The board you ride matters more than almost anything else in surfing. The wrong board will make you struggle; the right one will have you catching waves in minutes. Here's how to choose — whether you're booking with us or renting anywhere else.
The golden rule
More volume = more forgiveness. Volume (measured in litres) determines how much the board floats. More float means easier paddling, easier wave catching, and more stability. Beginners need much more volume than they think.
The single most common mistake we see is intermediate surfers renting boards that are too small. If in doubt, go bigger.
Board types
Soft top (foamie) — 7'0" to 9'0"
Best for: Complete beginners and anyone surfing for the first time.
Soft tops are foam boards with a soft deck that won't hurt you when you fall on them (and you will fall). They're wide, thick, and incredibly stable. They paddle easily, catch waves early, and give you the best possible chance of standing up on your first session.
There's no shame in riding a foamie. Plenty of experienced surfers ride them for fun. They're not "training wheels" — they're the right tool for the conditions.
When to ride one: Your first time surfing. Small, mellow waves. Family sessions where fun matters more than performance. Any time you want maximum wave count with minimum effort.
We include 8'0" soft tops in our quiver and they're our most requested board for first-time visitors to Aljezur.
Funboard / mini-mal — 7'0" to 8'0"
Best for: Intermediate surfers who can catch green waves consistently.
Funboards are the bridge between foam and performance. They're hard-topped fibreglass boards with enough volume to paddle and catch waves easily, but with more shape and rail design to allow turning and progression.
A 7'6" funboard is the sweet spot for most intermediates on the Costa Vicentina. It handles the beach break conditions well, paddles into waves with authority, and allows you to start working on turns and cutbacks.
When to ride one: You've surfed 10+ times, you can pop up reliably, and you want to start progressing your technique. Also excellent for experienced surfers who haven't surfed in a while and want something forgiving for the first few sessions.
Shortboard — 5'8" to 6'6"
Best for: Advanced surfers who surf regularly and have strong paddle fitness.
Shortboards are low-volume, high-performance boards designed for speed, manoeuvres, and critical sections of the wave. They require strong paddling, precise timing, and good wave selection.
If you're bringing your own board or you surf multiple times a week at home, a shortboard makes sense. But if there's any doubt about your level, go with a funboard — you'll catch more waves and have more fun.
When to ride one: You surf regularly (weekly+), you can consistently bottom turn and generate speed, and you're comfortable in overhead waves.
Longboard — 9'0" to 9'6"
Best for: All levels, especially for small, mellow conditions.
Longboards are elegant, stable, and perfect for cruisy, trimming rides. They excel in small surf where shortboards and funboards struggle. A skilled longboarder can catch waves that nobody else can.
When to ride one: Small summer days. Arrifana at mid-tide on a gentle swell. Any time you want to catch as many waves as possible and cruise.
How we match boards to surfers
When you book with us, we ask about your experience level and the kind of surfing you want to do. Here's roughly how we think about it:
| Your level | Typical board | Why | |-----------|--------------|-----| | Never surfed | 8'0" soft top | Maximum stability and wave count | | Surfed 1-5 times | 7'6" soft top or funboard | Still forgiving, more response | | Catch green waves | 7'0"-7'6" funboard | Time to progress technique | | Regular surfer | 6'6"-7'0" funboard or shortboard | Depends on conditions and preference | | Advanced | 6'0"-6'6" shortboard | You know what you want |
We also factor in the conditions. A 4ft swell at Arrifana in autumn calls for a different board than 2ft summer waves at Monte Clérigo — even for the same surfer.
Can I swap boards mid-stay?
Yes. If you're on our Extended Stay package (2 weeks), board swaps are included. For weekly rentals, just ask — if we have the board available, we're happy to swap it out.
This happens more often than you'd think. Someone arrives thinking they want a shortboard, realises the conditions (or their fitness after months off) call for more volume, and we drop by with a funboard. No drama, no charge.
Our quiver
We carry a range of boards suited to the Costa Vicentina conditions:
- Soft tops (8'0") — the go-to beginner board
- Funboards (7'0" - 7'6") — the versatile all-rounder
- Performance funboards (6'8" - 7'0") — for progressing intermediates
- Shortboards (5'10" - 6'4") — for experienced surfers
- Longboards (9'0" - 9'4") — for classic styling and small-wave fun
Every board comes with a leash and wax. See our full gear list and pricing.
Not sure which board? Tell us your level and we'll recommend the right one. It's what we do.