Your Cart is Empty
free shipping on all orders over £75
Now that we know surfing is not just a summer sport, we need to talk about softboards... with soft being the operative word! Whilst surfing is not exactly a contact sport, it can be when you’re learning! So whether you’re a grom or an adult learner, this is the kind of craft you want to ride your first waves on.
And if you’re in it just for fun, then your surfing world is just about to be opened right up!
Boards in this category are generally made with an expanded polystyrene core (EPS) but the deck is wrapped in a layer of EVA rubber. That’s the stuff your thongs are made of, so it’s nice and soft. (That’s sandals for the Americans, Slippers for the Hawaiians, Jandals for the Kiwis, Slops for the South Africans etc.)
The bottom consists of a slick polyethylene plastic resin that is friction free and durable. The foam core will keep the board rigid and the plastic fins (that you can screw in and out with a 50c piece) will save you from any potential surf-ending fin chops. Some softboards will also give the option to drop in a real set of fins — the good kind of performance enhancers.
Of course there is a little more tech that goes into this category, but we’ll get to that later.
If you want to turn the amusement level up a notch, you can always throw a fun board in the boot. There has been great strides made in this space, and nothing is too weird or whacky to walk down your local beach track with.
Anything goes, from highly designed softboards with carbon stringers and real fins, to high profile shaper and surfer collaborations, to finless fun boards under 5ft.
This is the category you can transfer all of your learned skills over to... and take the seriousness right out of the picture. But best if you can ride the face of the wave before you expand your softboard quiver into this zone.
Figuring out which RYD softboard you need is an easy process!
If you’re a surf school or a beginner you’ll be looking at our Fresh Range. These durable boards are made with a triple stringer EPS core and features EVA ‘bumpers’ on the nose and tail for extra strength, beveled handles on the nose for easy ‘tow backs’ by instructors and lines on the deck to show you where to stand! Our Fresh RYD’s come in 6’0, 6’6, 7’0, 7’6, 8’0 and 9’0.
When it’s time to transition from learning to catching your own waves or just goofing around on those average surf days, make the move to our Everyday range. With extra volume (thickness) and size options (4’11 to 9ft) this range will give surfers of all skill levels the opportunity to have a truckload of fun.
The everyday range features an expanded polystyrene core with a double stringer for extra strength – with the 8ft and 9ft boards featuring 3 stringers.
You’ll also find a GoPro mount on the nose of this range so you can record the memories you make, push through plastic fins for added safety and a strategically placed handle on the bottom deck to help the young ones… or even the older ones make the trek to the waters edge even easier.
Everything about this board is built so you can have the most fun you can.
If you want to add a bit of spice to your surfing life you’ll need to make a stop at our ALT range. Designed to fully enhance the fun factor – no matter what craft you ride – these boards are guaranteed to leave you with a smile on your face. *
The Alt Range is the perfect blend between form and functionality. The refined shapes in our Alt Range offer performance in a variety of conditions. All boards have a glassed EPS foam core, carbon fiber stringer, a slick polyethylene plastic resin bottom and a high performance fin system with leash plug. We’ll also throw in a set of plastic fins with each board so you can go surfing straight away, but we recommend grabbing a set of RYD one tab fins to amplify your experience!
* We can’t legally guarantee the smiles, but we’re pretty sure you will be grinning from ear to ear.
The First Time model is the brainchild of RYD Ambassador, Caio Ibelli. When not competing on the WSL Championship Tour and getting under the skin of a certain Brazilian world champion, Caio likes to take long walks on beach, cuddle fluffy puppies and... surf twin Twin fins. This little number features a cheeky swallowtail, slight winger, and full concave leading into the fins - and is based off a board Caio personally shaped and is available in three sizes: 5’2, 5’7 and 5’9.
This board feels amazing under the arm, its superlight and the refined rails and quality finish make it feel like a real surfboard. If you cant wait to put a real set of one tab fins on the board, it comes ready to ride with a set of plastic fins.
We think everyone should have a twin fin in their quiver, and we might be a little biased, but this is a great place to start!
The Drone Ranger model is an absolute doozy. This is what happens when you crossbreed a Jack Russell with Labrador. What you get is a board that is fun, energetic, unpredictable, fast, loose and kinda loyal... although it could just run off without you.With its unique blocky shape and five fin set up — so you can run it as a thruster or quad — it’ll give you multiple options to tear around at your local.
Pick your pedigree between the 5’2 (31.6 liters), 5’6 (35.3 liters) and 6’0 (40.7 liters) options. The extra volume, coupled with a fairly flat rocker will see you racing along those flat sections with ease and you’ll find that speed generation will come naturally. As far as fun factor is concerned, this one is near the top of the pile!
Our Hank Dude model is our take on the modern day mid-length. And no, you don’t need a moustache, Lycra leggings or an unbuttoned shirt to surf in when jumping onto one of these beauties! Designed to bridge the gap between shortboards and longboards, the mid length gives you all the paddle power you need and a new appreciation for drawing classic lines on open faces. Available in three standard mid length sizes, 6’10 (40.9 liters), 7’2 (43.2 liters) and 7’4 (44.6 liters) it’s really just a case of picking your mark and getting your groove on!
The board features the classic rounded pin tail, beautifully shaped rails and is nice and rigid thanks to the laminated epoxy core. The board comes with a plastic single fin, and you can set up with a pair of side bite fins too so you can set up as a 2 + 1. And don’t forget to get your back foot over the fin to get this baby turning!
Want to slide like a pro? Well, we can’t promise you that, but we can bring you a model shaped by the 2018 WSL World Longboard Champion, Stevie Sawyer. Say hello to the Sea Movie model! Designed as an all rounder that’ll work in a variety of conditions, this 9’2 longboard (74.3 liters) will have you dancing like no one is watching in no time at all! One of the most talented surfers you’ll see riding a wave, Stevie’s passion for fun and flow ooze through on this board. This board comes with a plastic fin to get you in the water right away – if you want the board to run tight but drivey, set the fin further up towards the top of the fin box, and if you want to ride loose and squirty, set it more towards the back. Or somewhere right in the middle for a bit of both! Whether you’re a seasoned long boarder or just need a super enjoyable small wave option - The Sea Movie longboard is perfect fun machine!
The softboard category has something for absolutely everyone, so there’s no reason stop at just one fun board! More boards in this space equals way more fun!
Let’s go RYD some waves!
