Whether you are a complete beginner looking to buy your very first surfboard or an experienced ripper looking for something a little different to add to your quiver, Softech have a board that is going to suit you.
Over the last decade Softech have become one of the leading suppliers of quality soft tops and their innovative shapes can be found on beaches from Hawaii to Ireland and everywhere in between. In this surfing gear guide we will explore some of the Softech range and help you choose the ideal board for you.
Choosing your first Softech surfboard
Softech boards come in a whole range of different shapes, sizes and colours. They are nearly all constructed from a high density EPS foam blank which is given a soft EVA wrap on the deck and a slick harder plastic on the bottom of the board. This makes them very durable and ideal for beginners because if you get a knock from your board it is softened by the EVA material.
Soft top surfboards are traditionally associated with those fun but lumbering foamie boards that you find in many surf schools. These are great for catching your first glides but their shape does not offer much performance. Softech have broken that mould by asking their in-house shapers to work with some of the world’s top surfers to create more progressive designs without sacrificing on the stability and ease of paddling found with the classic foamie school board.
When choosing a Softech surfboard the usual factors such as length, width, thickness, volume, shape and style all come into play. Check our in depth guide to choosing your surfboard for a detailed look at these.
Let’s look at some of the great board models that Softech has to offer. We’ll start with beginner focused boards before moving through intermediate and then advanced.
Starter & Beginner Surfboards
Roller
The Roller is one of our biggest selling Softech boards. The reasons for it’s popularity are many. Hand shaped with a generous outline and loads of volume. These boards are designed specifically so learners can easily paddle onto waves and jump to their feet.
The large surface area and the abundance of foam creates a very stable platform for surfers of all ages to confidently ride waves and learn the basic skills of surfing. We have the 8ft model at home and find it great for the kids when they are hacking around down our local beachie and for when we have adult guests staying that might not have much experience on a surfboard. It comes with a built-in handle that makes it much easier for even children’s shorter arms to carry the board down the beach. Soft fins come as standard, making for very safe surfing.
The Sally Fitzgibbon
Sally Fitzgibbon’s new signature model is wide, stable and easy to paddle, making it ideal for beginners having their first experience riding waves. Includes easy carry handle and soft screw in fins that make this a super safe option.
We love that she has designed a board specifically for girls and women who want to experience the fun and enjoyment of surfing.
"I’ve designed this board to be enjoyed as a beginner and help you ride your first waves. It’s also a super fun option for the more advanced riders when the waves are small."– Sally Fitzgibbons
Brainchild
The Brainchild is one the most versatile boards in the Softech fleet. A hybrid shortboard, the wide nose and tail shape performs well in all sorts of conditions. With enough volume to provide good stability, the Brainchild will be a great addition to an experienced surfer's collection, and, depending on the length you choose, will also make for the perfect board for children starting out or just starting to progress and lighter beginner adults. The secret is to go longer if you are less experienced and shorter if you already know how to surf well.
This board comes with fins using the FCS II system. With this set up the need for any screws or tool to secure the fins has been eliminated. Simply insert the front of the fin into the plug and use downward pressure to lock the fin in place.
For Improver & Intermediate Surfers
Bomber
With so much area up front, the Bomber paddles incredibly well. She glides with ease from a forward position yet will still slice a nice carve off the tail. The Bomber has a tapered tail shape with a longboard outline up front, making this board the ultimate cruiser that will flow down the line and turn on a dime. We find this board works really well for somebody who has experience on a minimal or longboard but is looking to move down sizes towards a more traditional short board length. By keeping the volume in the longboard-like nose you will still have lots of paddle power both catching waves and transitioning out the back. This high volume placed towards the nose of the board also creates a very stable platform to make pop ups easy!
Like the Branchild, the Bomber comes with FCS II fin system.
For Experienced & Advanced Riders
Mason Twin
The Mason Ho Signature Twin will open your imagination, and inject you with a dose of stoke on every wave. When it comes to the board's performance, think fast, loose and free spirited. This is definitely not a board you want to jump on without a reasonable amount of surfing experience under your belt, but for those who can, it offers incredible manoeuvrability in a soft top form. We may not all be copying Mason’s rock hopping abilities but there are definitely waves that I surf where having a board you know can stand up to a few close encounters with the reef gives serious peace of mind. This board also comes with FCS II fins and fin system as standard.
Where to buy Softech Surfboards?
As you can see Softech really do have a board design for every occasion and every level of rider! Here at Surfdock we stock the models we think will work for you – check out our Softech selection. If you have any questions or want to talk through in a little more detail choosing the correct set up for you please get in touch.
