If you've paddled out lately, you've probably noticed the same thing we have—the groms are absolutely ripping.

While the rest of us are trying to squeeze in one clean turn, these little legends are boosting airs, throwing buckets of spray and surfing like they've been sponsored since preschool. Surfing has never progressed faster, and having the right board beneath their feet makes all the difference.

At New Wave NZ Surfboards, we've spent years building performance surfboards for surfers of every age and ability. Whether your young surfer is catching their first green waves or chasing their first competition win, the right grom surfboard will help them paddle easier, progress faster and enjoy every session even more.

What is a Grom Surfboard?

A grom surfboard is designed specifically for smaller, lighter surfers. Unlike an adult board scaled down in length, a proper kids surfboard is built with dimensions that suit growing bodies, allowing younger surfers to paddle comfortably, catch more waves and develop good technique.

Just like adults need a board that matches their height, weight and ability, kids deserve equipment that's built specifically for them. There's a bit more to ordering a grom board than just a scaled down version of an adult surfboard.

The difference?

Kids never stop growing.

That's why choosing a grom surfboard isn't just about what fits today—it's about finding a board they'll continue to enjoy as their surfing improves. 

How to Choose the Right Grom Surfboard

Buying a surfboard for a growing surfer can feel like aiming at a moving target.

One minute they're barely reaching the roof racks, and six months later they've shot up another 10 centimetres.

Choosing the right size means finding a balance between performance today and room to grow tomorrow.

Get the Length Right

One of the biggest mistakes parents make is buying a board that's too small.

While it may fit perfectly now, chances are your young surfer will outgrow it before the wax has worn off.

As a general guide younger kids should ride a board taller than they are.

That little bit of extra length provides more volume, making paddling easier, wave catching more forgiving, and extending the life of the board as they grow.

Width Matters Too

A surfboard only works if your grom can actually paddle it.

If the board is too wide, they'll struggle to wrap their arms around it, making paddling awkward and tiring.

The ideal width allows them to comfortably reach over the rails while still providing enough stability to build confidence.

More Volume = More Waves

Young surfers haven't developed the upper body strength of adults.

A little extra foam helps them paddle through whitewater, catch waves earlier and spend more time surfing instead of battling the ocean.

And more waves means faster progression.

What Shape Should a Grom Surfboard Be?

Forget the marketing hype.

Unless your kid is already qualifying for the Championship Tour, they don't need an ultra-specialised design with exotic bottom contours and radical tail shapes.

Simple works.

Most young surfers spend their time riding waist to shoulder-high waves, where easy paddling and forgiving performance are far more valuable than extreme performance features.

For most groms we recommend:

• Squash tails for all-round performance
• Square tails for stability and speed
• Swallow tails for advanced young surfers looking for extra drive

A moderate rocker paired with a single to double concave bottom creates a board that's fast, forgiving and easy to turn.

Exactly what growing surfers need.

Beginner Groms

If your child is still mastering pop-ups, trimming and turning, a slightly longer funboard offers plenty of stability while helping build confidence.

Intermediate Surfers

Once they're consistently catching their own waves and linking turns, it's time to move into a dedicated grom performance board.

Future Rippers

For advanced young surfers pushing harder every session, a custom-shaped shortboard designed around their weight, ability and local waves can make a huge difference.

Why Custom Grom Surfboards?

Every young surfer develops differently.

Some ten-year-olds surf like adults.

Others simply want something easy to paddle that helps them catch heaps of waves.

A custom grom surfboard allows the board to be shaped specifically around:

• Height
• Weight
• Skill level
• Local surf conditions
• Future progression

Instead of trying to make a stock board work, a custom shape gives your grom every chance to improve faster.

Our Favourite Grom Surfboards

At New Wave NZ Surfboards, we build boards for young surfers who are serious about progressing.

Whether they're surfing beach breaks around Gisborne, point breaks elsewhere in New Zealand or chasing waves overseas, we can shape a board that suits exactly how they surf.

Some of our most popular models include:

• New Wave Grom II -  Designed for confident young surfers looking to surf harder, faster and more aggressively.

• Jay Quinn Grom Model – A versatile all-round performance board that helps young surfers progress quickly.

Every board can be customised to suit your child's height, weight, ability and the waves they surf most often.

Why a Good Grom Surfboard is Worth It

A quality surfboard won't magically teach someone to surf.

But it will make learning easier.

The right board helps young surfers paddle better, catch more waves, build confidence and enjoy every session.

More waves mean more practice.

More practice means faster progression.

That's why investing in a proper performance grom surfboard often becomes one of the biggest turning points in a young surfer's journey.

If your child is still finding their feet, a soft-top board is a great place to begin.

But once they're consistently standing up, trimming across waves and asking to surf every weekend, it's probably time to upgrade.

A custom ordered surfboard means that your grom gets to choose their own artwork & colour. They can go crazy with a fluro spray or even get an inlay printed with their own artwork or design, the sky is the limit!

Ready to order?

Whether your young surfer is catching their first green waves or dreaming of standing on a competition podium, New Wave NZ Surfboards can build a board that grows with their ability.

Get in touch with our team to discuss a custom grom surfboard, or explore our range of performance kids surfboards built right here in New Zealand.

Because every future champion starts as a stoked little grom.

Check out our GROM'S page for more surfing equiqment just for groms!