Top 5 Softboards in Australia – 2026 Buyer’s Guide
If you’ve taken a surf lesson recently or spent time around your local surf school, you may have noticed that many surf schools use different softboards to those commonly found in retail surf shops.
Why?
For a surf school, softboards are the backbone of the business. They need to be stable, safe, beginner-friendly, and, most importantly, durable enough to withstand up to six hours of use per day, seven days a week.
Over the past 20 years, we have tested virtually every major softboard brand on the market. Based on durability, performance, safety, and value for money, here are our Top 5 Softboards in Australia for 2026.
1. Oasis Softboards
Best Value Softboard in Australia
Oasis Softboards are used by surf schools right across Australia and have earned a reputation for offering outstanding value for money.
They are safe, stable, durable, and ideal for beginners through to intermediate surfers. With proper care, an Oasis board can last between 6+ years in a commercial surf school environment.
Sizes: 5’5” – 9’0”
Price Range: $200 – $350
Why we like them:
* Excellent value for money
* Stable and beginner-friendly
* Proven durability
* Widely used by surf schools nationwide including Manly Surf School and Let’s Go Surfing in Bondi.
2. 88 Surfboards
Premium Performance Softboard
88 Surfboards are among the most durable softboards available, with many lasting 10 years or more when properly maintained.
Designed with performance in mind, they are popular among advanced surfers but are also suitable for intermediate surfers looking to progress their surfing. Many surf coaches use 88 Surfboards during advanced lessons and coaching sessions.
Sizes: Various models available
Price Range: $500 – $850
Why we like them:
* Extremely durable construction
* High-performance design
* FCS fin system
* Suitable for progressing surfers
3. COCO pepper Softboards
COCO has become a popular choice among many of Australia’s larger surf schools thanks to its balance of quality, durability, and affordability.
These boards are stable, user-friendly, and built to handle the demands of regular surf school use.
Sizes: 6’0” – 9’0”
Price Range: $200 – $400
Expected Lifespan: 3–6 years
Why we like them:
* Great value for money
* Durable construction
* Beginner-friendly shapes
* Trusted by leading surf schools
4. GSI Gnaraloo Softboards
The GSI Gnaraloo range offers a strong, stable platform for beginner surfers while maintaining excellent durability.. These boards are commonly used by surf schools and are generally built to a higher standard than many entry-level retail softboards found in surf shops.
Sizes: 7’0” – 9’2”
Price Range: $500 – $700
Expected Lifespan: 3–5 years
Why we like them:
* Strong construction
* Stable and forgiving
* Long-lasting design
* Excellent for surf school use
5. NSP Surf Wide
NSP’s Surf Wide range is designed with maximum stability in mind. Their extra width makes them ideal for beginners learning to catch and ride waves.
They are extremely durable, although the deck is firmer than some other softboards, which can result in a few extra bumps and bruises during lessons.
Sizes: 6’0” – 9’0”
Price Range: $900 – $1300
Expected Lifespan: 3–5 years
Why we like them:
* Extremely stable
* Durable construction
* Great for beginners
* Trusted by several large surf schools
Softboard Brands to Avoid
Unfortunately, not all softboards are created equal.
Many budget softboards on the market suffer from delamination, air bubbles, weak stringer construction, and poor durability. We’ve seen some boards fail within the first few months of use.
Many are also too narrow and unstable for beginner surfers, making learning more difficult than it needs to be. Based on our experience, we would avoid:
* Maddog
* El Niño
* Bombora
* Gohl
* Tahwalhi
* Body Glove
* Olaian
Our Recommendation
If you’re looking for a softboard that offers the best combination of value, durability, stability, and performance, our top picks for 2026 are:
Oasis Surf Culture
The best all-round value softboard on the market. Stable, durable, affordable, and trusted by surf schools throughout Australia.
88 Surfboards
The premium option for surfers looking for a high-performance softboard that will last for years.
Whether you’re buying your first board or upgrading from a beginner setup, both brands have proven themselves in the toughest testing environment possible — Australian surf schools.
Final Thoughts
The best softboards aren’t always the ones with the biggest marketing budgets or the cheapest price tags. The boards that survive years of daily use in surf schools are usually the boards worth buying.
After 20 years of teaching people to surf and testing hundreds of boards, Oasis Surf Culture and 88 Surfboards remain two of our favourite softboard brands for reliability, durability, and overall performance.
Happy Surfing!
Ryan Hayfield
Head Coach – Manly Surf Guide
