewash to shore consistently
• Are starting to angle their takeoff
• Can paddle out and catch green waves occasionally

 Softech Filipe Toledo Signature Softboard 5’0” or 5’6” 

• This is our current favourite beginner plus softtop for little kids 
• These boards are super stable with enough rocker to keep them from pearling, but they are also highly manoeuvrable when they start to want to turn or hold a line on a green wave. 
• Shop via Softech Australia

Mick Fanning Little Marley Softboard 5’2” or 5’4”

• Compact, high-performance twin for small groms ready to carve and turn
• Wide outline with volume under the chest for easy paddling and speed
• Buy from Mick Fanning Softboards (Aus)

Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto FutureFlex 5’4” 

• A hybrid shortboard that blends stability and high performance
• Works in a variety of conditions
• Buy from Hayden Shapes (Aus) | Backcountry (USA)

These grom boards offer a forgiving ride while helping young surfers work on trimming, turning, and wave selection.

First Fiberglass SurfBoards for Advanced-Intermediate Groms

Ready for a more performance-oriented board? Your kid might be ready if they:

• Surf 2–5 times per week
• Paddle confidently and navigate the lineup
• Can perform bottom turns and cutbacks on green waves

Chilli Mini Bird 4’10” – 5’5”

• Performance-focused epoxy board made for groms
• Paddles like a softy, performs like a shortboard
• Buy via Chilli Surfboards Australia

Channel Islands Rocket Wide (Grom Edition)

• Short, wide, fast — great for smaller frames
• Loved by grom competitors and weekend warriors alike
• Buy from CI or check Backcountry US | Shop at Onboard Store AU

Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto (Epoxy Version)

• Lightweight epoxy construction for speed, flow, and control
• A great transition board for groms stepping up to performance surfing
• Buy from Natural Necessity Surf Shop (Aus)

These boards are ideal surfboards for kids who want to step beyond the basics into more technical surfing.

Best Surfboards for kids who Compete: Advanced Surfboards for Kids

If your child is entering surf comps or pushing boundaries every session, they may be ready for a high-performance surfboard:

• Surfing every week in a variety of conditions
• Working on vertical turns, snaps, and airs
• Competing or aiming to compete

Sharp Eye Synergy Grom

• Designed for explosive surfing
• Super lightweight for airs and fast turns
• Available via Sharp Eye

Channel Islands Ci-Pro Grom

• Versatile, high-performance all-rounder
• Used by junior comp surfers around the world
• Buy from Channel Islands (Aus) | Channel Islands (USA)

Xero Gravity Youth by JS Surfboards 

• Built for speed and flow
• Light glassing, good for small waves and comp heats
• Shop via JS Surfboards (Aus)
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Tail shape tip: For most kids, a squash or swallow tail is preferable to a round tail. These give extra release and manoeuvrability, especially for lighter surfers.

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Our Experience: A Timeline of Teaching My Daughter to Surf

I thought sharing our journey might help some parents understand the timeline of teaching their kids to surf. For me, it has always been about not pushing too hard and always making sure she was comfortable and felt safe. I think ages 7-9 are the hardest because they want to surf independently, but often aren’t strong enough to do it all on their own. All of the kids were still being pushed in or having a parent in the water at this time. Once they turned 9 or 10, the parent assist dropped away, and almost all of her cohort was surfing unassisted!

Surfing at Ages 2-5:

• Swimming lessons
• Occasionally caught white water waves, often on my back, while I rode the board on my stomach.

Surfing at Age 6:

• Kept up swimming lessons
• Starting skateboarding
• Gets a Mick Fanning soft-top for her 6th birthday and starts surfing more often at a gentle break. I would wear fins, duck dive her and push her into soft green waves.

Surfing at Age 7:

• Kept up swimming lessons
• Gets a 4’10” Hypto Krypto Epoxy board for her birthday
• I still wore fins, duck dived her and pushed her into green waves for the most part.

Surfing at Age 8:

• Kept up swimming lessons
• Surfing more independently, but really struggling with duck dives
• Still riding the Hypto Krypto, which is higher volume
• At Boardriders, I would swim out with fins on to push her in and duck dive her,

Surfing at Age 9:

• Kept up swimming lessons
• Gets a 2nd hand 4’10” shortboard
• Surfs independently in smaller conditions, but struggles when it is bigger, so often gets pushed in
• In Boardriders, I would still assist her, either wearing fins or paddling out with her to push in, depending on conditions.

Surfing at Age 10:

• Kept up swimming lessons
• Gets a 4’8″ custom board
• Surfing in Boardriders and regional contests
• Is comfortable paddling out in surf from 2 feet to 4 feet independently and catching her own waves

Fins for Kids: When to Level Up

• Soft plastic fins are ideal for beginners and early intermediates. They reduce the risk of injury and are compatible with most kids’ foam surfboards.
• Fibreglass or performance fins provide more speed, drive, and hold in turns. Switch to these when your child is surfing green waves confidently and starting to carve.  Most young kids need “grom” sized fins and won’t switch to the small fins until they are 12 or 13. 
• Use thruster setups (three fins) for most kids’ boards — they offer a good balance of control and speed.

Pro tip: If you’re transitioning to real fins, start with softer flex models before going to full carbon or glass fins.

Final Tips for Parents

• Don’t size down too fast — stay with volume until the child is truly ready.
• Soft-tops aren’t just for beginners — modern softboards like Mick Fanning’s and Softech rip!
• Buy used if you can — great for trying different shapes without the big price tag.
• Keep it fun — confidence and stoke matter more than turning performance at a young age.
  Want to take your kid’s surf journey further? Book surf lessons or fun beach activities with GetYourGuide, trusted options for all ages in top coastal destinations.
  
  Looking for surf lessons or family-friendly activities near your next surf trip? Check options on Viator for trusted tours and local experiences.

Want More Personalised Advice?

Drop your questions in the comments or message me via Sea Hearts Surf Instagram. I’m happy to recommend a board based on your child’s age, height, goals and where you surf!