Because the earth provides an unlimited spectrum of waves, there is a diverse variety of surfboard designs, size templates, and forms. Today, companies and artisans create whatever you can think of.
Retro surfboards, hybrid models, high-performance boards, antique logs, and huge wave surfing machines are all available. Distinct forms, like practically everything else in surfing, produce in different surfing experiences.
Surfboards are continually developing, and there are several board designs for a variety of conditions. Learn about the most common forms of surfboards.
The Shortboard
Shortboards are now the most popular surfboard template in the world. If you go to a major surfing beach, you’ll see that 95 percent of the surfers are riding boards that are between 5’5″ and 6’5″ in length.
A shortboard is more difficult to paddle than a longboard, but it is simpler to duck dive. Shortboards are also simpler to turn and react swiftly in vital situations and parts of the wave. The thruster (tri-fin) system is the most popular fin arrangement used in shortboards.
The Longboards
A longboard was the first modern-era surfboard. Longboards are, as the name implies, long surfboards. Longboards are often longer than 9 feet in length, with a rounded or blunt tip, lots of front width, and broad tails.
Longboards have a large amount of foam volume and are quite buoyant. As a consequence, they’re simple to paddle and will rapidly penetrate any wave. Longboards are ideal for little surf because they plane well in sloppy summer waves.
The Fish
Fish surfboards are similar to shortboards in appearance, but they are broader from tip to tail and shorter in length. They level well and create a lot of speed on small-to-medium waves due to their width and low rocker.
Steve Lis, a San Diego kneeboarder, invented the fish model in 1967. These tiny and quick surfboards have a fish-inspired tail and are often surfed with twin fins.
The Malibu
A funboard, sometimes known as a malibu, is a cross between a longboard and a shortboard. They are popular among both beginners and experienced surfers.
They may, however, serve as a back-up alternative for experienced riders who appreciate having fun in small summer weather. Malibus are forgiving boards in ankle-to-waist height waves and normally run from 6′ to 8′ in length.
The Guns
Guns are huge shortboards used for surfing in rough situations. Pat Curren is largely regarded as the father of big wave surfing. He was among the first surfers to test Waimea Bay in Hawaii.
Huge wave guns are simple to paddle and will enter a fast, big wave quickly, but they are difficult to turn due to their size. They often have a pintail and range in length from 7′ to 12′. Big wave surfing boards have a narrow nose and are often outfitted with thruster fins.
The SUPs (Stand Up Paddleboards)
A longboard is comparable to a stand-up paddleboard, but it was influenced by traditional Hawaiian and African water activities. SUP surfers drive their boards across the water using a paddle.
SUPs are thick and broad, and are made of epoxy and fiberglass. They normally vary in size from 9′ to 12′ and are also available in inflatable form. Stand-up paddleboards may be used to surf tiny to medium-sized waves, but they can also be enjoyed in flat water environments such as lakes, rivers, and canals.
The Tow-in Boards
The introduction of jet ski-assisted large wave surfing created a need for short, thin, and low-area boards. Dick Brewer invented the tow-in type in the early 1990s, and Laird Hamilton was the first to test it.
Tow-in boards have a tiny quad or thruster fin arrangement, foot straps, and are heavier than traditional surfboards. Tow boards often have pin or swallow tails and vary in length from 6′ to 6’6″.
Final thoughts
Having the proper tools makes all the difference. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned surfer, your surfboard will decide how much fun you have in the water.
Larger surfboards (longer, thicker, and broader) are more stable and simpler to paddle, making them ideal for beginners. However, too much of it makes rounding the bend difficult. Knowing yourself – your abilities and limits – will influence the kind and amount of board you can take.