What Surfboard Size Should I Get?
The best way to pick the board that is right for you is to know the size of the board you are planning to get. Choosing the right size of surfboard is more important than other factors in a surfboard.
Before deciding to purchase a surfboard, you must check what type of board is right for your body size. Once you know the size of the board, you can start looking for a surfboard model.
The board you choose should be as short as possible. This is because short boards ride higher on the water and are easy to paddle on short waves. They are also easier to control than long boards. Long boards are quite difficult to handle on short waves.
High performance short boards are very good for people who want to learn surfing as they are easy to paddle and more stable on the water. On the other hand, long boards are good for people who swim very fast, as they do not have to paddle too much.
When it comes to the board width, it depends on where you will be surfing. A wide surfboard provides comfort and stability on the water.
But a narrow board is faster and more responsive than a wide board because of its smaller size.
If you are a beginner, it is very important to know the size of the board perfectly. You can read about board sizes and how to find the perfect size of your surfboard online.
What Are the Types of Surfboards?
Shortboards
The definition of a shortboard is a surfboard that’s between 5” and 6 feet. Surfboards in this category are very maneuverable and very popular with many surfers. The good thing about shortboards is that they are easier to carry around and fit in smaller cars. Most of the shortboards in the market today come with thruster set-ups and are ideal for beginners and intermediate surfers.
Even though shortboards are suggested for a more competitive level of surfing they might arrive to a steep learning curve for the newbies. Many surfers prefer the easier learning curve of the longboards. If you are a beginner, think about starting off with a longboard first and then switching to a shortboard later on.
Fish-style Boards
Fish-style boards, as the name suggests, were designed to mimic the streamlined body of a fish. These types of boards excel in various conditions and are quite flexible. While they are not as maneuverable as the ordinary surfboards, they still are quite nimble. Most individuals find these types of boards ideal for small waves.
In the early days, these boards were used by the fishing community as they had a flat bottom and they could be used to transport people. They could also be dragged on land or across the sand easily.
Fish-style boards are available in various sizes and shapes. They are mainly used for surfing in the waves which are below head high. You can use them as long as you have the skill to handle them.
Longboards
Smaller option with more control in the water, the longboard allows you to work your way up to bigger surf. The longboard usually measures anywhere from 9 ½ to 18 feet and is very stable. It also works well with beginners who don’t quite have the strength to paddle into larger waves. For these people, a longboard provides the added buoyancy necessary for a safe ride.
Longboards can work well with a variety of conditions, but they are best suited for just a small amount of wave. The longer body allows for a smoother ride, but it won’t catch as much water. The longboard can also be more awkward for riders to actually stand up on.
The predominant wood used for a longboard is balsa. This wood is lightweight and allows for smooth ride. Cedar is also a popular wood that is used.
Along with educating yourself about the different types of timber, you should also purchase a surfboard to fit your riding style. If you have a large amount of experience then a longboard is a good fit. But if you are a beginner you may want to try something smaller and more manageable.
SUP (Stand-Up Paddle Boards)
Because shortboard surfing is becoming increasingly popular, a growing number of surfers are now using paddle boards. This great-looking alternative to a surfboard has been around for decades now, but its popularity has grown recently due to the increasing number of people who have discovered the sport, with the average age dropping significantly.
There are now many different models of paddle boards on the market, but the most popular is the very modern, futuristic looking gun. The paddle board can be anywhere from 36 to 56 inches wide, and they come in a myriad of colors and shapes. The boards are available in the traditional black design, or they can come in many other colors, including orange, yellow, blue, and also pink board. The boards can be shaped in a wide variety of ways, from the traditional gun style, to even a shape that looks like a knee board. However, the most popular is the traditional, classic design with a point at the back and the fatter, rounder middle. The classic design has been around for decades and it works well for most surfers.
What Are the Best Surfboards for Kids?
Kids love to be on watersports. And for those of us who grew up on surfing, it's that much more fun to watch the next generation get stoked surfing.
Of course, your kids are going to need a decent surfboard that's appropriate for their size, weight (otherwise it could tip in the water!) and skill level. In this post, we'll cover the best surfboards for kids.
The ultimate goal is to have a fun time surfing with the kids. If the anxiety of making sure your kid has the right equipment gets to be too much, we understand. But finding the right board will make your kid's surfing adventure all the more memorable. So, let's get started.
The Ultimate Guide to Surfboard Sizes
In general, these are some general guidelines to follow:
Kids surfboards should be around 8 feet in length and 10 inches in width.
Kids surfboards should have a thick foam-type core made out of something like EPS and Polystyrene or other materials.
The thickness should be about 5/8 or three eights, as a general rule.
The thickness of the fins will vary depending on the board's design.
Learn and understand that the thickness of the core and the fins will vary depending on the board's design.
If you're buying online, ask the manufacturer if you're unclear about something.
Softboards
Softboards began as attempts to duplicate the performance of the more expensive, refined, and difficult to maintain hardboards.
While softboards have come a long away from the early days, they can still be prone to dings and are eventually replaced by hardboards.
The design of a softboard is generally the same as that of a hardboard, with the two critical differences an softer foam core designed for lighter riders and a pintail, instead of a full or rounded tail.
The smoothness of the wave face is important to consider along with rider-specific features such as footstrap channels.
Riding a softboard (or twin-fin surfboard) is not recommended in the surf for advanced riders with powerful leg and shoulder muscles. Advanced riders need the stability of a hardboard to keep them out of the water when they lose their balance, which happens more often than you might imagine.
Softboards are a good choice for beginners and children, so they are usually the board of choice when surfing in small surf or in calmer conditions, such as near shore.
Softboards are designed for lighter waves, but there are a few differences between designs. For example, a foam core is the primary difference between a softie and a soft top.
Mini Mal Surfboards
Mini mal surfboards are the smallest of the Malibu family and great for beginners. They offer more buoyancy so you can stand and still have a stable ride. Beginners can get away with standing up and trying to balance right away to start out and even learn.
As with soap, size matters a lot with surfboards. Well, with board design actually.
Size does not just determine what skill level a surfer can achieve, but it also greatly impacts how much they can learn, how much they can carry, the flexibility, responsiveness, and maneuverability of the board.
The size requirement and the best type of surfboard is also greatly determined by the individual surfer's age and gender.
For example, most female surfers do not want to deal with a huge and heavy surfboard.
So what are the different types of surfboards out there? The answer is pretty vast and diverse. But here are the 5 most popular:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How to choose a surfboard that will fit you and your surfing style?
The first step is to look at the different types of surfboards and the different waves they perform best in.
You can then start narrowing down the board type that's right for you based on your height, weight, and ability level.
The most popular and versatile surfboard design is the Mini Mal.
What are the different types of surfboards? In this article, you will learn the different type of surfboards, their features and the best suitability of it for beginners.
Longboards are longer in shape and design as compared to most of the shortboards. They generally are between 6 to 10 feet.
They are further categorized into extra longboards which are longer than 8 feet and shortboards which are 5 feet to 6 feet.
The Long Board is the oldest design in the surfboard history.
Shapers Make Three Types of Surfboards Called
Read more about the types of surfboards here.
Selecting your first surfboard shouldn't be difficult, but it is very important to get the right size and shape of surfboard for your height, weight, and ability level. It will improve your surfing experience and help you to progress faster.
Once you've decided on the type of board you want to start out with, use the following tips on how to select your first board.
Q: When can I use the fish-style board?
A: The fish-style surfboard is generally used by the beginners to ease themselves into the sport in its most fun way possible. This is the best starter board for you if you want to focus more on having fun on the board while mastering the basics of riding a normal surfboard. This is why many surf schools prefer this board for beginners as it provides enough surface area to catch all the waves that come while it is also friendly towards their soft learning curves.
Other than that, the fish-style board will also be ideal for those people who do not weigh too much and are pretty light.
Q: Which board type should I pick?
When it comes to surfing, the first thing that you need is a board. However, with the ocean providing you with the means, and a surfboard providing you with the mechanism, how do you figure out which board is best for you? The answer lies in choosing the right surfboard size, as choosing a board that is too small or too big can affect your general riding experience. Remember that the waves that knock you off may not get you back up, which is why choosing the right surfboard size is important.
To determine which board may be right for you, you should know what the different types of surfboards are beforehand. Once you understand the basics of each type, it’ll be easier for you to understand which type of surfboard works best for your individual riding experience.
Longboard
The longboard, which tends to be 8 feet and over, used to be known as the “fun board” since most surfers will not perform radical moves once they get a hold of a longboard, but the changing of winds and tides means that the longboard is no longer just known as a fun board. You can now use a longboard to perform a variety of moves, including cutbacks and bottom turns, and it’s ideal for beginners.