There are many things to consider when you go to purchase a surfboard. Have you surfed before? What size waves do you have access to? How tall are you? How about your physical fitness and age? The term surfboard design can encompass all aspects of your surfboard. The shape of the nose (front of the surfboard), the shape of the tail (back end of the board), the length of the surfboard, the sorts of fins, the shape of the overall surfboard, the rails (or edges of the surfboard), the width of the board, and the thickness of the surfboard.
We have many specific articles on this website covering a lot of these aspects in much more detail. This article is going to discuss the various shapes of the overall surfboard itself. There is an infinite selection of combinations that can be put together into designing a surfboard. We are going to talk about general characteristics today.
Many surfers tend to become quite specific about their likes and dislikes. Take a trip to your local beach and check out all the different sizes, shapes, and designs out there in the water. Most of the surfers on those surfboards will still be catching waves, despite all the differences you are seeing in what is under their feet.
Fish Surfboards Fish surfboards are a great purchase for the beginner surfer. The V-cut out section at the tail (back end of the surfboard) makes it easier for the beginner to catch waves. Fish surfboards are great for small to medium waves for the surfer just starting out. A more experienced surfer can surf a fish surfboard in bigger waves. Due to the design of a fish surfboard, it is worth mentioning that usually a surfer will buy one of these about 5'' shorter than what he or she would normally ride. The fish surfboard can make a slow wave seem much faster. Fish surfboards can be great fun for the surfer whose local can tend towards small and mushy. (So if you don't live somewhere where the waves are always perfect and clean, this can be a great choice.) Fish surfboards have great flotation and can make paddling onto a wave easier.
Shortboards Shortboards have less length in them, hence their name. Shortboards tend to be both narrower and skinnier. This means they are harder to paddle and have less flotation. A shortboard is generally recommended for a more experienced surfer looking to perform more radical maneuvers. Shortboards tend to be designed for the surfer who weighs a bit less, rather than a bit more. Shortboards can be incredibly frustrating for the beginner surfer. Shortboards are going to be best appreciated by the surfer with intermediate to advanced skills who has access to quality waves.
Longboards Do you fancy yourself hanging 10 off the front of a surfboard, gliding effortlessly? If the answer is "Yes", then the longboard may be for you. Longboards are designed to glide through the waves. You will not be performing any radical maneuvers on one of these. Longboards can be quite forgiving for the beginner surfer as they can be easy to paddle and to catch waves. Longboards are very stable and float well, due to the extra size. However, you can still have too much of a good thing. A really longboard still needs some technique to handle all that extra surfboard in the wave. Longboards can be customized in mind boggling varieties depending on what you want out of your surfboard. The longboard can be appreciated by surfers of all standards in all wave sizes. Longboards generally fall in the size range of 9 foot to 12 foot in length.
Mini Longboard Due to the mini longboard being shorter than a traditional longboard it will turn better as there is less surfboard. The mini longboard can also be customized depending on what sort of performance you are seeking from your surfboard. The mini longboard can be a great all rounder surfboard. This surfboard can be ridden in most surfing conditions by smaller men, women and children of all surfing standards. The mini longboard is another great choice for the beginner surfer. The mini longboard generally works best in small to medium waves.
Funboards and Hybrid Surfboards Funboards have been named due to the fact that they are designed for having fun! Funboards allow the surfer to paddle more easily, turn more easily and catch waves more easily. A great combination! Funboards can be easier for a beginner surfer to manage and work well in smaller waves. Generally, funboards are not really designed for large waves. A great choice for the beginner surfer looking for some fun on the smaller waves.
Hi im 5 foot 4 and I weigh 106 lbs. I’m intermediate getting to advanced and my 7’ foamie is too heavy and hard to maneuver, I’m looking to downsize to a fiberglass board for small/medium occasionally larger waves that will last me a while. What should I be looking at?
@John,
I hope you played football. :) I would go with a 10’ Ultimate but I would probably go 4" thick. We could definitely make this for you if you wish. Let us know. You can call the warehouse at 858-693-3692 to get it going. Cheers.
Hello i am a interemediete surfer 300 pounds and 6 foot 7 and need a long board that will last me along time even till im advanced can you build me one and what size should i be getting thanks let me know bro,cheers mate
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Luc Stokes
May 07, 2014
Hey Anna. What’s your goal with surfing? How long have you been surfing?