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NSP Funboard Elements review: the smart step down from a foamie

Best for: progressing beginners and intermediates who want easier paddling than a shortboard with more control than a longboard.

NSP Funboard Elements blue deck
NSP Funboard Elements. Image credit: NSP Surfboards.

The NSP Funboard Elements sits in the most useful part of the beginner-to-intermediate spectrum. It is shorter and more responsive than a longboard, but its fuller nose, low entry rocker and generous volume keep paddling and take-offs reassuringly easy.

Shape and construction

Three sizes cover 6’8 (42.1L), 7’2 (49L) and 7’6 (54.4L). Full rails, a single-to-vee bottom and rounded pintail create a forgiving platform with enough control for bottom turns and cutbacks. The five-box fin cluster can be ridden as the included thruster or as a quad; the quad option helps generate speed in softer surf, while the thruster gives a more settled feel when waves have push.

Elements construction wraps an EPS SecureCell core in fibreglass and a durable moulded shell, reinforced by a full-length glass stringer. It will not feel as delicate or as silky as a hand-laminated PU board, but that toughness is a major advantage for learners, travellers and boards that live in the car.

What owners say

NSP reports a 4.8/5 average from 11 public reviews. One owner called the 7’2 easy to paddle without feeling overly heavy, while another said their first hardboard “catches waves like a dream” and feels stable. A progressing surfer praised it for small-wave fun; a three-star review simply described it as a good beginner board at a good price.

“Super easy to paddle… catches waves like a dream. Super stable.”

Baldwin T., public NSP owner review

Verdict

Rating: 4.7/5. This is one of the safest hardboard upgrades after a foamie. Choose the 7’6 if stability and wave count matter most, the 7’2 as the versatile default, or the 6’8 if you already turn confidently and want a more compact board. Very light surfers may find the larger sizes difficult to duck-dive.

Availability: NSP distributes in Australia through surf retailers and its dealer network. Confirm current Australian stock and pricing with the official retailer finder.

Sources: NSP official product page and public owner reviews displayed by NSP. Image credit: NSP Surfboards.

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