Softlite Foamie 8'0 review: a guest board bought for other people
Updated 2026-09-19
| Length | 8'0" |
|---|---|
| Width | 22 in |
| Thickness | 3 in |
| Volume | 68 L |
| Fin config | Thruster |
| Top speed | 15 km/h |
| Wave range | 1 to 3 ft |
The Softlite Foamie is an 8'0 foam thruster bought with one clear purpose: something to lend out to guests rather than a board for regular personal use.
What it is and why I bought it
I bought this Foamie stock in March 2015, a foam board with a curved rocker and hard rails, running a flat bottom, finished with a rounded square tail in a standard thruster setup. At 22 inches wide and 68 litres over 8'0, it carries plenty of volume, exactly what a board meant for guests and less experienced riders needs.
How it surfed
Its best wave came at Dee Why, at a top speed of 15 km/h (about 9.3 mph) over 30 metres, numbers that reflect its role rather than any limitation of the board itself. Described simply as for guests, it filled its intended niche well: a stable, forgiving board handed to visitors rather than ridden as part of the everyday rotation. The logged wave range is 1 to 3 ft, ideal at 2 ft.
Who it suits and who it does not
A wide, high-volume foam board like this suits a household that regularly has visiting or beginner surfers who need a stable, easy board to borrow. It is not a board for anyone with existing ability looking for performance, since stability and forgiveness were the entire point of keeping it.
What happened to it
It sold on 3 June 2021 for $220, against a $429 purchase cost.
Questions people ask
Why does this board have such modest speed and wave-length numbers?
It was kept specifically as a guest board, ridden mostly by visitors and beginners rather than for the kind of session that would produce a standout speed result.
What conditions suited the Softlite Foamie?
The logged range is 1 to 3 ft with 2 ft as the ideal, matching its role as an easy, stable board for less experienced riders.
Is a dedicated guest board worth keeping?
For a household that regularly has visitors wanting to try surfing, yes, a stable, high-volume foamie like this removes the risk of lending out a more serious board.
For the full spec sheet, see the sold boards list. For other beginner-friendly boards, see the MF Beastie still in the current rack. For more on choosing a first board, see which surfboard should I get.