South Bay Board Co. (SBBC), a Los Angeles-based surfboard company offers a wide-ranging selection of surfboards including a line of beginner boards and a line of hybrid surfboards that integrate a soft-top deck with a bamboo/hard bottom. The outside material of these surfboards, which is what you can see when looking at them is usually made from resin.
With a lot of customer feedback like “My new favorite surfboard!” and “This is not a typical foamie that you know”, these guys are clearly doing something right! As a California-based brand, South Bay Board Co. really makes surfboards that are far more hard-wearing than other brands you can know that’s why they’re an A+ board brand.
With extremely positive reviews and at a very reasonable price, we’re proud to recommend this brand that was started by surfers, for surfers.
In this review, we provide you with a simple list of SBBC’s beginner softboard lineup and the hybrid surfboard line. Choosing South Bay Board Co. for your next board is a decision that we’re sure you will definitely not regret. So let’s quickly find out which surfboard may be right for you.
South Bay Board Co. Beginner Soft Board Line
6’0″ Guppy
The South Bay Board Co. 6’0″ Guppy Surfboard is the best beginner shape board designed with durable and lightweight EPS Closed-Cell Foam that features an EZ Carrying Handle that is perfect for kids who want to be learned how to surf one day! The 6′ Guppy has a rounded nose and a semi-squared out tail that provide maximum performance and stability. The pattern on the top deck makes it easy to spot the board while it is in the water on hot summer days. This surfboard is perfect for a large range of surfers, from beginners to those who are a little more experienced in the water.
Dimension: 6’0″ x 21″ x 3″
Can cater for weights up to 150 pounds (68 kg).
User Feedback:
- Excellent learner surfboard for kids. You can be sure to experience comfort.
- Handle in the deck is a notable feature.
- Easily use.
- Light-weight.
- Riders find it easy to fit and store in almost any car.
- Some people notice dents quite easily
7’0″ Ruccus
South Bay Board Co. perfected the design of these 7’0″ surfboards for exceptionally enjoyable surfing with a foamie. The emphasis of this style is high performance and durability suited to a wide range of surfing abilities from a beginner surfer to intermediate and advanced.
Features:
- A slim pinched in squash tail with a rubber bumper (for sharper turns and safe vertical storage place).
- Fins & Leash included.
- Slight tail rocker for additional release in turns.
- Bottom Deck has a slick HDPE surface with a complete Double Concave shaved from the nose to the tail.
- Compressed Finger Print Textured IXPE Foam Deck (You don’t need wax).
- Hand-tapered rails, beginner-friendly nose rocker to help prevent nose-diving.
Size: 7’0″ x 22″ x 2.85″.
User Feedback:
- Great for first-timers – kids.
- Works well in most conditions.
- Experienced surfers also like this board.
- We’ve now taken it out numerous times in a wide variety of conditions.
- High-performance design.
- Durable construction.
- Great price. You can easily check it before buying.
8’0″ Verve
The South Bay Board Co. Verve is a user-friendly board developed for catching waves effortlessly. It’s a great board for starting and surfs like a wavestorm on steroids for those surfers who have a bit more experience in the water.
Features:
- 3 stringers.
- Rounded rubber tail (for extra stability through turns and safe vertical storage space).
- Fingerprint textured IXPE foam deck (No wax required).
- Slick HDPE bottom.
- With closed-cell EPS core the surfboard will not absorb water over time, becoming heavier day by day as it does with other typical foamies.
Dimension: 8’0″ x 23″ x 3″.
Suits weight up to approx 180 lbs (80kg) for novices, heavier weights for more seasoned surfers.
User Feedback:
- Very stable board, so perfect for beginners trying to stand up for the first time on a surfboard
- Great in mushy waves up to approx 3 ft.
- Users rate the South Bay Board Co. Verve highly compared to other soft boards they have ridden.
- The solid construction of the board.
- Good value.
- Great float and easy to catch waves.
8’8″ Heritage Surfboard
A perfect all-rounder Longboard foamie with a round nose, squash tail, and a sleek frame. This huge foamie board catches waves early, paddles easily, and can acquire speed swiftly. Suitable for all ages and surf skill levels.
Features:
- 3 stringers.
- Squash tail with a rubber bumper (for sharper turns and safe vertical storage).
- Includes fins and leash (package available with stomp pad, board bag, etc as extra to make your surfboard design even better)
- Fingerprint textured IXPE foam deck (No wax required).
- Slick HDPE bottom.
Dimension: 8′ 8″ x 23″ x 3.25″.
Suits weight up to approx 210 pounds (95 kg) for novices, heavier weights for more seasoned surfers.
User Feedback:
- Excellent looks.
- Surfs well in anything from knee to head high waves.
- Fantastic float and very easy to paddle and catch waves.
- Great in crowded surf spots.
- Stable and forgiving – one of the excellent features for novices.
- Fast and wonderful glide through the water.
- Handles well.
- Very responsible.
- Great for a heavy surfer.
South Bay Board Co. Hybrid Surfboard Range
4’10” Huevo
South Bay Board Co.’s 4’10” Huevo Hybrid Shortboard Surfboard has an extra-wide, rounded-out nose & broadened chest area for incredible paddle power.
Developed as a small wave summer charger with a blunt and wide tail which provides more stability while still creating the feel of a loose skateboard.
Features:
- 1 x full-length I-beam wooden stringer + Bamboo strengthened bottom deck.
- Features FCS Quad Fins and leash (package available with stomp pad, board bag, etc as an extra).
- 6oz full coverage top-to-bottom layer of resin for extra durable and rigid surfboards.
- Fingerprint texture foam top deck (No wax required).
- Tapered Rails, proper nose/tail rocker for performance shortboard surfing.
Size: 4’10” x 21″ x 2.85″ (37L).
Suits weight up to approx 200 pounds (90 kg).
User Feedback:
- Super fun.
- Loose like a skateboard feel.
- Great value for the price.
- Paddles like a longboard and gets you early entry onto waves.
- Could benefit from some added reinforcement on the tail.
- Quick down the line.
- Great for travel as so small.
5’0″ & 5’5″ Big Betsy
The 5’0″ Big Betsy is one of the best short, wakeboarding designed boards you can use. It can surf ocean waves for seasoned surfers. This South Bay Board Co. surfboard has a twin fin setup.
The 5’5″ Big Betsy Hybrid is a slightly fuller shape wide rounded nose and general width through the surfboard for boosted paddle power. The broad diamond tail permits epic release in your turns and provides terrific stability and float in slower sections of waves.
Features:
- 1 x full-length I-beam wooden stringer + Bamboo strengthened bottom deck.
- Fingerprint texture foam top deck (No wax required).
- 6oz full coverage top-to-bottom layer of resin for extra rigid and sturdy surfboards.
- FCS Twin fins (5’0″) and 5 fins for quad/tri-fin (5’5″) as well as a leash (package available with stomp pad, board bag, and other products to make your surfboard design even better)
- Tapered rails, proper nose, and tail rocker for performance shortboard surfing.
Dimension: 5’0″ x 20″ x 2″.
Can cater for weights from approx 70 lbs (30 kg) to 230 pounds (100 kg) for wake surfing and approx 70 pounds (30 kg) to 170 lbs (77 kg) for surfing.
Dimension: 5’5″ x 20″ x 2.25″ (31L).
Suits weights from approx 70 lbs (30 kg) to 200lbs (90 kg).
Customer Feedback: Excellent board for going to the next level of wake surfing and affordable (5’0″).
5’8″ Mahi Fish
The South Bay Board Co. Mahi Fish is one of the most popular and relatively new boards in their lineup which is well-reviewed by many customers.
These South Bay Board Co. boards have a classic fish shape with a quad fin setup. Great volume with refind high-performance features at a reasonable price.
The board is suitable for intermediate and seasoned surfers, but customers also note it is good for kids.
Features:
- Fingerprint texture in the foam on the top wax-free deck.
- Hand tapered rails to allow the board’s edge to cut through the face of the wave.
- EPS closed-cell foam core and resin for a long-lasting look.
- Classic Fish Tail to draw out big turns and hold the high line for flowing down the wave.
Dimension: 5’8″ x 21″ x 2.75″ (38L).
Suits weights in between 50 Lbs (22 kg) and 180 Lbs (82 kg).
Customer Feedback:
- Quality construction.
- Floats well. Getting ready to enjoy your surfing time!
- One of the notable features is that you don’t need to use any wax.
- Because of little dimension, needs a little bit of wave to get going as a result probably better suited to somebody with some surf skills.
- Great for adults and kids.
- Riders find it fast and responsive in waves up to 6 feet and it will make turning look effortless in this wave condition.
- Good board for transitioning from longboard to short.
- Paddles terrific and is really simple to catch waves.
- Easy to transport.
- The best board Co. South Bay when waves aren’t big enough or powerful enough for a standard shortboard.
6’0″ Razzo
The South Bay Board Co. 6′ Razzo is a high-performance shape with excellent volume (35.5 L) for getting into waves early and easy paddling. With a tail rocker and slight nose, the 6′ Razzo from South Bay Board Co. is a surfing rocket down the line and makes small waves in big playgrounds. Real Bamboo layers are protected with a properly resined hard bottom deck with FCS Fin Boxes.
Features:
- Fingerprint texture in the foam on the top deck (No wax required).
- Hand tapered rails.
- High-Performance squash tail and thruster nose for aggressive high-performance surfing.
- The boards have EPS Closed Cell Foam Core.
Size: 6’0″ x 20″ x 2.75″ (35.5 L).
Suits weights between 50 lbs (22 kg) and 180 Lbs (82 kg).
User Feedback:
- Great looks.
- Stable but very maneuverable and high performing boards
- Fantastic comments from beginners – children and grownups.
- Excellent float and paddle power.
- Smooth and fast through the water.
- Good boards for a variety of wave dimensions.
- Surfers like the wax free deck feature
6’8″ Casper
The South Bay Board Co. Casper is a fun mid-length shape with a rounded nose with a swallowtail. This allows for easy paddling and smooth turns. It is not only one of the user-friendly boards from South Bay Board Co. but also it is absolutely not lacking whatsoever in its capacity to turn and carve down the line which is clear in the user feedback.
Features:
- Hand tapered rails.
- Rounded out nose, swallowtail, and width for added stability and fun performance.
- The boards have EPS Closed Cell Foam Core.
- Easy to paddle and entry into waves.
- Fingerprint texture is used in the foam on the top deck (No wax required).
- FCS Fin boxes with tri-fin setup.
Dimension: 6’8″ x 21″ x 2.75″ (45L).
Suits weights in between 70 Lbs (30 kg) and 200 Lbs (90kg).
User Review:
- Great looking.
- Super fun and fast down the line.
- Can make late drops into waves.
- The bamboo bottom is well finished as regular boards.
- Easy to paddle.
- Quality construction.
- No undesirable flex.
- The lower rocker and wide tail are fantastic for weak summer waves.
- Great for novices and advanced.
7’7″ Elefante
The South Bay Board Co. 7’7″ Elefante Hybrid includes one of the old school mid-length template, with a broadened out chest area for less complicated pop-ups and a pulled in tail for a looser feel on smaller waves. Including a larger single fin box with tiny side bite fins.
The company calls it the perfect summer funboard cruiser, suitable for an advanced novice to seasoned surfer seeking to get in the water regardless of wave dimension.
Features:
- Fingerprint texture in the foam on the top deck (No wax required).
- Tapered rails, proper Nose, and tail rocker for classic funboard surfing.
- Rounded out nose, swallowtail, and width for additional stability and fun performance.
- FCS Fin boxes with tri-fin Bay Board Co. South setup.
- Easy to paddle and get in the water
- EPS Closed Cell Foam Core.
Dimension: 7’7″ x 23″ x 2.85″ (57L).
Suits weight up to approx 250 pounds (110kg).
User Review:
- Goes truly well in the waist to shoulder high surf
- Value for money.
- A waxless deck is a great feature.
- Fantastic float.
9’6″ Tortuga
The South Bay Board Co. 9’6″ Tortuga Hybrid Longboard is a traditional longboard shape that is one of the more refined soft-top longboards on the surf market. At 9’6″ with 84 L volume, it is certainly buoyant however not excessively so contrasted to other soft longboards available which max out at around 9 ft. This means a more closely aligned longboard design to typical logs.
Best for intermediate to seasoned surfers.
Features:
- Classic longboard influenced shape.
- Easy to paddle.
- The boards have EPS Closed Cell Foam Core.
- Fingerprint texture in the foam on the top deck (No wax required).
- Tapered rails, proper nose, and tail rocker for traditional longboard surfing.
- Tri-fin with bigger center fin (FCS fin boxes).
Dimension: 9’6″ x 24″ x 3.25″ (84L).
Suits weight up to approx 300 lbs (135kg).
User Review:
- Excellent looking.
- Terrific build quality and durable.
- Riders well and quick.
