I have been doing surfboard reviews for a while now. One benefit is that I have had the opportunity to surf many different Soft boards or Foamies. This has given me a great understanding of what the other brands and shapes offer. So I thought should do a guide of my top 5 soft boards and why.
This is my number one soft board pick if you are entirely new to surfing.
When I found out that ‘Spooked Kooks’ was releasing the Lazy Daisy, which is a model, catered to beginners on their learn-to-surf journey, I just knew I had to get one to review.
If you aren't too familiar with ‘Spooked Kooks’ they are the company behind environmentally friendly Softboards. They achieve this because all the hard plastics in their boards are made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic waste. This includes the ‘Eco slick’, leash plug, fins and fin key.
‘Spooked Kooks’ absolutely nailed the brief about whom they suggested the recommended rider is for the ‘Lazy Daisy’. This is for the laid-back beginner looking for an easy entry into the world of surfing.
The benefit of this model is that adults will never outgrow this surfboard. (I get asked this a lot when it comes to buying your first board.) Once you have the fundamentals of surfing down pat, 8 ft is the perfect length to use as a log for those small wave days.
The ‘Lazy Dasiy’s’ size run is perfect for the majority of frothers on their learn-to-surf journey. It comes in 8 Ft and 7 Ft. I personally reckon 8ft is the perfect size for adults, with the 7 ft size covering the Groms.
To read my full review of The ‘Lazy Daisy’. click here , or go to the Spooked Kooks website here.
The Beach Cruiser is safe, reliable, and easy to surf.
It is a cost-effective, stable board that is easy to paddle. The ‘Beach Cruiser’ caters to families with kids because it has a convenient carry handle that assists with hikes down to the water and soft fins to protect everyone from the dreaded fin chop.
The best quality about the ‘Beach Cruiser’ was that it allowed me to slow everything down. I could paddle for a wave and almost break down every part of my ‘ to ensure that each movement was perfect. This included my stance. If my foot was slightly off or my knees were not bent enough, I could make slight adjustments without losing a lot of momentum.
To read my full review on the 'Gnarrloo' 'Beach Cruiser', click here or Check them out at Global Surf Industries.
After a couple of surfs, I can see why the Dead Hippy is Spooked Kooks most popular model. It is an excellent mid-length at 7’0 for a more intermediate surfer or Grom, but if you are learning, I would recommend getting the 8’0 for that shorter learning curve. It has a touch of class as it turns beautifully and is super responsive. I found it a fun alternative board if you want to mix it up from your regular shortboard or fish.
This board truly shines in smaller and fuller waves, boasting easy paddling and a sweet spot that is forgiving for those still mastering the art of surfing. The vibrant colour options add to the appeal, making it a tough choice due to the aesthetic allure they all share, turning heads on any beach stroll.
During one memorable session with the Dead Hippy, experimenting with foot positioning revealed its exceptional stability. Given my less-than-perfect footwork, the board's added stability proved to be a welcome companion as I confidently moved up and down the board, which is what I enjoy trying to do riding the bigger boards and a great way to generate extra speed.
The Dead Hippie is value for money, starting at $730, with previous models still available at a discounted rate, so act fast! If this is going to be your first Surfboard, then definitely check out the FREE Learn to Surf videos that come with every purchase, as there are so many helpful tips to get you up and riding.
Read the full review here or visit the Spooked Kooks website.
I was looking at buying a cost-effective mid-length board, knowing that the pure use of this board was to just catch waves with ease and to have a bit of fun with my feet placement by moving up and down the board.
The General was the board for me. I never thought I would buy a foamie but there was two reasons this board put me over the line.
First, was the construction—the core of the board is EPS with a Plywood Stringer, so when you first grab this board, you can definitely notice a difference compared to other soft boards. It's firmer and doesn't feel like it will break straight away. You don’t have to know a lot about surfing or surfboard construction to notice this difference.
The second was the price! The 7’6” retails for $645, with fins.
I chose this length because it is a good size to throw in the back of the car, and once the grom is big enough, I can’t wait to put her on the front and give her the experience of catching waves with the safety of the soft board.
The board has a textured deck, which I was sceptical about at first. Surprisingly, it felt very grippy on the chest for paddling and had more than enough grip under the foot that I didn’t need wax.
This board is hands down one of the funnest soft boards I have ever ridden. Not the highest performing board but the most fun! I had a ball testing it out because it gave me variety for when the waves were small and let me attempt dumb stuff like riding fins first or trying to ride on my bum.
The most significant advantage Spooked Kooks has over other Softboards is that they are environmentally friendly. All the hard plastics in the softboard are made from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic waste. This includes the ‘slick’ leash plug, futures compatible fins and fin key.
I loved the UFO as a twin fin, I swapped the stock fins with a set of ‘Free Falls Cosmic Twins’ and loved it.
To read my full review on Spooked Kooks UFO, click here or visit the Spooked Kooks website.
I hope you have enjoyed my top 5 Softboards. If you have any questions, email us at creativekooks@gmail.com, as we are more than happy to help.
Awesome reviews, Southcoast Kook! Your straightforward take on the Top 5 Softboards makes it easy for anyone, seasoned or newbie, to understand. Your insights are pure gold for someone like me looking to dive into the softboard scene.
Quick suggestion: Consider protecting those fantastic softboards with a FARO surfboard bag. It's a game-changer for keeping your boards safe and sound. Happy surfing!