24 September 2026 · 2 min read

Which surfboard should you choose? Foam, Malibu, longboard or shortboard

The right board makes all the difference between a frustrating session and a memorable one. Our simple advice to choose according to your level and the waves of the day.

There is no “best board”, only the board suited to your level, your build and the waves of the day. Here are the main families we offer for rental, and who they suit.

The foam board: to learn with confidence

Large, thick, very buoyant, and covered in foam: it's ideal. It paddles easily, pops up early on the wave, and doesn't hurt if you fall. It's the board for your first session and your first waves standing up. In Tahiti, it's perfect on gentle beach breaks like Ahonu.

The Malibu: easy and versatile

Between a longboard and a shortboard, the Malibu (or mini-malibu) retains enough volume for paddling and catching waves, while becoming more maneuverable. It's the ideal board for progressing from beginner to intermediate level, and a reliable choice for vacationers who surf a few times a year.

The longboard: style and glide, even on small waves.

The longboard: glide and style

Long, stable and fast to paddle, it turns small waves into long glides. It takes a little technique to turn, but offers unique sensations, and it works on days when other boards get bored.

The shortboard: to go for it

Short, thin, responsive: the board for manoeuvres and hollow waves. It requires good wave reading and efficient paddling. For experienced surfers, especially on more powerful spots like Rivermouth.

Bodyboard, skimboard and bodysurf: other ways to glide

Not keen on standing up? Bodyboarding is done lying down, fins on, and opens up very fun hollow waves. Skimboarding starts from the shore, in a few centimetres of water. And bodysurfing is pure fun: a handplane, fins, and your body as the board. All the gear is provided.