Takayama Wayne Lynch Boards Surfboards are still almost entirely hand made but moves to computerize the shaping are under development and are currently being used. Foam blanks with a wood stringer for strength are first planed and sanded into shape and then encased in fiberglass. Fins can be glassed permanently onto the tail or they can be made removable, such as a FCS system. This means that they can be taken out for traveling and are interchangeable, which will affect the performance of the board.
Foam boards are the type that are most commonly used by surf schools.
While they don't have the same look and feel as a regular surfboard, they are invaluable teaching tools. Any board over 9ft, also known as a log, can have one or three fins. More stable than a shortboard and less of a handful than a longboard, they can be considered good for beginners.