Foam surfboards, often called foamies or soft tops, still get written off as beginner boards. In places like North Devon, where conditions can change by the hour and perfection is never guaranteed, that mindset means missing out on a lot of very good surfing. A foamie is not just something you learn on. It is a practical, fun and surprisingly useful board that earns its keep in any quiver, whether you are new to surfing or have been surfing the North Coast for years. 1. More