Why a Foamie Deserves a Place in Your Surfboard Quiver
- The Bay Surf Shop
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
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 Waves in Typical North Devon Conditions
North Devon delivers plenty of fun surf, but it is rarely textbook. Soft peaks, rolling sections and tides that dramatically change the wave shape are all part of the deal.
Foamies paddle well and get into waves early, which means:
More waves caught per session
Easier entry on fat or slow-moving peaks
Less frustration when the surf is small or inconsistent
On days when Woolacombe, Saunton or Croyde are offering softer shoulders rather than punchy walls, a foamie can be the difference between a quiet surf and a busy one.
2. Ideal for Small, Onshore or Messy Days
Not every session lines up with clean offshore winds and long-period swell. North Devon often serves up onshore chop, wind swell and mixed conditions, especially outside the peak summer months.
A foamie thrives in these situations. The extra volume helps maintain speed through flat sections and broken water, turning sessions you might normally skip into genuinely fun surfs.
It is the board you grab when conditions are far from perfect but you still want to get wet.
3. Safer in Crowded Line-ups and Beach Breaks
Soft tops are far more forgiving than traditional fibreglass boards. That matters in busy North Devon line-ups, particularly in summer when beaches like Woolacombe and Saunton are packed with learners, visitors and families.
A foamie:
Reduces the risk of injury
Is more forgiving in closeouts and shorebreak
Makes shared sessions less stressful
It is also a great option when surfing with friends or family who are still finding their feet.
4. They Help Build Better Surfing Fundamentals
Foamies encourage good habits. Without relying on sharp rails or ultra-responsive turns, you are forced to focus on positioning, timing and reading the wave properly.
They are especially useful for:
Improving paddling fitness
Learning to trim and generate speed
Practising cross-stepping or longer lines
Many experienced surfers in North Devon use foamies as a training tool, particularly on smaller days.
5. Tough, Practical and Low Stress
From sandy car parks to rocky paths and gusty cliff-top winds, North Devon can be hard on surfboards. Foamies are durable and far less precious.
You can throw one in the van and worry far less about dings and repairs. They are also great travel boards when you want something reliable that can take a knock or two.
6. Pure, No-Nonsense Fun
There is something refreshingly simple about surfing a foamie. It strips things back to catching waves and enjoying yourself, without worrying about performance or appearances.
In a place like North Devon, where conditions can be playful rather than perfect, that mindset goes a long way.
A good quiver reflects the reality of where you surf most. In North Devon and most of the UK, that means boards that work in average conditions as well as good ones.
A foamie fills that gap perfectly. It catches more waves, handles softer surf with ease and keeps sessions fun when conditions are less than ideal.
If you want to surf more often and enjoy every kind of day the North Coast throws at you, a foamie deserves its place in your quiver.
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