I'm looking into getting my 7 year old his first surfboard. I was thinking about a foam topper/"beater board". Are those worth while or should I just go with a "normal" surfboard? I'm open to suggestions.

Check out the used board forum. Get one cheap that has proven itself. Have you been pushing him into waves on your board?

Choice of softie vs. standard. Something small and floaty. I would stick with a standard poly board with shortboard shape. But there are all kinds of philosophies on learning boards.

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Edited: 02/20/2017 at 10:01 AM by daner

something that he can carry...

Let him carry the board to the water, get used to holding it when the wind blows, lay it down on the sand to wax, be responsible not to bang other people or other boards with it while he's holding it...

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Light enough that it won't knock him out, and will be easy to spin and paddle; enough rocker that it won't easily pearl; wide enough and long enough to be as stable as the sidewalk. An epoxy pop-out funshape might fit the bill. You can get fins (ProTeck?) with soft edges, if you're going the "real" surfboard route. If you go with a foamer, just make sure you're not starting out with delams or a waterlogged-sponge. Some of those can soak up a lot of water.

Get him the right sized Neilson Blunt and he'll have a good board to learn on now (with no sharp corners) and a good groveler when he's in college.

Yeah, Pro Teck fins for now.

I like the idea of a mini-blunt. Plus he's got a younger brother that could have the hand-me-down. Good suggestion.

Check out Catalyst Melbourne Beach, was just in there and they had tons of used grom boards for sale.

I have a great learning board For $100

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Style is what you make it!

"Plus he's got a younger brother"

Uh oh.

I ended going with surftechs for a while with my kids (3)

due to the whole bumperboards issue.

I got tired of fixing dings.

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Costco foamy fish. $60!

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