Foamie Fish Surfboards: A Revival of Fun Retro Shapes

The Origins of Foamie Fish Surfboards

Foamie or soft-top surfboards, sometimes referred to as foamie fish, have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years. Originally developed in the 1960s as beginner boards due to their soft foam tops that prevent injury, foamies fell out of favor when shortboards became the rage. However, foamie fish surfboards have made a comeback thanks to experienced surfers realizing their advantages in small waves and surf schools utilizing them for lessons.

What is a Foamie Fish Surfboard?

A foamie fish board is a surfboard made from soft foam, usually polyethylene or polypropylene, that is shaped like a retro fish surfboard. Fish surfboards are wide and stubby with a fish-like silhouette, aimed at capturing waves more easily than traditional shortboards. The foam top increases buoyancy and prevents injury from the board during wipeouts or collisions.

Foamie fish surfboards are most commonly used by beginners and surf schools due to their ease of use and safety. However, experienced surfers often use foamies in small, weak surf conditions when they want to focus more on honing maneuvers than battling to catch waves. The high buoyancy gets foamie fish boards up and riding waves earlier with less effort compared to traditional surfboards.

Advantages of Foamie Fish Surfboards

Here are some of the reasons why foamie fish surfboards have experienced a revival in recent years:

• Safety - The soft foam deck prevents injuries from board collisions or wipeouts, great for beginners and surf schools.
• Easier paddling - Increased buoyancy means less arm strength needed to catch waves.
• Get up faster - Foamie fish surf faster on weaker waves that would be difficult for traditional boards.
• Fun shapes - Manufacturers create foamie fish in retro shapes like old school twin fins adding style.
• Low cost - Foam boards are cheaper than epoxy or fiberglass, making them attractive when funds are limited.

The combination of safety, ease of use and capability in small or weak surf make foamie fish boards appealing. Surf schools rely on them for lessons, while beginners use them to gain confidence. Even advanced surfers turn to foamies to work on technique when rides are short.

How to Choose a Foamie Fish Surfboard

Choosing the right foamie fish comes down to your size, ability level, typical wave sizes, what design you prefer, and of course budget. Keep these tips in mind when selecting a foamie fish surfboard for purchase:

• Check length/width matches your size and weight - Under 6' best for lighter riders.
• Skill level impacts needs - Advanced skills open more radical shapes.
• Wave height is a factor - Bigger waves demand more foam and float.
• Retro inspired twin fins have more style for small waves.
• More volume equals more float but don't go oversized.
• Research brands and read user reviews before buying.

Skill Level Considerations

Your abilities as a surfer determine what type of foamie fish will work best:

• Beginner - Focus on stability via wide outline and thickness for float. Aim for 8' and over if an adult.
• Intermediate - Narrower shapes become possible. Prioritize maneuverability with curved fore and aft sections.
• Advanced - More performance is achievable from shorter, squashed fish shapes under 7'. Radical swallow tails and twin fins allow tighter turns in small surf.

Make sure to match the foamie fish to your skill so you can progress without becoming frustrated. An advanced surfer will feel limited on an oversized longboard style foamie meant for first timers.

Custom Shaping Options

Some foam board companies offer custom shaping which allows getting a board tailored precisely to your requirements. Dimensions like length, width, and thickness can be adjusted along with outlines and fins. Custom means paying a higher cost yet also getting the best setup to match individual surfing needs and local wave types.

Top Foamie Fish Surfboard Brands

In the last decade, foam surfboards have benefitted hugely from new manufacturing technologies and construction materials. This has helped many brands specialize in foam boards aimed at both entry-level and experienced surfers. Here are some of the top manufacturers of foamie fish surfboards to consider:

Wave Storm

Wave Storm surfboards helped create the return of foamies by utilizing multilayer heat lamination technology to make their boards. They focus heavily on very stable wide outline boards perfect for beginners in bigger surf.

Softech

Utilizing tough IXPE deck foam mated to a high-density polystyrene core, Softech builds foamies prized for durability. Models like the Mason Ho Whip comes shaped by experienced board builders.

Catch Surf

Specializing in high performance shorter foamies for small waves, Catch Surf has models shaped by world champions. The twin plus one keel fin on the Beater Original provides ample drive and hold to carve up tiny surf with style.

ZYER

Based in Thailand, ZYER emerged from making boards for surf camps and schools focused on learners. They offer plenty of thickness and stability across their range of designs to handle bigger surf with confidence.

Each brand provides differing takes on foamie fish surfboards whether you want max float for beginners or performance ability to rip in tiny waves. Plenty of varieties exist so research thoroughly before buying.

Tips for Riding a Foamie Fish Surfboard

To get the most out of a foamie fish surfboard, tailoring your approach works best. Here are some tips:

• Paddle early before takeoff - Their increased buoyancy lets them ride waves other boards would miss.
• Start turns early due to increased inertia - Draw out turns for a smooth style.
• Use thinner rails to set sharper lines on steeper waves - Wider rails grip better on slower crumbly waves.
• Sit further back on wider tail outline boards - Helps prevent pearling on late takeoffs.
• Keep sessions short to avoid fatiguing on thicker foam builds - Favor shorter boards to offset as fitness allows.

Fine tuning stance and turn approach transforms foamie fish surfing from pure survival on a longboard to genuine ripping on a fish! Match board choice to surf conditions and ability to maximize the enhanced slide and speed foamie fish can provide.

FAQs

What is the difference between a foamie and a soft top surfboard?

Foamie and soft top surfboards refer to the same type of board - they have a soft foam deck top rather than a traditional fiberglass surface. The terms can be used interchangeably when talking about foam surfboards.

Are foamies only for beginners?

While foamie surfboards are extremely popular with beginners and surf schools due to safety, experienced surfers also utilize them in small surf conditions. Advanced foamie shapes allow ripping turns and maneuvers once solid skills are established.

What conditions are best for foamie fish surfboards?

Foamie fish designs shine the most in weaker, crumbly waves in the 1-4 foot range. Their increased buoyancy and wider outlines catch waves far earlier than traditional shortboards. Gently sloping waves allow utilizing their enhanced glide to link turns together smoothly.

Why would an advanced surfer use a foam board?

In tiny waves that offer slow rides, the purpose shifts from pure adrenaline to working on technique. The effortlessness foamies possess in marginal conditions enables advanced surfers to keep sessions short while focusing intently on maneuvers rather than paddling constantly.

What should I look for in a foamie fish for steep waves?

Prioritize models with thinner, harder rails that grip better on steeper faces. Wider tails also help provide extra grip and stability to handle late takeoffs and ensure making early bottom turns to not lose speed. More rocker is useful to avoid pearling also.