surfboard blog title

Category : Surf Education

Traditional Fiberglass VS Epoxy VS NexGen… So Which is Better?

March 2nd, 2010 by Luc Stokes

One of the biggest questions I get is what’s the difference between epoxy, fiberglass, and this NexGen I’ve been hearing about?

In this post I’m gonna go through what the pros and cons to all them are so you can hopefully make a better educated decision. Read the rest of this entry »



Surfboards: Beginner to Advanced, What’s the Right Board for Your Unique Situation

February 26th, 2010 by Luc Stokes

The surfing world is not like the clothing world… one size does not fit all, everybody is unique. Beginners need something different than what an advanced surfers needs. Here are some of the shapes and categories we have that you might… or might not, fit into.

Read the rest of this entry »



Surf Etiquette, How to Handle Your Surfboard and NOT Piss Anybody Off.

December 9th, 2009 by Luc Stokes

All around the world the rules of surfing are the same. These rules are known as “surf etiquette”. Some breaks (or great surfing locations) have the surf etiquette on signs or plaques displayed prominently before you get in the water.

In this day and age of increasing “rage” with everything, there is even surf rage. Be respectful of the universal surf etiquette code to save yourself many unpleasantries. Read the rest of this entry »



Simple Tips When Choosing Your First Surfboard

November 19th, 2009 by Luc Stokes

There are so many surfboards out there that it can be really hard figuring out the right one for yourself. Picking the right surfboard is a little more involved than admiring the graphics, color, style, or the fact that it looks just like the cool dude’s down the street. There is no point buying a surfboard just like Kelly Slater’s if you can’t surf like him. Consider some of these simple tips when choosing your surfboard. Read the rest of this entry »



Change the Fin Setup on Your Fish Surfboard… See What Happens

November 3rd, 2009 by Luc Stokes

Changing the fins on a fish surfboard can dramatically change the feel and the performance of the board. The three most common types of fins for fish surfboards are twins, thrusters, and quads. Let’s see which fin setup is best suited for your style and surfing requirements. Read the rest of this entry »



Fish Surfboards. What Size Should I Buy?

October 28th, 2009 by Luc Stokes

Compared to when the fish surfboards were first designed in the 1970’s, there are now many sizes to choose from. There are now fish surfboards out there that are up to 8 foot long. What’s going to be good for you? Before purchasing your fish surfboard there are a few things to keep in mind. Read the rest of this entry »



Are Fish Surfboards Suitable for Beginner Surfers?

October 1st, 2009 by Luc Stokes

Can beginner surfers start on a fish surfboard? This is a very common question. For those of you out there contemplating the purchase of a fish surfboard either for yourself, or possibly an offspring, who is still new to the sport, the answer is a resounding… “it depends”. Let me explain… Read the rest of this entry »



What’s a Fish Surfboard Anyway & Why Would I Want One of Those Funny Shapes?

September 16th, 2009 by Luc Stokes

Fish surfboards or swallowtail surfboards refer to the tail setup of the surfboard. There are different types of fish surfboards from hybrid fish to retro fish and more. You could even have a fish tail on a longboard and you could still call it a fish surfboard.

Fish surfboards became popular back in the seventies as the world of surfing transitioned from 1 center fin to the world of more-than-one. The fish in today’s terms could have 2, 3, or 4 fins.

Fish Surfboard Tail

Fish Surfboard Tail

What makes a fish surfboard so fun and unique is that it combines a few elements. It combines the tail width and stability of a squash tail and the rail control of a pintail.

This makes the fish surfboard really easy to catch waves in small wave situations because of the wide template at the tail, but also provides great drive down line, which is very important when the waves are small. Because of this unique combination the fish surfboard makes an incredible transition surfboard for those wanting to transition from a longboard to a shorter surfboard.

Overall the fish surfboard is a blast in ankle to head high surf but lacks the hold-ability for overhead waves.



What is Surf Wax Used for and How do You Apply it?

September 8th, 2009 by Luc Stokes

Surfboard wax provides grip and traction for your feet on your surfboard. Surf wax also stops you from sliding off your board while paddling out to the waves. It is about essential to successful surfing as a surfboard and a decent wave. Of course, the other alternative to staying on your feet on your surfboard is surfboard traction pads but today we are talking about surf wax.

As the name would suggest surfboard wax is primarily made from bees wax and paraffin. Generally other substances are added to provide tropical fragrances (think coconut and the like). Read the rest of this entry »



Do I Need a Traction Pad on my Surfboard?

September 3rd, 2009 by Luc Stokes

Surfboards traction pads are designed to be stuck on your surfboard at the tail (back-end) to stop your back foot from sliding off. An alternative to a surfboard grip pad is surfboard wax. Basically you will need to use one or the other to keep yourself on the board. A surfboard without any kind of traction or grip is a bit like trying to walk on ice, you just ain’t going to stay on your feet. You will be sliding off the surfboard instead of sliding around on the wave. Read the rest of this entry »