Find Waves
Find Surfers
Articles
Groups
Feed

Search for:

Find Waves
Find Surfers
Articles
Groups
Feed

Search for:

Category: Surfboards

Why Every Surfer Needs an Inflatable Surfboard in their Quiver

Jamie O’Brien and Ben Gravy are just a couple of surfers/surf vloggers who made foam surfboards cool and popular. I myself, am just not a…

JenCSurf February 25, 2021

0 Comments

Unconventional Tips and Tricks for Surfers Plus Other Weird Surfing Habits

I’ve taken surfing lessons quite a few times either formally in a group setting or with a private surf instructor a few times as well.…

JenCSurf September 27, 2020

0 Comments

Buying a Surfboard – Choosing The Best Materials For Your Surfing Style

Credit for featured image above – cheapsurfgear.com One of the most important factors in choosing a surfboard is what type of foam and glassing/resin it…

JenCSurf August 27, 2020

0 Comments

Breaking Your Surfboard & Other Surfers’ Rights of Passage

In order to call yourself a surfer, not just someone who surfs, I believe there are some rights of passage that you should or will…

JenCSurf August 23, 2020

0 Comments

Avoid These 3 Mistakes When Glassing a Surfboard

They told me making my own surfboard would be easy. It wasn’t. It was hard work, took a LOT of time, and turned out pretty…

Steve November 1, 2019

0 Comments

Surfing Free with the Uli Inflatable Surfboard

As I’ve been planning my “surf trip” to Texas, yes a trip to Texas specifically for surfing (and ya know visiting my fam that live…

JenCSurf May 21, 2018

0 Comments

Members

Newest | Active | Popular

JenCSurf

active 6 weeks ago
Jomama

active 2 months ago
Tallo

active 3 months ago
Bean

active 4 months ago
huouiioiuui01

active 5 months ago

See all

Groups

Newest | Active | Popular

San Diego Surfer Chicks & Dudes

active 5 months ago
San Diego Surfer Chicks

active 2 years ago
San Diego Surfer Dudes

active 2 years ago

See all

Articles

Punta de Mita – Warm Water…
Why Every Surfer Needs an Inflatable…
Practical Unique Tips on How to…
Unconventional Tips and Tricks for Surfers…
Sun Patrol vs Dawn Patrol –…

About Us

Join the Crew – Sign Up

Find YOUR Perfect Waves

Surf Community Info

Community Guidelines

Surf Spot Wave Finder Info

Contribute & Earn

Other Info

FAQ’s – TBD once we get some

Search for surf info

Search for:

Search by category

Forum Description

Jamie O'Brien and Ben Gravy are just a couple of surfers/surf vloggers who made foam surfboards cool and popular. I myself, am just not a fan of foam boards though. I find foam boards harder to balance on for the most part (and I've had others agree with me) and they're just too heavy for my taste.

People do like them because they are good for beginners, are harder to damage and won't hurt you as much if you get hit by one. Everywhere you take surf lessons that's pretty much the only kind of surfboard you will find.

However, I believe inflatable surfboards should rise up and take over the foamboard craze because they are truly better for beginners (and even surfers of all levels). My goal is to become the Jamie O'Brien and Ben Gravy for repping inflatable surfboards!

Getting barreled for the first time on my inflatable surfboard - and with the help of clever filming/editing with the Insta360 One X2 camera!

I've been intrigued with inflatable surfboards since I tested one out a couple years ago but have recently come across an inflatable surfboard brand, Mountains to Water, that makes a variety of sizes of inflatable surfboards at a reasonable price. I now own 2 of them so I can confidently say without hesitation that everyone should have an inflatable surfboard in their quiver.

Here are some of the amazing benefits of an inflatable surfboard (even over a foam board)

Easy to transport

No need to strap the surfboard on top of car and be paranoid that it might fall off while driving down the highway. For me, I don't have to drive with my convertible top down coming home from San Onofre Beach after a sunset surf in the fall/winter when it's colder outside. Press play on the clip below and you'll see exactly what I mean.

https://youtu.be/3F59JhpMfvY?t=1260

No need to buy locks to secure your board to your vehicle if you want to grab a bite to eat at a restaurant or stop at a store somewhere after a surf sesh or even bring it to work with you so can surf a nearby surf spot after work. Convenient backpacks that come with most inflatable surfboards make it possible to even ride to the beach on a scooter with it on your back

Speeds up your paddling

Inflatable boards are more buoyant and therefore it is easier to catch green waves (and smaller waves at that) with them

Saves money on surf travel (airplane fees, surfboard rentals)

A lot of airlines have been reducing their fees to transport surfboards, but with longboard surfboards, it is usually still around $100 each way to transport them. That's $200 a trip. In just two surf trips you could easily make back the money that you spend on airline handling fees with just purchasing one inflatable surfboard. Not to mention how akward it is traveling with a longboard, and trying to get a cab or Uber to your hotel or airport if you aren't renting a car and bring car straps with you.

Even if you rented a surfboard, the money you spend on one or two trips renting a board can easily be recouped by getting an inflatable surfboard.

Harder to damage

It's harder to puncture unless it hits a really sharp object and dings/scrapes are way less likely due to the flex of the board.

Unique feel to surfing

It's so light you literally feel like you are flying on top of water, there's no feeling like it.

Softer than a foam board

I'd much rather be hit with an inflatable surfboard than even a foam board.

No need to wax

The grip on the surface is all you need - helps to keep wax off your other stuff too (like inside your car for those who can fit boards inside their vehicles).

Easy and compact to store

You can easily store more boards and if you have a smaller place and have them on hand for visitors that want to come surfing with you.

You can pack more surfboards in a car that way and be able to actually transport your visitors as well since the surfboards aren't taking up all the room (this is applicable for me, as I have a convertible and don't strap boards onto the top of my car).

Inflatable surfboards aren't perfect and that's why I say they should just be a part of your surfboard quiver. There are a few drawbacks for them.

You can't duck dive

And it's harder to even bull-ride (my unconventional getting over a wave technique), since they're so light.

They're harder to ride on bigger waves

You do need a bit of weight on bigger waves for better control (but even epoxy hard surfboards aren't as good on bigger waves vs. poly boards).

Less performance driven

Some say they're harder to maneuver and rip with, but I have no problem turning my inflatable surfboards, but I’m no ripper either.

Therefore, if you're just a regular surfer that likes cruising down the line and making a few turns, it's perfectly fine for you and this con doesn't apply.

Takes a bit of time to inflate and pack back up, however deflating is super-fast

It took me 92 pumps to get to the 15-16 PSI minimum range needed, plus I took an extra 16 pumps right before I headed out to surf it for the first time, for good measure.

However, the board length also plays a factor into the number of pumps and time it takes. The example above was for a 9'2" inflatable surfboard.

You can also buy an electric inflatable board pump but those are expensive and can add bulk/weight to your gear..

For best maintenance, you should wait for your inflatable surfboard to dry off before you can fold it up and put back in the bag (and you should strive to keep sand off it too, which could be a challenge at certain surf spots).

Packing it back into the bag is harder if the fins are attached to the board but easier if the fins are not attached. However then, pending the fin set up, putting the fin in can take some time as well.

However, for surf travel, with the benefit of being able to save money on airplane fees and surfboard rental, you can easily keep your surfboard inflated for an entire surf trip and not deal with having to inflate/deflate it too many times.

So there you have it. Now I'm off onto my mission of becoming the Jamie O'Brien/Ben Gravy of inflatable surfboards! Check these Mountains to Water inflatable surfboards out at my Surfers Shops store!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_3tDMB9gGM

Report

There was a problem reporting this post.

Harassment Harassment or bullying behavior

Inappropriate Contains mature or sensitive content

Misinformation Contains misleading or false information

Offensive Contains abusive or derogatory content

Suspicious Contains spam, fake content or potential malware

Other

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

See blocked member's posts
Mention this member in posts
Invite this member to groups
Message this member
Add this member as a connection

Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Report

You have already reported this .