Softboard Surfboards Australia

Softboards have come a long way from the foam learner boards of decades past. Today's softboards are legitimate performance craft — fun, forgiving, and genuinely capable in a wide range of conditions. They're the first choice for beginners learning to surf, but they've also earned a permanent place in the quivers of experienced surfers who ride them for the pure enjoyment of it.

The soft foam deck and flexible construction make softboards far more forgiving than traditional fibreglass boards. When you fall — and you will fall — a softboard is far less likely to cause injury to yourself or other surfers around you. That safety margin makes them the ideal learning tool, particularly for kids and beginners who are still developing their balance and wave-reading skills. The added volume and stability also makes it easier to paddle into waves and find your feet, which means more waves caught and more progression per session.

For experienced surfers, softboards offer something different — a looser, more playful feel that encourages experimentation. A soft fish or mid-length is a genuinely fun board in small, gutless surf where a high-performance shortboard can feel stiff and unresponsive. Many surfers keep a softboard in the quiver specifically for those days when the conditions don't warrant pulling out the good stuff.

We stock softboards across a range of lengths and shapes — from short, manoeuvrable foamies suited to beach break to longer, more stable options ideal for beginners and smaller surfers. Brands like Catch Surf, Softech, and Ocean & Earth lead the way in modern softboard design, combining fun aesthetics with genuine performance construction.

Shop softboards at Welcome Boardstore — Australia's home for surf, snow, and skate gear.