The Choice
I scoured the Internet looking for a soft board on which to start my two kids on the path towards surfing. I found that the Supersoft from Global Surf Industries looked best on paper (about $350). Incidentally, I received the board in just few days after purchase; however, the shipping service had given it a brutal beating. After a quick email, I was sent a replacement and was ready to ride.
Supersoft offers several sizes, including 5, 7, 8, and 9 footers. The 5 foot model would be best for beginners and small kids who are surfing on their own, but my kids are very small and need an adult to guide them in to waves. Therefore, the 8 footer was the right choice for me.
The Trial
After waiting for the waves to be tiny enough for my little ones to feel comfortable, I loaded up the Supersoft soft board and paddled out with my kids. The eight foot soft board is a perfect fit for an adult and a small child to surf together. It catches waves like a champ, gliding in after just a few strokes. The soft deck is plenty grippy, so you don’t need to purchase any wax. However, beware on your first session since both my kids developed some pretty solid rash on their chests and legs. This is common for surfers, especially after not surfing for a while or after changing to a new wax. All in all, I rode about twenty to thirty waves with my kids in very small, semi-choppy conditions.
The Verdict
The Supersoft soft board is perfect for beginners and surf instructors. I was impressed with the flexible fins, the robust construction, and the overall wave riding performance. Obviously not meant for high-flying modern moves, the Supersoft soft board has a positive down-the-line speed, and its buoyancy makes it easy to stand and maintain balance even in miniscule surf. To their credit, Supersoft quickly exchanged the original damaged board I received in just a few days.
The board itself is a welcomed addition to my quiver, and I can only hope the Supersoft soft board is the tool that ignites a love of surfing in my kids. It’s possible that it may have already happened. Just read what my daughter has to say about her experience:
”The board was new and cool. I loved feeling the wind in my hair. I think that young learners would definitely learn well on this type of board. Even so, if you have sensitive skin you may get a slight rash, but otherwise I loved this board. It made me feel that I wouldn’t fall on a hard surface. Unlike a surfboard that would hurt a little more than this soft board.”
