Longboard Surfboards
Longboard surfboards offer the easiest wave-catching, smoothest glide, and most timeless style in surfing. Whether you're learning to surf, love stylish trimming and nose riding, or simply want maximum fun on small days, a longboard surfboard is the most forgiving and versatile shape you can ride. At Rider Shack, we stock beginner-friendly longboards, high-performance logs, retro single fins, soft-top longboards, and premium shapes from top shapers — all hand-selected by real surfers. Every board you buy supports a small, family-run surf shop in Los Angeles.
Why Choose a Longboard Surfboard?
Longboards (generally 8'0"–10'0"+) give you:
- Maximum stability: Wide outlines and plenty of surface area make balancing easier.
- Early wave entry: Paddle faster and catch waves earlier than on any other board type.
- Smooth, flowing rides: Perfect for trimming down the line and longer rides in small surf.
- Ideal for mellow and fun conditions: Great for Los Angeles waves like Malibu, Sunset Beach, and Ocean Park.
- Beginner-friendly: The easiest surfboard to learn on and progress your fundamentals.
Types of Longboards We Carry
Our longboard inventory rotates constantly, but you’ll typically find:
- Classic Noseriders: Wider noses, more tail rocker, and soft rails for hanging five or ten.
- Performance Longboards: Lighter, faster, and more responsive — great for modern longboard surfing.
- High-Volume Logs: Ultra-stable shapes perfect for beginners, larger surfers, or extra-small days.
- Soft-Top Longboards: Ideal for beginners, families, and surf lessons. Check them out under Soft Boards.
We carry longboards from top brands including Channel Islands, Modern, Firewire, Torq, Catch Surf, and more, along with rotating hand-shaped and local shaper options.
Who Should Ride a Longboard?
- Complete beginners: The best board for learning to paddle, pop up, and ride waves.
- Small-wave surfers: If you live in LA or anywhere with mellow surf, longboards maximize fun.
- Stylish riders: If you love cross-stepping, noseriding, and clean lines, longboards are your board.
- Older surfers returning to the water: Great for staying on the wave count without needing to muscle shortboards.
Popular Longboard Models at Rider Shack
- Channel Islands: CI Noserider, CI Mid (longer sizes), performance logs.
- Modern Surfboards: Modern Retro, Golden Rule — great for all-around longboarding.
- Firewire: The Gem, TJ Pro, TJ Mid, Special T — eco-friendly longboards with premium construction.
- Torq Longboard: Durable epoxy longboards perfect for progression and everyday surfing.
- Catch Surf Log: Fun, safe, soft-top longboards in sizes 7'0"–9'0".
Longboard Sizes & What to Choose
If you're unsure what size to start with:
- 8'0"–8'6": Good for lighter riders, improving surfers, or those wanting a more agile longboard.
- 9'0": The most common size — perfect balance of stability and maneuverability.
- 9'4"–10'0": Best for noseriding, heavier riders, and surfers who want max glide.
For personalized sizing, contact us or stop by. Tell us your height, weight, and experience — we’ll help you choose the right liters and length.
New & Used Longboards
- New Longboards: Shop premium longboards across all major brands.
- Used Longboards: Our Used Surfboards section includes hand-inspected longboards ready to save you money.
- Soft-Top Longboards: Great for learning safely — browse them at Soft Boards.
Where Longboards Work Best in Los Angeles
Longboards absolutely shine at mellow, rolling LA surf spots like:
- Malibu (First Point)
- Venice Breakwater
- Ocean Park, Santa Monica
- Sunset Beach
- Zuma Beach (summer)
For more info on each break, check out our Surfer’s Guide to Los Angeles.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Longboards over 8'0" cannot ship via standard UPS due to size limits. We offer:
- Free in-store pickup in Los Angeles
- Free Central Coast pickup (Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, Lompoc)
- Airport cargo / freight delivery — usually around $200
Full details are available on our Shipping & Returns page.
Longboard Surfboards FAQ
Is a longboard surfboard good for beginners?
Yes — longboards are the easiest surfboards to learn on thanks to their stability, paddle power, and forgiving ride. Most beginners start on an 8'0"–9'0" longboard or soft-top before transitioning to shorter shapes.
What size longboard should I get?
A 9'0" longboard works for most adults, while smaller surfers may prefer 8'0"–8'6". If you want maximum stability or plan to nose ride, choose 9'4"–10'0".
Can I learn to surf on a longboard?
Absolutely. Longboards offer the fastest learning curve — you’ll catch more waves, stand up sooner, and gain confidence quicker compared to shortboards or midlengths.
Do you ship longboards?
Longboards over 8'0" exceed UPS size limits, but we offer free pickup in Los Angeles, free Central Coast pickup, and airport cargo shipping for around $200. Full details are on our Shipping & Returns page.
Should I get a soft-top longboard?
Soft-top longboards are perfect for beginners, surf lessons, families, and anyone who wants a safe, durable longboard that can handle lots of use. Browse them under Soft Boards.
