Where to buy a Surfboard in Australia: entry level answers

by Sharee Campbell

Where Can I Buy a Surfboard?

There are generally 4 main ways people buy surfboards:

1. Local Surf Shops

Good for:

  • seeing boards in person
  • buying quickly
  • beginner soft-boards
  • accessories

Not always ideal for:

  • personalised advice
  • custom performance boards
  • understanding why a board works for you

Many retail stores carry mass-produced boards shaped for broad markets rather than your individual surfing style.


2. Online Surfboard Stores

Popular for convenience and variety.

These stores can be excellent for:

  • beginner boards
  • accessories
  • known board models
  • comparing dimensions

But buying online can still feel like guesswork if you or the seller don’t deeply understand:

  • volume
  • rocker
  • rails
  • fin setup
  • wave types
  • your own surfing style

3. Marketplace / Second-Hand
Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree can be good for cheap starter boards.

But beware:

  • hidden repairs
  • water damage
  • delamination
  • wrong board choice
  • buying “too advanced” too early

Many beginners accidentally buy shortboards far too small because they “look cool”.

That mistake slows progression massively.


4. Direct From a Custom Shaper (Our Recommendation)

This is where surfing changes. Instead of: “Which board should I buy?”

The better question becomes: “What board should be built for me?”

That’s why two boards with identical dimensions can still feel completely different underfoot.


2. Where Can I Buy a Custom Surfboard?

You can buy custom surfboards:

  • directly from local shapers
  • via online custom order platforms
  • through specialty surf shops
  • or directly from independent craftsmen like SJS Custom

The difference with true custom shaping is: you’re no longer buying a “product”.

You’re building equipment around you.

At SJS Custom, master craftsman Scotty James works directly with surfers one-on-one to design boards that genuinely match:

  • ability
  • style
  • preferred waves
  • progression goals

We also offer the rare opportunity to:

Build Your Own Surfboard inside our immersive “Eat Sleep Shape” experience on the Gold Coast.

Once in a lifetime "bucket list" and learn:

  • rails
  • rocker
  • contours
  • glassing
  • volume
  • performance tuning

homestay onsite …and leave understanding why your board works.


3. Where Can I Buy an Affordable Starter Surfboard?

For true beginners, affordable starter boards are usually:

  • softboards (“foamies”)
  • longboards
  • funboards
  • mid-lengths

Most surf schools recommend beginners start on larger, higher-volume softboards because they:

  • paddle easier
  • catch more waves
  • improve confidence faster
  • reduce injuries

Affordable beginner boards can usually be found:

  • second-hand
  • at surf shops
  • online surf retailers
  • Facebook Marketplace

In Australia, beginner foam boards commonly range:

  • approximately AUD $250–$750 depending on quality 


4. What Are the Best Surfboards for Beginners?

Honestly?

The best beginner board is usually:

the one that catches the most waves.

Not the coolest-looking one.

Most beginners progress fastest on:

  • 8ft+ softboards
  • mini mals
  • funboards
  • mid-lengths

Surf schools worldwide commonly recommend softboards because they offer:

  • more stability
  • more flotation
  • easier paddling
  • safer learning conditions

One of the biggest beginner mistakes is buying a high-performance shortboard too early.

That usually leads to:

  • frustration
  • fewer waves
  • slower progression
  • exhaustion

The right beginner board should make surfing feel fun, not punishing.


5. How Much Does a Surfboard Cost in Australia? 

Typical price ranges:

  • Beginner softboards: AUD $250–$750 
  • Mid-range performance boards: AUD $900–$1,500+
  • Premium customs: AUD $1,200–$2,500+


7. Where Are Affordable Surfboards Online?

Affordable surfboards online are commonly found through:

  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Gumtree
  • SurfStitch sales
  • Boardcave beginner ranges
  • local surf shop clearance sales

But “cheap” and “good value” are not always the same thing.

A badly chosen cheap board often costs more long-term because:

  • progression slows
  • surfing becomes frustrating
  • you buy another board too quickly


8. Where Can I Buy a Quality Surfboard at a Low Price?

The best value surfboard is usually:

the board you keep riding for years.

Not the cheapest one upfront.

A quality custom board designed properly for:

  • your body
  • your own local waves 
  • surfing goals
  • ability level

…often performs better and lasts longer than buying multiple unsuitable boards.

At SJS Custom Surfboards, we focus on:

  • quality over quantity
  • direct conversations with every surfer 
  • handcrafted performance
  • boards built with purpose

Because surfing feels very different when the board beneath your feet was built specifically for you.


Final Thoughts

Most surfers buy boards hoping they’ll work.

Experienced surfers eventually realise the best boards are rarely accidental.

Whether you’re:

  • buying your first surfboard
  • upgrading performance
  • wanting a custom shape
  • or dreaming of building your own board…

the goal isn’t owning more boards.

It’s owning the right one.

Explore Custom Surfboards & Build Experiences

SJS Custom Performance Surfboards
SJS Board Building Experience

Or follow the shaping bay journey:

Written by Sharee (aka The Mrs)

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