One of the biggest mistakes I made learning to surf was riding the wrong boards for WAY too long.
I started surfing at 28 on the Gold Coast and got pushed onto tiny high-performance boards almost immediately.
At one point I was riding boards around 23 litres.
And honestly?
It made surfing:
- harder
- slower
- more frustrating
than it needed to be.
I could paddle well.
I could get out the back.
But actually catching waves consistently?
Different story.
I spent years struggling in crowded lineups thinking:
👉 maybe I just wasn’t good enough.
Then I finally started riding boards with more volume.
And everything changed.
More waves.
More confidence.
More fun.
Faster progression.
That’s why I wrote this guide.
Not as some pro surfer pushing tiny shortboards…
…but as someone who learnt later in life, struggled through the mental side of surfing, and eventually realised:
👉 the right board changes everything.
Especially for women learning later in life.
Quick Picks: Best Surfboards for Older Women
| Board | Best For | Why I Like It |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Gypsy Mid Tide | Best Overall Progression Board | Easy paddling, confidence-building, still manoeuvrable |
| Modern Highline 2.0 | Best Transition to Shortboard | Extra volume without feeling like a huge board |
| Gnaraloo Flounder Pounder | Best Beginner Softboard | Safe, forgiving, wave-catching machine |
| Salt Gypsy Dusty | Best Longboard for Cruising | Smooth glide, relaxed surfing, catches everything |
| Cynthia Rowley x Salt Gypsy Dusty | Best Premium Longboard | Stylish, confidence-building, beautiful cruiser |
Jump to Section
- Why Most Women Struggle To Progress
- What Volume Should Older Women Ride?
- Best Softboard for Beginners
- Best Mid-Length for Progression
- Best Transition Board
- Best Longboard for Women
- How Wave Type Affects Board Choice
- Final Advice
🌊 Why Choosing the Right Board Matters More Than You Think
If you’re learning to surf — or getting back into it — your board choice will either:
👉 fast-track your progress
👉 or hold you back for years
And I’ve seen both.
I’ve also experienced both.
A lot of people think they need more confidence when sometimes they simply need equipment that supports progression.
👉 Read: Why Negative Thoughts Get Worse While Surfing
🧠 What Is the Best Surfboard for Older Women?
The best surfboard for older women isn’t the smallest or most advanced board.
👉 It’s the one that helps you catch more waves, build confidence, and stay consistent.
That usually means:
- more volume
- easier paddling
- more stability
Because the reality is:
👉 more waves = faster progress
Before choosing a specific board, it’s worth understanding why certain boards suit different surfers. Read my full Ultimate Surfboard Selection Guide if you’re still deciding what type of board fits your goals.
🔑 Why Most Women Struggle To Progress in Surfing
A lot of women think they’re struggling because:
- they started too late
- they’re not strong enough
- they’re not naturally talented
- or they’re “just bad at surfing”
Honestly?
Most of the time that’s not the real problem.
The biggest issue I see — both from my own experience and years of surf coaching — is that women are often learning on boards and in environments that make surfing WAY harder than it needs to be.
I did this myself for years.
I was riding boards that were far too small because I thought that’s what “real surfers” rode.
Tiny shortboards.
Low volume.
Hard paddling.
Hard positioning.
Hard everything.
And because I could technically get out the back and occasionally catch waves, I thought:
👉 the struggle was just part of surfing.
But looking back now?
I wasn’t giving myself a fair chance to actually learn.
And honestly, confidence in the lineup is a much bigger part of surfing than most people realise.
👉 Read: Why Women Feel Intimidated in the Surf Lineup
The Confidence Problem Nobody Talks About
One of the biggest differences I notice with women learning later in life is that confidence plays a massive role in progression.
Especially in crowded lineups.
A lot of women:
- hesitate on waves
- pull back when someone else paddles
- worry about getting in the way
- feel intimidated by aggressive energy
- or feel embarrassed falling off
That hesitation affects everything.
Because surfing rewards commitment.
And when you’re second-guessing yourself constantly:
👉 you miss waves
👉 you paddle late
👉 you burn energy
👉 and progression slows down fast
Then people think:
“I’m just not improving.”
When really:
👉 they’re simply not getting enough good waves.
Why Wave Count Matters More Than Performance
This is something I wish someone explained to me earlier.
The surfers progressing fastest usually aren’t the people riding the coolest boards.
They’re the ones:
- catching the most waves
- spending the most time actually surfing
- and building confidence through repetition
That’s why the right board matters so much.
More volume means:
- easier paddling
- earlier takeoffs
- more stability
- less exhaustion
- and usually… way more fun
And fun matters.
Because if every surf session feels frustrating or defeating:
👉 most people eventually quit.
The Mistake I See Women Make Constantly
A lot of women go too small too early because they want to:
- look like they know what they’re doing
- avoid oversized beginner boards
- or progress faster
Ironically:
👉 it usually slows progression massively.
Especially in weaker Australian waves where paddle power and wave count matter a lot more than high-performance surfing.
I honestly think many women would improve FAR faster if they spent more time on:
- mid lengths
- hybrids
- and forgiving higher-volume boards
Instead of trying to force themselves onto tiny shortboards too early.
The Goal Isn’t to Look Like a Surfer
The goal is:
👉 to actually enjoy surfing.
To feel:
- confident in the ocean
- comfortable paddling out
- excited for sessions
- and connected to the waves
Because once that happens:
👉 progression comes naturally.
And honestly?
Most women surf better when they stop trying to surf like everyone else.
🔄 The Turning Point (What Changed Everything for me)
Years later, on my first trip to Indonesia, I switched to a board with more volume.
Not huge… just slightly bigger.
And everything changed.
Suddenly:
- I could paddle into waves easier
- I was catching more waves
- I had more time standing
- my confidence improved fast
👉 That’s when I realised:
The small board hadn’t been helping me…
👉 it had been holding me back
🧍♀️ What I See as a Coach (Especially With Women)
The biggest physical challenges I see are:
💪 Upper Body Strength
Paddling and popping up consistently.
⚖️ Balance & Stability
Especially once conditions get choppy or crowded.
🧘 Flexibility & Mobility
Getting your feet underneath you smoothly and moving comfortably on the board.
If your board is too small, all of this becomes harder.
👉 The right board removes a lot of unnecessary struggle early on.
🧠 The Big Question: What Do You Actually Want From Surfing?
Before choosing a board, you need to be honest about this:
👉 What kind of surfer do you want to become?
Do you want:
- easy, flowing long rides?
👉 longboard direction
Or:
- faster turns and performance surfing?
👉 shortboard direction
There’s no right answer.
But your board should match your goal.
🏄 My Surfboard Recommendations for Older Women
Quick Picks: Best Surfboards for Older Women
| Board | Best For | Skill Level | Surf Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gnaraloo Flounder Pounder | Nervous beginners | Complete Beginner | Confidence & wave count |
| Salt Gypsy Mid Tide | Best overall progression | Beginner–Intermediate | Smooth progression |
| Modern Highline 2.0 | Transitioning toward shortboards | Advanced Beginner–Intermediate | More performance without losing volume |
| Salt Gypsy Dusty | Longboarding & flowing style | Intermediate | Cruisy longboarding |
| Cynthia Rowley x Salt Gypsy Dusty | Stylish lifestyle longboarding | Intermediate | Stylish cruising & glide |
🟢 Best Softboard for Beginners
Gnaraloo Flounder Pounder
If you’re completely new to surfing, nervous in the water, or rebuilding confidence after years away from surfing, this is honestly the kind of board I’d recommend starting on.
One thing I like about the Flounder Pounder is that it doesn’t feel like one of those giant beginner softboards that become frustrating after a few weeks.
It still has:
- heaps of stability
- loads of paddle power
- and plenty of volume
…but feels more fun and manoeuvrable than many oversized learner boards.
That means:
👉 you can actually keep progressing on it instead of instantly wanting to upgrade.
For women learning later in life, wave count matters more than almost anything early on.
And this board helps massively with that.
Why I Like It
- Soft construction = more confidence
- Easier paddling
- Forgiving takeoffs
- Safer around other beginners
- Builds confidence quickly
Best For
- Complete beginners
- Nervous surfers
- Women rebuilding confidence
- Smaller waves
- Learning ocean awareness
👉Check price and sizes here
🟡 Best Overall Progression Board
Salt Gypsy Mid Tide
Honestly?
If I could go back and choose one type of board earlier in my surfing journey, it would probably be something like this.
The Mid Tide sits in that sweet spot between:
- easy wave catching
- confidence
- paddle power
- and real progression
It’s the kind of board that still lets you catch heaps of waves…
…but actually teaches you proper positioning and flow at the same time.
This is where I think many women progress fastest.
Not on giant beginner boards forever…
and not on tiny shortboards too early.
Right in the middle.
I also think mid lengths suit the kind of surfing many women actually enjoy:
- smoother surfing
- flow
- confidence
- easier paddling
- less frantic energy
Especially in weaker Australian waves.
Why I Like It
- Great wave count
- Easier paddling
- Builds confidence fast
- Still manoeuvrable
- More forgiving than shortboards
Best For
- Beginner to intermediate surfers
- Women wanting long-term progression
- Returning surfers
- Smaller or weaker waves
- Women learning later in life
👉 Check price and sizes here
🔵 Best Transition Board Into Smaller Boards
Modern Highline 2.0
This is the type of board I wish I discovered earlier.
One of the hardest jumps in surfing is going from:
- bigger forgiving boards
to - smaller performance boards
Most people make the jump too early.
And suddenly:
- wave count drops
- confidence drops
- frustration skyrockets
The Highline 2.0 bridges that gap really well.
It still carries extra volume and paddle power…
but feels much more responsive and performance-oriented than a traditional beginner board.
So you can start learning:
- tighter turns
- better rail control
- faster surfing
WITHOUT making surfing miserable again.
That’s a huge difference.
Why I Like It
- Extra volume without feeling oversized
- Easier transition toward performance surfing
- More forgiving paddling
- Better wave entry
- Builds confidence in steeper waves
Best For
- Advanced beginners
- Intermediate surfers
- Women wanting to shortboard eventually
- Faster progression
👉 Check price and sizes here
🌊 Best Longboard for Flow & Confidence
Salt Gypsy Dusty
This board feels completely different to frantic shortboard surfing.
The best way I can describe it is:
👉 smooth.
The Dusty is designed for flowing surfing rather than aggressive performance surfing.
And honestly?
That style suits a LOT of women.
Especially if your goal is:
- relaxed surfing
- glide
- stylish trimming
- easier wave catching
- and simply enjoying being in the ocean more
Longboards can completely rebuild confidence because they allow you to:
- catch waves earlier
- slow everything down
- and spend more time actually riding waves instead of fighting for them.
That said…
I do think it’s important to decide what kind of surfer you ultimately want to become.
Because while longboards are amazing in softer rolling waves…
they become harder in:
- steeper
- hollower
- faster waves
Which is why I personally think many women benefit from trying mid lengths as well before fully committing one direction.
Why I Like It
- Beautiful glide
- Easy paddling
- Confidence-building
- Stylish feel
- Excellent wave count
Best For
- Longboarding
- Smaller waves
- Stylish cruising
- Women wanting relaxed surfing
👉 [Check price and sizes here]
🧠 My Biggest Advice
Don’t just buy the board you think looks the coolest.
Buy the board that:
- gets you more waves
- builds confidence
- and makes you WANT to keep surfing.
That’s what actually improves your surfing long term.
👉 Check price and sizes here
✨ Best Premium Lifestyle Longboard
Cynthia Rowley x Salt Gypsy Dusty
This is more of a lifestyle-style recommendation…
but honestly, I think that matters too.
Especially for women.
Sometimes loving your board makes you WANT to surf more.
And that matters.
This board keeps the same smooth flowing longboard feel as the standard Dusty…
but with a more premium aesthetic and beautiful design.
It’s the kind of board that suits surfers who genuinely love:
- ocean lifestyle
- slower surfing
- stylish glide
- and enjoying the whole experience around surfing.
Why I Like It
- Beautiful aesthetic
- Smooth longboard feel
- Confidence-building
- Easy paddling
- Stylish cruiser
Best For
- Lifestyle surfers
- Longboarding
- Stylish flowing surfing
- Smaller clean waves
👉 Check price and sizes here
🟢 Longboards (Great — But Not for Everyone)
Longboards are:
- stable
- easy to paddle
- great for catching waves
They work best in:
- smaller, slower waves
- clean, rolling conditions
👉 If that’s your style, they’re perfect
But if your goal is to shortboard?
👉 staying on a longboard too long can slow your transition
Longboarding has it’s own special set of skill to hone in on. If this is your direction have a look here.
🔴 Shortboards (Harder, But Not the Enemy)
Shortboards:
- require more precision
- need better positioning
- are harder to paddle
Starting too small (like I did)?
👉 makes everything harder than it needs to be
But avoiding them completely?
👉 also doesn’t prepare you properly
⚖️ The Best Approach (From My Experience)
If you want to shortboard:
👉 don’t start on a tiny board
👉 don’t stay on a massive board either
Instead:
👉 Choose something slightly bigger than your goal board
This is where most advice gets it wrong.
You don’t need the biggest board possible.
👉 You need a board that still lets you learn real surfing skills like:
- paddling into waves
- positioning
- duck diving
That’s why going slightly bigger — not massively bigger — works best.
Think:
- mid-lengths
- funboards
- step-up in volume
This lets you:
- catch waves
- build confidence
- AND learn real surfing skills
Your board choice becomes even more important when you’re preparing for a surf trip.
👉 Read: How to Prepare for Your First Surf Trip
🧍♀️ What I See as a Coach (Especially With Women)
The biggest challenges I see are:
💪 Upper Body Strength
- paddling
- popping up – i have a whole article on this.
⚖️ Balance & Stability
- staying on the board – get your mobility and flexibility sorted here.
- controlling movement
🧘 Flexibility
- getting feet under you
- smooth pop-ups
👉 If your board is too small, all of this becomes harder
🌊 How Wave Type Affects Your Surfboard Choice
Not all boards work in all waves.
👉 This is something most beginners overlook.
For example:
- smaller, softer waves → need more volume
- faster, punchier waves → need more control
A longboard in slow waves works perfectly.
But in steeper, faster waves?
👉 it can feel slow and hard to control.
👉 Choosing a board that matches your local conditions will speed up your progress massively.
If you need help reading waves have a look here where i dive deep.
Smaller, softer waves (like QLD)
👉 more volume helps
For a beginners guide to Aussie waves have a look here.
Faster, punchier waves
👉 too much board becomes harder to control
👉 A longboard in fast, steep waves?
Can feel:
- awkward
- hard to fit into the wave
📏 What Volume Should Older Women Ride?
This depends on:
- your fitness
- confidence
- experience
- and local waves
But honestly?
Most women learning later in life should ride MORE volume than they think.
Especially early on.
More volume helps with:
- paddling
- wave catching
- stability
- confidence
- and reducing exhaustion
As a rough guide:
| Skill Level | Suggested Volume Range |
|---|---|
| Complete Beginner | 45L–70L+ |
| Beginner | 40L–60L |
| Advanced Beginner | 38L–50L |
| Intermediate | Depends more on goals and wave type |
This isn’t about ego.
It’s about:
👉 catching more waves and progressing faster.
🏄♀️ What I Would Do If I Started Again
If I went back to 28 knowing what I know now:
👉 I wouldn’t start on a tiny board
👉 and I wouldn’t stay on a huge one forever
I’d choose:
👉 something with enough volume to catch waves
👉 but small enough to develop real skills
Because the goal is simple:
👉 more waves + more time standing = faster progress
🧭 Simple Surfboard Direction Guide
Still unsure which direction to go?
Here’s the easiest way to think about it.
🟢 Choose a Longboard If:
- you love smooth flowing surfing
- mostly surf smaller softer waves
- want maximum wave count
- care more about glide than aggressive turns
🟡 Choose a Mid-Length If:
- you want easier progression
- still want manoeuvrability
- surf weaker Australian waves
- want the best balance between fun and progression
🔵 Choose a Transition / Hybrid Board If:
- your long-term goal is shortboarding
- you want tighter turns eventually
- but still need help with wave count and paddling
This is honestly where I think most women learning later in life progress fastest.
🌊 Final Thought
The best board isn’t:
- the biggest
- or the smallest
👉 It’s the one that lets you:
- catch waves
- build confidence
- and keep progressing
Because that’s what actually makes you a better surfer.
❓ FAQ
What size surfboard should older women use?
Older women learning to surf should use a board with enough volume to make paddling and wave catching easier — without going so large that it slows long-term progression.
What is the best surfboard for beginners?
A board with more volume that helps you catch waves easily — but not so big that it stops your progression long term.
Should beginners start on a longboard?
If your goal is relaxed, cruising surfing — yes.
If your goal is shortboarding — use something in between.
Is a small board better for learning?
Not usually.
👉 It reduces wave count, which slows progression
What matters more: board size or skill?
At the beginning:
👉 board choice matters more than skill
How do I know if my board is too small?
If you:
- struggle to catch waves
- feel unstable constantly
- rarely get to your feet
👉 it’s probably too small
🔗 INTERNAL LINKS TO ADD
- Pop-up article
- Older surfers article
- Comeback article
- Australia article
🔥 OPTIONAL NEXT STEP
This article sets up:
👉 “Best Surfboards for Beginners (Based on Your Goals)”
That’s your:
💰 money article
🎯 perfect next move
If you want, I’ll build that next:
👉 just say “next money article”
You have not enough Humanizer words left. Upgrade your Surfer plan.