You’ve caught your first waves, you’re popping up more often than not and you’ve probably pushed your beginner board to its limits.
That means one thing: it’s time to upgrade.
Welcome to the best part of being a surf nerd. When your surfing starts to click, your turns start to feel really good and you realise the right board can make all the difference.
This guide is here to help you find the best surfboard for intermediate surfers so you can ride with more confidence, control and style. Whether you’re transitioning off a foamy or fine-tuning your technique on a new shape, we’ve rounded up the best picks for your next step.
Enjoy!
How to Know You’re Ready for an Intermediate Surfboard
Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Beginner Board
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You’re consistently catching unbroken waves instead of whitewash
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You’ve started turning and want better rail engagement
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Your beginner board is starting to feel slow or clunky
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You want to progress in a variety of wave conditions
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You’re curious about trying different boards to suit your evolving style
Skills You Should Have Mastered By Now
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Confident paddling and positioning in the lineup
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Ability to pop up quickly and consistently
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Riding both left and right on an open face
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Basic understanding of wave timing and reading the ocean
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Comfort in handling your board in different surf conditions
What to Look for in an Intermediate Board
Shortboard, Fish, or Mid Length?
Intermediate surfboards come in a huge range of shapes.
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Shortboards are great for sharper turns and critical waves, but can be tricky if you’re still dialling in your paddle power
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Fish boards (twin fins) are forgiving, fast, and flowy... ideal if you want more speed with less effort
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Mid-lengths offer the perfect balance of paddle speed and manoeuvrability, giving you stability without sacrificing performance
Think about what feels fun and where you surf most.
Volume and Rocker Considerations
Look for a board with enough volume to support your weight and paddling ability.
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Too little volume and you’ll miss waves
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Too much and your board might feel too buoyant and hard to dig your rail
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Moderate rocker gives you better control on steeper waves without sacrificing paddle speed
It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your level and local conditions.
Fin Setups for Progression
You needn't nerd out too much on fin setups, but it helps to have some background.
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Thruster (three fin) setups are the go-to for a reason. They offer balance, drive and control
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Quads can give you more speed and hold on the rail without sacrificing speed
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A 2+1 setup (especially on mid-lengths) provides stability with just enough bite
If you’re experimenting, choose a board with removable fin boxes so you can swap setups and feel the difference.
Top 5 Best Surfboards for Intermediate Surfers
Torq – Funboard V+
This one’s tough, reliable and ready for anything. The Torq Funboard V+ is made for intermediate surfers who want a low-maintenance, high-reward board that just works.
It’s got heaps of paddle power, a user-friendly outline and a solid PU feel underfoot. If you’re after a board that helps you boost wave count while improving your turning game, this is it.
Key Features:
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Extra volume for easy paddling and wave-catching
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Super durable epoxy construction with a classic funboard shape
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Comes with fins... ready to surf straight out of the shop!
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Great for surfers transitioning from soft tops to hard boards
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Built for a wide range of surf conditions
7S Superfish PU Surfboard
Fast and stable but just loose enough to have a blast.
The 7S Superfish PU blends speed and control with a bit of flair, giving intermediate surfers a reliable board that can push their progression without feeling stiff. The wide nose and tail add float and forgiveness, while the PU construction brings a more traditional (i.e. predictable) feel.
Key Features:
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Double concave bottom for smooth rail transitions
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PU construction for classic weight and flex
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Comes with a quad fin setup for more speed and drive
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Great for intermediate surfers wanting to explore different wave types
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Perfect mix of paddle power and performance
Falcon PU Surfboard
Looking to break out of the beginner zone with confidence? The Falcon has your back.
It’s stable enough for those just off soft tops, but tuned up with enough shape to let you grow into turns, speed and smoother lines. This board gives you room to develop your technique while still being loads of fun on smaller days.
Key Features:
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Balanced outline with extra volume under the chest
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Rocker tuned for both glide and responsiveness
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PU construction for a solid feel underfoot
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Great transition board for beginner and intermediate surfers
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Comes with fins
Salt Gypsy – Mid Tide PU Surfboard
Created specifically for women by women, the Salt Gypsy Mid Tide is more than a pretty face. It’s functional, stable and built to progress with you.
The fuller outline and moderate rocker give you forgiveness when you need it, while still delivering performance when you’re ready to push. Plus, it comes in colours that actually look good. Looks good. Feels good. What's not to love?
Key Features:
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Designed with female surfers in mind
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PU construction for reliable flex and feedback
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Full template adds stability without being sluggish
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Comes with fins
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Great for building confidence in a range of surf
Honey Surf – Moon Dancer Fish
Light, strong, and fun to ride... the Moon Dancer is built for the east coast of Australia and surfers who want performance without pressure. It paddles well, turns smoothly and brings that cruisy fish energy to your session. Ideal for intermediate surfers chasing better lines with less effort.
Key Features:
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Durable (and eco-friendly) epoxy construction with twin stringers
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Fish shape for easy paddling and extra speed down the line
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Forgiving rails and wide tail add stability without losing manoeuvrability
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Suited for small to mid-sized waves
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Looks as good as it feels
Tips for Transitioning to an Intermediate Board
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Expect a learning curve... it’s normal! New boards respond differently
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Shift your weight forward during paddling to maintain speed and flow
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Positioning on the board matters more with lower volume. Find your sweet spot
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Practice turning techniques like cutbacks and bottom turns to unlock your board’s potential
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Not sure about sizing? Hire a few different boards or borrow from mates before committing
FAQs
What Is an Intermediate Surfboard?
An intermediate surfboard bridges the gap between the oversized longboards beginners start on and the more refined boards used by experienced surfers. It offers a balance of control, stability, and responsiveness to help you continue your surfing journey.
These boards are designed to catch waves efficiently, handle turns with more precision and build momentum as you link maneuvers. Essentially, they're any board that helps you step things up without diving straight into high-performance surfing territory.
Should I Buy or Custom Order My Next Board?
Unless you’re chasing something ultra-specific, buying off the rack is the most fun and practical option. Most surf shops carry a wide selection suited to your surfboard length, weight and style.
A custom board might be worth it if you’re talking about dialling in tiny details or matching a tricky local break, but for now, focus on shapes that support progression and connection with the wave. It’s easy to overthink and make a mistake when picking the right one. Our advice? Keep it simple and choose something versatile that you’ll have fun riding.
How Much Volume Should My Intermediate Board Have?
Volume matters more than most people realise. Too much and you’ll feel like you're surfing a boat. Too little and you'll never generate speed or (god forbid) enjoy your surf sessions.
If you started on a foamie or longboard around 70 litres, aim for a board in the 40–55L range with a sleeker shape and reduced width. That’ll give you the float you need without sacrificing progression.
And if you’re on the smaller side (or helping kids transition), adjust accordingly. The right volume boosts your paddle power and makes every take off feel clean and confident.
How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Upgrade?
You’re ready when you’re standing consistently, trimming down the line and starting to experiment with rail-to-rail surfing.
If your beginner board feels like it’s fighting your turns or if it’s holding you back from drawing better lines, it’s time. The shift to an intermediate shape is about feeling the wave and having enough responsiveness to express your style.
It’s not about being the most experienced surfer in the world. It’s about progressing with purpose and building confidence every session.
Do I Need to Change My Fin Setup?
A good fin setup can completely change how your board performs. Many intermediate boards feature multiple options (from thrusters to 2+1 or even quad setups) so you can play around and see what suits your style.
The placement and type of fins affect how your board moves through turns, holds direction and builds speed. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Ask our surfboard technicians... they'll tell you surfing is part science, part art, all fun. And discovering how your fins influence your flow is all part of that.
So... ready to level up your surfing?
At Natural Necessity Surf Shop in Gerringong NSW, we’ve helped thousands of surfers find the right board for their next step.
Whether you’re shopping online or chatting with us in-store, we’ll make sure you ride out with something that matches your style, skill level and the local waves.
Because the best surfboard for intermediate surfers? It’s the one that keeps you stoked to get back in the water.
