Mid Length Surfboards

Want a board that paddles easy, catches waves early, and still turns smoothly? Midlength surfboards are the sweet spot between a shortboard and a longboard. They offer tons of glide and wave count without feeling like a giant log. At Rider Shack, our crew of real surfers handpicks midlengths from brands like Lost, Firewire, Channel Islands, Modern, and Torq, so you can find a board that fits your style, local waves, and progression. Every purchase supports a small, family-run core surf shop in Los Angeles.

What Is a Midlength Surfboard?

A midlength surfboard (sometimes called a funboard or mid-length) usually runs from about 6'6" to 8'0"+. It blends the paddle power and glide of a longboard with some of the maneuverability of a shorter board. Most midlengths have:

• Extra volume: Makes paddling easier and boosts wave count.
• Smoother, drawn-out turns: Great for trimming and flowing down the line.
• Versatility: Works in everything from knee-high to well overhead when matched to the right template.

Midlengths are perfect if you want to catch more waves, surf with less effort, and still have plenty of control on the face.

Who Are Midlength Surfboards Best For?

Midlengths work for a huge range of surfers, which is why they’re one of our favorite categories:

• Beginners: A midlength offers a stable, forgiving platform with lots of paddle power, but feels more manageable than a huge longboard.
• Progressing surfers: Great for stepping down from a longboard or soft-top without sacrificing wave count.
• Experienced surfers: The perfect “cheater board” for smaller or crowded days when you still want to surf well without working too hard.

If you’re not sure whether to start on a midlength, longboard, or soft-top, our Guide to Buying Your First Surfboard is a great place to begin.

Popular Midlength Surfboards at Rider Shack

Our midlength rack changes constantly, but you’ll often find models like:

• Lost Surfboards: Crowd Killer, Cobra Killer Mid, Smooth Operator, Big Rig Driver (step-up style) and other full-volume midlengths and fun shapes.
• Firewire Surfboards: Boss Up, Seaside & Beyond, Sweet Potato (longer sizes), Long Rider, Machado-inspired midlengths and hybrids.
• Pyzel Surfboards: Ghost step-ups and fuller midlength-inspired shapes depending on current inventory.
• Channel Islands: CI Mid, M23, Waterhog — modern midlength and funboard templates that work in a wide range of conditions.
• Modern Surfboards: Falcon, Love Child, Double Wide, Modern Retro — super user-friendly midlengths with plenty of foam and easy paddling.
• Torq Surfboards: Mod Fun, V+, Torq Longboard in shorter sizes — durable epoxy midlengths that are perfect for everyday surfing and progression.

If you tell us your height, weight, and where you usually surf, we can help narrow this list down to a few ideal models.

How to Choose the Right Midlength

When you’re picking a midlength surfboard, consider:

• Length & volume: More length and liters = easier paddling and earlier entry. If you’re newer or heavier, err on the side of more foam.
• Outline: Eggy, round templates feel extremely forgiving. More pulled-in noses and tails feel a bit more performance oriented.
• Fin setup: Many midlengths run as single fin, 2+1, thruster, or quad. Single and 2+1 setups are flowy and classic; thruster and quad give more bite and drive.
• Your local waves: For slow, rolling points and beach breaks, go thicker and fuller. For punchier waves, choose a slightly more refined midlength with a bit more rocker.

Not sure where to land? Reach out to us or stop by the shop — we’ll match you to a board that fits your waves and your body.

Midlength vs Longboard vs Shortboard

Still debating what to ride? Here’s how midlengths compare:

• Midlength vs Longboard: Longboards (9'0"+) offer max glide and nose-riding potential, but can feel big and slower to turn. Midlengths still paddle great but feel more nimble and easier to handle in wind and crowds.
• Midlength vs Shortboard: Shortboards are better for tight, critical surfing in steeper waves, but are harder to paddle and less forgiving. Midlengths trade some performance for a huge boost in wave count and confidence.
• Midlength vs Soft-Top: Soft boards are ideal for total beginners and surf schools. A midlength in fiberglass or epoxy gives you more performance once you’re ready for a longer-term board.

For more help comparing shapes, check out our First Surfboard Guide and our Surfer’s Guide to Los Angeles for board suggestions at different LA surf spots.

New, Used & Brand Options

However you like to shop, we’ve got a midlength option that fits:

• New midlength surfboards: Fresh models from Lost, Firewire, Channel Islands, Modern, Torq and more.
• Used midlengths: Check our Used Surfboards section for hand-inspected midlengths that help you save without rolling the dice on condition.
• Soft-top midlengths: If you want something extra forgiving but midlength-sized, look at Soft Boards for foam funshapes and logs.

Shipping, Pickup & Supporting a Core Surf Shop

We ship midlength surfboards across the continental U.S. with live UPS rates displayed in your cart at checkout. Midlengths over 5'11" and 21" wide are often considered oversized and may carry higher shipping costs, but you can also choose free in-store pickup in Los Angeles or free Central Coast pickup on our weekly transfers. For full details, visit our Shipping & Returns page.

When you order from Rider Shack, you’re buying from a small, family-run surf shop — not a faceless warehouse. We surf the same LA breaks you do and are here to help you find a midlength that actually works for your skill level and local waves.