Which surfboard should I get – How to choose the right surfboard

Surfing is one of the most popular sports in the world. It can be extremely fun and rewarding, and it’s a great way to get exercise.

Which surfboard should you buy, though? There are a lot of different options out there, so Which surfboard should I get? How to choose the right surfboard?

In this article, James Nedock will discuss the different types of surfboards and their respective pros and cons. We will also recommend the best surfboard for you based on your individual needs and preferences.

Which surfboard should I get?

Size

The surfboard’s size is measured in feet and inches, with length, width, and thickness contributing to its volume in liters. This is the most essential consideration when shopping for a board; it determines the amount of lift your craft will have.

Beginners should focus on high volume surfboards if they are seeking optimal balance and ease on takeoff. Moreover, increased volume provides desirable agility while maintaining control during turns. As you progress in your surfing journey, try selecting boards with less volume – they’ll be more agile and helpful for speedier maneuvers.

Shape

Each shape offers its own advantages and limitations related to the types of waves it is ideally suited for. A conventional point-break design may be best for people with more expertise or less mobility, giving them more control over their craft to improve performance.

Mini Malibu: Ideal for smaller waves

The Mini Malibus is an adventurous choice for beginner paddlers, owing to its generous 6’6″–8′ length and forgiving design. Their volume makes them perfect for small waves and coastlines alike.

Fish: Short and easy to move, with a lot of space

The fish has a distinctive appearance. These boards have an expansive curvature, a swallow-tail, little to no rocker, and are comparatively short built. As a result of their shape, they boast considerable volume on their paltry lengths, making them agile as well as delightful to be around!

For experienced surfers and those with smaller builds, fish boards are an ideal choice for advanced surfing. They can also be utilized as a mid-sized transition from a mini malibu to a shorter board.

Hybrid: Quiver’s hidden weapon

Hybrid surfboards are a veritable all-rounder. They have the advantages of two different shapes because they combine the best parts of the shortboard and the mini malibu.

They have more volume, a wider nose, and less rocker, which makes them easy to paddle and fun to surf. These boards truly make for ideal companions on your adventures!

Experienced surfers will reap the benefits of opting for hybrid designs. These models perform excellently in a range of hip-high to head-high waves and have proven themselves time and time again.

Shortboard: Fast, aggressive surfing

Shortboards exhibit a pointy nose and ample rocker. They’re agile and allow you to surf with potent force—an upgrade from the mini Malibu, fish, or hybrid boards.

Longboard: Smooth surfing

Longboards typically measure more than 9 feet in length. These surfboards have a tapering nose, a square tail fin, and a large middle fin for stability. Because of its size and girth, this kind of vessel has limited handling and dynamic movement.

Paddling on a longboard is quite effortless, but the surfing style is more laid-back and harmonious than zealous and rapid. If you are seeking a board for small waves or casual exploration, then consider opting for a lengthy craft. Even though these boards have a lot of space, they are not good for beginners because they are hard to control.

Modern Surfboards and Their Structural Characterization: Towards an Engineering Approach

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/

Tail

The rear part of the board is its tail, which impacts speed, maneuverability, and command over your ride. Here are some of the most popular shapes found on back ends today!

Round: This shape is ideally suited to high-speed, choppy waves. Its rounded tail is agile but less stable than other tail forms. The spherical tail keeps you steady through prolonged spins or on calmer waves by believing in momentum.

Pin: Pintails are ideal for big wave surfing. The serrated form gives you more control when walking the line and keeping a steady pace.

Round pin: The rounded pin, a hybrid of the round and pin tails, provides stability at high speeds and traction throughout lengthy bends.

Square: Square-tail surfboards boast a squared-off end that jolts water flow abruptly at the rail. Sharpness makes your board more dynamic and helps you plan on tiny, sluggish waves.

Squash: Squash tails’ rounded sides make them perfect for watersports. These hulls are highly adaptable and can accommodate a wide range of wave encounters due to their versatility.

Swallow: The swallow tail provides an exhilarating experience of power and agility when utilized. Its capability to provide lift in the back can also prove helpful for surfers using smaller waves or less powerful surfboards.

Diamond: A harmonious blend of squash and pintails The beveled edges allow your board to zip around the course at a rapid pace, making it an exhilarating experience!

Nose shapes

The front of a surfboard is called the nose. Its shape affects how it floats and moves. There are round, round-pointed, and pointy noses.

Round: Due to its impressive nose, the surfboard boasts ample buoyancy at the front, which allows for easier paddling. Furthermore, this attribute renders it highly stable, making it ideal for those just starting out in their craft.

Round pointed: This composition balances buoyancy and quickness with its round and pointed noses. Surfboards with such profiles are more suitable for intermediate swimmers.

Pointed: High-end surfboards often boast a pugnacious nose that’s optimized for speed. They also have enough rocker for buoyancy and paddling ease. Despite its compact profile, skilled and expert riders enjoy such a forceful nose while doing water maneuvers!

How to choose the right surfboard?

As with most types of outdoor recreation, surfing requires multiple skill sets. 1. Physical fitness. One needs strength and stamina to paddle out. 2. Technical skill. One must be able to ride a surfboard. This skill varies from beginners who can barely stand on a slow small wave, to professionals who can surf large, fast, powerful and dangerous waves. 3. Cognitive skills. To catch a wave, one must get to the right place at the right time, with right of way over other surfers. Surfing requires deliberate attention and decisions. 4. Emotional skills. Surfers must remain calm and collected, not angry or fearful, despite difficulties or danger.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/

Skill level

For people who want to learn how to surf but are just starting out, all they need is one good beginner surfboard. To get one that is more stable and has enough space, you should choose one that is about 7-8 feet long, 22-23 inches wide, and 3 inches thick.

It’s very buoyant and stable, and it gives you a sense of security as you paddle up to the lineup. The extra width and weight of these boards make it easier to stand up on the wave because they are more stable.

After you’ve understood the fundamentals, you may start looking at polyester and epoxy surfboards and refining your ideal surfboard design for optimal performance. With each iteration, you’ll be motivated to keep improving and getting better at what you’re doing.

Fitness level

Surfing should get easier as you get stronger and have more stamina. If you don’t have a lot of stamina, you might want to get a bigger surfboard. Because it floats, paddling will be easier and take less energy. But this will make the surfboard less effective. Balance your fitness, your skills, and how well you do on the board.

Fitness may impact a surfer’s ability to get into the waves, so picking the correct board may help keep wave counts up. Check out our informative article to learn more about surfboard tails, rails, and noses.

This may depend on how old you are. For example, two surfers with the same level of experience might use very different boards. A 25-year-old with advanced skills might use a specialized model, while a 45-year-old with the same level of skills might choose a different design.

Most of the time, the younger surfer will have more stamina than the older surfer. Even if they’re both skilled paddlers, the elder surfer may tire sooner, so giving his board more volume may make their sessions last the same.

Height and weight

The ideal surfboard volume must be calculated based on your height and weight.

To give you the best results, the Boardcave Board Engine takes into account your skill level, age range, choice of board, and typical wave conditions when figuring out what size board you should use.

As your stature increases, so must the size of your board. To accommodate taller surfers, a longer board is crucial.

For instance, if you’re 5 feet tall and are looking for an 8 or 9-foot longboard, measure it at 3 feet more than that! This provides an estimation of how height might affect deck length; however, every surfboard will be different in shape and design.

Wave type

Wave types and conditions can vary a lot from beach to beach and even from day to day, so there are different types of surfboards to match.

• For small waves, a high-volume surfboard or fun shape is most desirable. As the sea surface gets rougher, longboards, with their strange shapes, can often be a good choice.
• A longboard, fun shape, or fish may still be enjoyable on a mushy medium-sized wave. Performance or hybrid shortboards are good for waves that are medium-sized but have a lot of power and are steep.
• For big waves, you’ll need a sturdy step-up surfboard to handle the monstrous swells, and for XXL-XL conditions, these ‘guns’ are essential.

If you want to explore a lot, having a variety of surfboards will help you be successful no matter what the weather is like.

Tips on buying a surfboard

• Don’t just go for a cool-looking surfboard; instead, select one that’s appropriate for your level of expertise. Whether you think it looks good or not, don’t expect any joyous jaunt in the lineup – if you’re caught up in an un-cool mess!
• Don’t choose a surfboard based on your friend’s (unless both of you have similar skill levels, heights, and weights, along with experience surfing in challenging conditions).
• Don’t be hesitant to ask questions! If renting a board, ask for recommended options based on your level of skill; likewise when borrowing or purchasing one. This method reduces the possibility of water fights and ensures a fun surfing experience!
• Boost your knowledge! If you’re just starting to surf or if you’re an intermediate or beginner surfer, our resource is a must-have. It details the finest beginning surfboards, expert suggestions, and how to move from a longer to a shorter board.

FAQs Which surfboard should I get

What is the best surfboard for me?

For beginners, selecting a board that is wide and thickly built is essential. This setup will make surfing the waves more stable and easier for paddlers who haven’t done it before. Also, it should be at least three feet (90 centimeters) taller than the person paddling on it to give them the most buoyancy (2 lbs/L weight to volume ratio).

What is the best surfboard for a beginner?

For beginners venturing into the world of surfing, an 8 to 9-foot foam longboard surfboard is a wise choice that offers several advantages. One of them is that it is stable and easy to use, which makes paddling and catching waves easier than on other boards. Foam surfboards are also helpful because they are easy to maneuver with!

What are the five main surfboards?

Shortboards, fish boards, funboards, longboards, and guns are the five main types of surfing boards.

Should new surfers start out with long or short boards?

For those new to surfing or for those who prefer the more elegant and fluid style of longboarding, longer boards may be a better fit. Most of the time, these surfboards are more forgiving than their shorter counterparts. This gives new surfers time to get used to standing on an unstable platform.

Conclusion

Guymac.co.nz hopes this article help you make a decision on which surfboard to buy. Keep in mind that there are a lot of different types of boards out there, so don’t feel obligated to buy the same one as everyone else. Play around with different types of surfboards until you find the one that’s perfect for you!