A surfboard – like many other sporting tools, is actually much more complex than many people think. To the common surfer who does not spend much time thinking about design one surfboard is as good as another. This is where we come in. If you are thinking about getting a new surfboard – or thinking about getting your first surfboard, it is really important to understand the ins and outs of a surfboard design.
There are several types of surfboards, all with their own style and function. The type of board that suits you best will depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to…
- Age
- Height
- Weight
- Style of Surfing you Participate in (small wave, big wave, long boarding, etc)
- Level of Surfer You Are
- What you Want Your Surfboard to Do in the Water
Besides the styles of surfboards that are available for you to choose from – which we will cover, it is important to understand the overall design and layout of a surfboard. Once you understand this aspect better you will be able to make a much more informed decision on style of surfboard that is right for you.
Surfboard Design
Lets take a look at all the aspects of a surfboard. This will give you more knowledge into what parts of a surfboard do what. It will also help you better understand the terminology.
Length
This is hands down the first thing most of us see when we look at surfboards; they come in a variety of lengths. A surfboard length is the measurement taken from the nose of the board to the tail of the board. Besides being the first noticeable thing we see when looking at a surfboard, the length of a surfboard will also determine what type of surfing you are going to do.
*The longer the board the easier it is to catch waves. Many professional surfers started on long boards, as they are much easier to ride.
Width
As with anything, after length comes width. The width of a surfboard is measured from rail-to-rail on the deck of the surfboard. Always take this measurement from the widest area of the surfboard. The width of a surfboard will directly affect the stability of the surfboard. It will also affect how easy – or hard, it is to paddle to surfboard out into the waves. Correct width for your riding level is important.
Surfboard Nose Width – The bigger the width, the easier it is to catch waves.
Surfboard Tail Width – The bigger the width the easier it will be to turn the surfboard.
Thickness
To measure thickness you will need to measure from the top of the board to the bottom of the board. Remember not the front to back, top to bottom. The thicker the surfboard is, the easier it will float. This of course will make it easier to catch waves. The thicker boards are excellent for beginning surfers. The less thick boards don’t float as well, but they are much easier to maneuver around in the wave, once you get to that level.
Other terms to be familiar with include…
Nose: The top of the surfboard, Usually comes in two shapes: pointy tip or rounded tip.
Tail: The tail is located on the bottom of the surfboard. There are several tail designs, but they are much less important for the beginning surfer.
Rails: The rails run along the sides of the surfboard from the nose to the tail.
Bottom: This part of the surfboard makes the most contact with the water.
Rocker: This is the curve of the surfboard from nose to tail. This aspect can directly affect the amount of maneuverability a surfer has in the waves.
Fins: These are found at the bottom of the surfboard near the tail area. The fins help with steering. If you don’t have fins you will be all over the place in the water.
Now that we have looked at the basic layout of a surfboard, lets take a look at the different types of surfboard designs available to choose from. The design you choose will directly affect the type of surfing you are trying to do.
Shortboard
This is the type of design you will most commonly see. It is the most popular, and is used for very high performance surfing. Professionals who hit the circuit need this type of surfboard to be able to perform all the tricks and other maneuvers they do.
This type of surfboard design is not very long at all. They usually average 5’11 to 6’5 in length, which is not very long at all. While most surfers like this design the best, a beginner will find it nearly impossible to catch a wave using this type of surfboard.
Longboard
This type of surfboard is everything the shortboard design isn’t. You can’t ride big waves with it – or I should say you shouldn’t, and it is much harder to maneuver in the water. However this is still one of the most popular surfboard designs available. The reason being that it is much easier to catch a wave and stand up on a longboard than it is on any other type of surfboard design. This type of surfboard is the design almost everyone uses to learn how to surf. Longboards come anywhere from 9-feet and up.
The Gun
The gun design is the most common design used for big-wave surfing. This type of surfboard varies in length; they come anywhere from 7-feet to 12-feet. The gun design is a very narrow surfboard that has much greater nose rocker. This allows the surfer to scream down a huge wave without the nose getting buried on the water. This surfboard has a much smaller width than the longboard, which enables good maneuvering in the wave.
*There is also a surfboard design known as the “semi-gun.” They are 7-feet to 8-feet in length. It is basically an “in between” surfboard design. Most surfers use this design when the waves are too big for their shortboard, but not quite big enough for their gun.
The Fish
This surfboard design is one that is used to catch smaller waves. There will be many days when the waves are just not big enough to ride. The fish helps solve this problem by being wider and shorter than even a shortboard. This allows the surfboard to stay afloat in really small surf.
Fun Board
If you are looking for something that is kind of a shortboard, but kind of a longboard as well, then the fun board is probably what you are seeking. The fun board is both easy to paddle and easy to maneuver in the water.
Now that you have a better understanding of a surfboard design – as well as the different designs available, you can make a more educated decision on what type of surfboard may be right for you. Whether you are a surfing pro – or an all out beginner, there is something for everyone. Get out there and have fun.