You ready?

Lets go…

SURFBOARD PARTS: THE COMPLETE LIST

We're going to be breaking each part of the surfboard down step by step, in detail below:

NOSE

The front part of a surfboard is called the ‘Nose’, and its shape helps to determine the overall outline of the surfboard itself.

STRINGER

The stringer on a surfboard is typically a thin layer of plywood that runs down the centre-line of a surfboard, binding together to two sides of the blank (the foam part of the board).

In recent times however, with the introduction of new advanced construction materials and methods, surfboards no longer stick to the traditional ply stringer at all times.

In fact, some surfboards have no stringers whatsoever, and some have stringers made from balsa wood running down the rails of the board too.

Regardless, the stringer has become synonymous with the centre-line of a surfboard, so whether it has one or not, you can still refer to the centreline as the stringer and get away with it.

DECK

The top of a surfboard is known as the deck, and this is where your feet will go.

There’s not too much to know about the deck of a surfboard as there are very few variables, however the one thing to look out for will be whether it’s really flat, or more curved.

Why is that important?

Well, the roll & shape of the deck will influence the surfboards volume overall, and the more advanced you get the more sensitive you’ll become to minor adjustments in shape like this.

RAILS

The rails are the sides of the surfboard.

They help the surfboard to grip into the waves face as you ride along it, and they impact the way a surfboard turns. 

Here are the different rail shapes to look out for:

You also get what's known as hard rails - where there is a hard sharp edge, and soft rails - where the rail is fully curved.

TRACTION PAD

Although not a part of a surfboard's anatomy as such, with so many surfers choosing to use a traction pad I couldn’t avoid adding it to this list.

A traction pad is a foam-based pad that surfers attach to their surfboards for extra grip. 

Most surfers will opt to ride with a Tail Pad (a pad just for their back foot), although it is possible to get full deck traction pads too.

LEASH PLUG

A leash plug is an accessory that is inserted into a surfboard during the manufacturing process.

The plug serves the purpose of attaching a surfer to their board via a leash. 

Insignificant at first glance, but an important part of a surfboard for sure.

LEASH

A leash is a chord that attaches a surfer to their surfboard to stop it from floating away during a wipeout.

They come in different sizes and thicknesses depending upon the equipment you’re riding.

TAIL

The tail is what surfers refer to as the very back of a surfboard, and they come in lots of different shapes and sizes - purpose built for a certain feel, or way of surfing.

The type of tail shape you choose to ride will vary depending upon your ability, and they type of waves you like to surf.

Here are the most popular:

FIN PLUGS

Just like the humble leash plug above, fin plugs too are added to a surfboard during the construction phase.

In times gone by, surfers would have fixed un-removeable fins, fiberglassed onto their boards.

However in recent times - with advancements in technology - surfboards are almost exclusively made with removable fins today.

The two fin systems that have the monopoly of the market are: FCS & Future Fins.

Both have their pros and cons, but in all honesty they’re much of a muchness.

FINS

Fins attach to the bottom of a surfboard at the rear, inserted into the fin plugs. 

They help a surfer to pivot and turn their boards, and to hold speed and drive through turning manoeuvres. 

They come in a bunch of different shapes and sizes, and will vary depending upon your size, weight, and the type of surfing you’re looking to do.

Here’s what to look out for:

SURFBOARD FIN ATTRIBUTES

SURFBOARD FIN SETUPS

CONCAVE

Concaves represent the contours that shapers craft into the base of a surfboard. 

The ebbs, flows and different shapes effect the way water moves under a surfboard when riding a wave - having a surprisingly big impact on how a surfboard performs.

Here’s a list of the different types of concaves and what to look out for: 

ROCKER

Rocker refers to the overall curve that a surfboard has from tail to nose.

The size of the rocker will impact the speed of a surfboard and its ability to turn.

Generally speaking, a surfboard will have a nose rocker, and a tail rocker, with a flat section in the middle to help the board plane.

As a quick rule of thumb:

Nose Rocker: Big = Slower, and more forgiving. Small = Faster, and less forgiving.

Tail Rocker: Big = Slower, more extreme turns. Small = Faster, less extreme turns.

EPOXY OR PU

Epoxy or Pu refer to the material construction of a surfboard.

Eash has their own pros and cons, and your choice will vary depending upon the type of surfing you want to perform, and your expectations.

Here’s a breakdown of each:

PU

PU surfboards are made with a foam blank with a stringer that is shaped, then covered with fiberglass and polyester resin. This type of surfboard is popular because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to repair. PU has been the construction of choice for decades, up until recent advancements in Epoxy alternatives.

EPOXY

Epoxy surfboards are made with a lighter foam blank (with, or without a stringer) that is shaped, then covered with fiberglass and epoxy resin. The epoxy resin is stronger, lighter and more durable, although it does have some trade offs - notably in their ability to flex. 

Because of the additional complexities of shaping epoxy surfboards they tend to be more expensive overall, however as mentioned above, they are far more durable.

BOTTOM

This is a bit of weird one…

We have loads of flashy names for all the other parts of a surfboard, yet for the under side, we have none.

So, the bottom of a surfboard is called, well, the bottom.

#needtogetmorecreative

WRAPPING IT UP

If you’ve ever been unsure about the anatomy of a surfboard, what each part is called and what they do, hopefully this article has cleared all that up for you. 

Moving forward you should be able to hold your own in any surf related conversation no matter how nerdy it gets.

You can thank me later…

Yew!

Rowan

Is it all same, same? Or is there actually a difference?

Keep reading to find out.

But first…

WHAT IS A LEASH?

A leash is a urethane cord that surfers use to attach themselves to their surfboard to stop the board floating away when they fall off.

One end of the leash attaches to the ankle via a velcro strap called a ‘cuff’, and the other attaches to the leash plug at the tail of the surfboard with a thick string (known as a leash string).

Leashes come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses to suit different surfing conditions and board lengths, so it’s important to make sure you select the appropriate size. 

PARTS OF A LEASH

QUICK RELEASE STRAP: For removing strap fast if leash gets stuck around rocks, etc.

CUFF: Fastens the leash around a surfers ankle

RAIL SAVER: Protects the rails of a surfboard from damage caused by the cord.

LEASH STRING: Attaches the leash to the leash-plug on a surfboard.

SWIVEL: Stops the leash from tangling up in knots.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD SURF LEASH?

A good leash will be durable, reliable, trustworthy, and hopefully not get tangled in your toes too often (easier said than done…).

So when hunting out a new leash be on the lookout for the following:

QUALITY

A leash is a safety device and not something that you want to skimp on. Invest in quality wherever possible.

DOUBLE SWIVEL

A swivel helps to stop your legrope from getting tangled up. Having a double swivel (one at your ankle, and one attaching to the rail saver) will keep tangling to a minimum.

RAIL SAVER

Believe it or not, but a leash cord can cut through the rails of your surfboard with enough pressure. That’s combated however with a rail saver, a thick nylon strap that attaches the urethane cord to the board.

STRONG VELCRO

The velcro is often the first thing to deteriorate on a leash, so choose something that’s hard wearing and strong.

DO I NEED A SURFBOARD LEASH?

If you’re new to surfing then yes, absolutely you’ll need a leash. 

If you’re an advanced surfer, are in complete control of your equipment, and virtually never fall off, then sure, you’ll be comfortable surfing without a leash.

But for the rest of us mere mortals, wearing a leash at all times is a good idea.

HOW THICK SHOULD MY SURFBOARD LEASH BE?

Leashes generally come in two thicknesses: Competition or Regular.

SURFBOARD LEASH LENGTH CHART

As a rule of thumb, choose a leash that is roughly the same size as the board you’re riding:

WHICH FOOT DOES A SURFBOARD LEASH GO ON?

Regardless of which surfing stance you are, your leash should always be attached to your back foot.

BEST LEASH BRANDS

If you’re on the hunt for a new leash, these are some of the best surfboard leash brands at the moment:

WRAPPING IT UP

By now you should know exactly what legrope you need for your board, which one to choose, and why.

My one word of wisdom for what it’s worth is to invest in quality.

Sure, it’ll be more expensive in the short term, but that investment could save your life one day.

So see it as a safety investment rather than an annoying expense and choose the best one you can afford. 

Yew!

Rowan

And a whole bunch more...

WHAT IS A TRACTION PAD?

Traction pads, aka 'deck grips', or 'deck pads', are an alternative to surf wax used by surfers to add grip to their surfboards to stop their feet from sliding off. 

Traditionally made from EVM foam, surfers attach these traction pads to the deck of their surfboards.

Traction pads are most commonly used exclusively on the tail of the surfboard (known as tail pads), however, it is possible to get deck grips for the front foot too. 

A deck pad set-up with both back and front traction pads is known as a ‘full deck grip’.

DO YOU NEED A TRACTION PAD ON A SURFBOARD?

No. Traction pads are not essential to riding a surfboard, however many people prefer surfing with them.

Prior to their invention surfers would use surf wax exclusively, which is more than adequate, however traction pads do offer a number of advantages (more on that in a minute).

SURFBOARD TRACTION PADS VS WAX

Traction pads or wax? Which is better?

Lets take a closer look at each:

TRACTION PAD

SURF WAX

DO YOU NEED WAX WITH A TRACTION PAD

The answer is, it depends.

If you’re riding a full deck grip you should be ok without any wax, although even in these circumstances surfers will add additional wax to any areas that may need it just in case.

However, more commonly, surfers will ride with a tail pad only.  In these circumstances you’ll absolutely need to add wax to the rest of the surfboard for traction. 

TRACTION PAD PLACEMENT

Ok, I’ve seen some pretty wacky traction pad placement in my time, with bad placement being the hallmark of kookiness in the sport. 

So, use the placement guides below to make sure you get it right.

TAIL PAD PLACEMENT

As a rule of thumb, the tail pad should be placed as far back as possible, over the back centre fin.

Why? 

Well, the further back you can place your back foot through turns, the more drive and power you’ll have as a result.  

FRONT PAD PLACEMENT

The placement of a front traction pad serves two purposes.

1. It’s needed for traction under foot when riding a wave.
2. It’s required for traction when paddling. 

This means that it not only has to be placed where your front foot usually goes, but also needs to be placed such that your chest can grip the board when paddling too.

To find out where this location is, lie on your board without fins on.

Take note of your paddle position, as well as your feet position after pop up, then mark this zone with a pencil for reference.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TRACTION PAD FOR A SURFBOARD?

There are a few different traction pad designs that may influence your decision as to which is right for you. 

Here’s what to look out for:

ARCH BAR: An arch bar is where the centre piece of the tail pad will be raised to fit into the arch of your foot. 

FLAT GRIP: A flat deck grip will have no arch bar to speak of and be flat throughout.

NUMBER OF PIECES: Some grips will come as a single piece, and some with as many as 5 pieces or more. 

The number of pieces adds no performance enhancements whatsoever, but is just a case of personal preference.

GRIP SIZE: Deck grips will come in different sizes - width's & heights - so be sure to get the right fit for your board.

At the end of the day, traction pads are 'much of a muchness' if you ask me.

Sure, the brands will likely be trying to sell you on the newest innovation, but in all honesty, they're all pretty much the same, and do just as good a job as one another. 

It's mostly down to personal design preferences more than anything.

My one caveat though is the arch bar, this'll likely be the one thing that you'll notice most, and for what it's worth, I always prefer grips with an arch bar over flat ones.

Make of that what you will.

HOW TO INSTALL A SURFBOARD TRACTION PAD

Below is a step by step guide to installing a traction pad on a surfboard:

STEP 1: REMOVE WAX, DIRT & GRIME

The first step is to make sure you’re working with a clean surface, so be sure to remove all wax, dirt, and grime.

This can be done using a wax remover, or alternatively white spirits or turpentine will do the job just fine. 

STEP 2: ROUGHEN IT UP

Glue naturally adheres better to rough surfaces, so you’ll want to give your board a super light once-over with sandpaper to roughen things up ready for application.

STEP 3: LINE IT UP

Grab yourself a pencil, and without removing the adhesive covering, lay the traction pad on top of your surfboard. 

Make sure it’s centrally aligned down the stringer of the board, and make sure that the kick-pad is as far back as possible over the back fin. 

Once in place, mark out the edges with pencil.

STEP 4: CENTRE FIRST

Most traction pads come in three parts: One centre piece, and two sides. 

Align the centre piece first, then remove the top part of the adhesive tape, making sure not to remove it all at once. 

Bit by bit, remove the adhesive tape and stick the deck pad to the board and apply lots of pressure - being careful to avoid any air bubbles in the process. 

Continue this until the whole piece has been applied. 

STEP 5: NOW FOR THE EDGES

With the centre piece firmly in place and perfectly aligned, continue the same process with the two side pieces. 

STEP 6: THE WAITING GAME

Once applied, wait 24hrs for glue to dry before taking in the water.

*The recommended drying time is 24hrs, however most pro’s will typically slap a deck pad on and hit the surf instantly, so use the 24hr dry time as a guide if you can, rather than the rule.

WRAPPING IT UP

Deck pad, or no deck pad?

In truth, it’s all down to personal preference, with most people opting for a tail pad only setup, with wax on the rest of the board, but there is no right or wrong.

Different strokes, for different folks, hey!

Anyway, I hope this article answers all your questions and concerns, and for what it’s worth, I ride both a tail pad & wax setup, plus dabble in the full deck pad setup too. 

Just in case you wanted know...

Yew!

Rowan

WHAT DO BEGINNER SURFERS NEED?

Beginner surfers need only start with the essentials. 

Sure, there’ll be the desire to get all the best kit straight away, but in all honesty, just the basics will do at this point. 

You can use the checklist below to see what you need.

SURFING EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

WRAPPING IT UP

You don't need everything on this surfing equipment list, but you'll definitely need all of the essentials. 

Sure, it's a bit of an upfront cost to get started, but once you've made the investment, the ocean is free to enjoy from there onwards.

A one time fee that'll keep paying you back each time you hit the surf.

Anyway, if there's anything you think I missed from this equipment list let me know in the comments and I'll add it to the post.

Yew!
Rowan

And a whole lot more.

You ready? 

Let’s go.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A SURFBOARD

Buying a new surfboard is a pretty big decision, with some pretty big consequences. 

Get thew wrong board and you’re stuck with a dud. Something that’ll zap your love and enthusiasm out of the sport. 

Get on the right board however, and you’ll fall in love, and progress quicker than you ever thought possible. 

BUDGET

Everyone has different budget expectations, and this will factor into the equipment you’re able to choose from.

As with everything in life, you generally get what you pay for, so be discerning when shopping for surfboards at the lower end of the price spectrum - especially those sold in retail giants like Kmart, or Wallmart etc. 

Yes they’re cheap, but they’re terrible quality too, so I’d avoid these like the plague if I was you.

Generally speaking, you’ll need to invest a minimum of around $300+ to get yourself on something that is fit for purpose. 

GOALS

The type of surfboard you should get will also depend on your surfing goals too. 

Understanding your goals and objectives will help to decipher which type of surfboard you should get.

ABILITY

Probably the biggest factor of all when determining what size surfboard you should get is your ability.

Not the ability you aspire to be at, but where you’re at right now.

If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll be able to get yourself on the right surfboard for max progression (which is what you want right?)

But if you’re overly optimistic, and are a little over zealous in your perception of your ability right now, you’ll undoubtably make a bad purchase decision, and find yourself on a board that holds you back.

Be honest, be humble, and you’ll be sweet.

WHAT IS A GOOD SIZE SURFBOARD FOR BEGINNERS

If you’re just starting out, bigger is better - by far.

You’ll catch more waves, learn faster, and have a whole lot more fun in the process.

As a rough guide you’ll want to get yourself on a surfboard that's 8ft+ (9ft preferably).

Also, avoid hard resin-based surfboards at this stage.

They’re heavy as hell, harder to surf, and can do a lot of damage if they hit you too.

Instead, stick to soft-top, foam based surfboards until you're ready to progress.

WHAT SIZE SURFBOARD SHOULD I GET FOR MY HEIGHT AND WEIGHT?

The size surfboard you should get will vary dramatically depending on your height, weight, and ability too.

To help you in making the right purchase decision, use the surfboard size chart below as a guide:

COMMON MISTAKES WHEN CHOOSING A NEW SURFBOARD

Alright, getting a new surfboard is a big decision, so be sure to avoid these oh-so common mistakes:

TOO SMALL TOO QUICK

We see it all the time in our surf school, students riding surfboards that are too small too quick.

The result?

They don’t catch any waves, and they don’t get any opportunity to practice any of the rad stuff that we teach them.

The most common mistake by far. 

FASHION OVER FUNCTION

I get it, we all want to look the part, and no one wants to look like a kook, right?

Which is why all too often surfers will choose fashion over function, and get the board that looks nice, but is a terrible match for their ability.

If your goal is to get better, choose a surfboard that’s going to help you get there.

If your goal is to just look cool, by all means go nuts and drop the cash on the next bright shinny object, just don't say I didn't warn you...

SHAPE MATTERS

Surfboard volume is one thing, but the actual shape of the surfboard plays a much bigger role than people give it credit. 

Wider, thicker surfboards will give you more stability and paddle power.

Thinner surfboards will do the opposite. 

Put simply don’t just go on volume alone, be sure to select a shape that’s conducive for your level too.

BEING A TIGHT-ARSE

Surfboards aren’t cheap, I get it…

…but, god damn they give you a whole lot of joy.

So, if you can afford it, try not to skimp on quality wherever possible.

Your surfboard is going to be with you for a while, and you want to make sure it’s fit for purpose, and is something you’re going to love riding.

Think of it as an investment in yourself, and choose accordingly.

WRAPPING IT UP

Being on the right size surfboard will speed up your progression, 100%.

It’ll help you to catch more waves, and perform better when you’re on them too.

Just don’t make the mistake of jumping on a board that’s too small, too flashy, too quickly.

Not unless you want to stagnate your progression that is.

Do yourself a favour, be honest with where you’re at, be modest, and get yourself on a surfboard that’s going to help, not hinder your progression.

Onwards and upwards.

Yew!

Rowan

And much more.

Read on, and all will be revealed…

HOW DOES THE SHAPE OF THE TAIL AFFECT A SURFBOARDS PERFORMANCE?

The tail-shape of a surfboard affects the way the board interacts with the waves face, and the water flowing through it.

Wider, thicker tail shapes have more surface area and help the board to float and create lift - allowing the surfboard to plane over the surface of the water more easily.

The wider and thicker the tail of a surfboard is, the more stable and more floatation it’ll have.

However, with all that extra buoyancy and stability comes a trade-off in manoeuvrability, with wider, thicker tails making it more difficult to transition from rail to rail and turn.

Thinner, narrower tail shapes have less surface area and buoyancy - this allows the tail to grip into the wave, and makes them more manoeuvrable as a result.

But, (you guessed it) they make the board much less stable and harder to ride in the process.

As with everything in surfboard design there’s a constant tradeoff between manoeuvrability and stability.

DOES THE TAIL SHAPE MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE?

Yup, damn right it does.

More so the width and thickness of the tail than the actual tail shape itself (more on the different tail shapes in a minute).

Why does it impact things so much?

Well think about it, we’re all at different stages in the surfing cycle and we all have different requirements in our equipment to help us surf to our potential.

For example, if you’re a beginner and you’re riding a board with a super narrow tail you’re going to really struggle for stability, and it’s going to hold back your progression.

Likewise if you’re an experienced surfer and you’re surfing a board with a big wide tail, you’ll find it very difficult to turn and manoeuvre, hindering your ability to perform.

THE FOUR PRIMARY TAIL SHAPES

There are and endless number of different surfboard tail shapes, but all stem from four primary categories.

THE SQUASH TAIL

The squash tail is the most common tail shape you’ll see.

A blend if you will of the square tail and the pin tail, the squash is the all-rounder and tail shape of choice for most surfers in small to medium waves from 1-6ft.

The squash tail combines the large surface area of the square tail for stability and float, alongside the curved edges of the pin for grip and manoeuvrability.

The go-to tail shape for most surfers in most conditions for sure.

THE SWALLOW TAIL

The swallow tail is a great choice for small wave surfboards, marrying floatation and manoeuvrability very well.

The swallow allows for a wider tail shape, yet the pointed corners create grip, helping the board to turn.

A good choice for speed and stability, alongside the ability to turn.

THE ROUNDED TAIL

Round tail surfboards are generally used in heavier, more challenging waves.

As speed is no longer an issue, instead the surfer is now looking for grip instead.

And with the pulled in nature of the rounded tail, a surfer is able to maintain grip into the waves face yet still maintain manoeuvrability

THE PIN TAIL

Pin tails are reserved exclusively for bigger waves.

With big waves performance surfing goes out the window, and instead the sole focus is entirely on grip and straight-line speed.

OTHER TAIL SHAPES OF INTEREST

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TAIL SHAPE FOR YOU?

The right tail shape for you will depend on the types of waves you like to surf, your ability, and the type of feel you’re looking for.

Here’s a quick guide to help you out.

The width and thickness of the tail you should choose will depend on your ability.

If you’re a beginner go for a big, thick, wide tail for maximum float and stability.

If you’re an intermediate to advanced surfer you can afford to scale things down and ride thinner more refined tail shapes for increased manoeuvrability. 

WRAPPING IT UP

There are a whole heap of different surfboard tail shapes out there to choose from, each with their own unique flavour and feel.

But don’t get hung up on the intricacies. 

Put simply, wider, thicker tails are for smaller waves, and thinner, narrower tails are for bigger surf.

And intermediates…

Well, you guys are somewhere in between

Yew!

Rowan

*Got more questions? Chuck'em in the comments below

And a whole lot more.

Ready?

Let's go!

WHAT IS VOLUME IN RELATION TO A SURFBOARD?

Volume is the measurement of a three-dimensional enclosed object - like a surfboard.

It refers to the amount of water it would take to fill the enclosed space and is measured in litres. 

And, more importantly to surfers this same metric tells us how much water the object (surfboard) disperses when submerged too, and this is a damn handy metric to use when buying a new board as you need the right amount of volume to keep you afloat.

WHY IS VOLUME IMPORTANT?

The volume of a surfboard dictates its buoyancy, and it's important because this buoyancy is what helps you to float.

If you're riding a surfboard without enough buoyancy for your level you're simply going to sink and not catch any waves, and likewise if you're riding a board with too much buoyancy you'll find it clumsy, unresponsive and hard to manoeuvre. 

So getting the volume right on your surfboard is super important.

BUT, SURFBOARD VOLUME ISN'T EVERYTHING...

Let me explain.

You see, surfboard volume has only really been a term thrown around since the inception of machine shaped boards (because it's pretty hard to calculate the volume of a surfboard, more on that in a minute).

Up until that point however, it was all about these three metrics instead:

And these three factors - alongside volume - play a HUGE roll into how a surfboard will perform.

Think about it this way:

You could have two surfboards that are both 30 litres in volume.

One is 6ft x 19" x 2.5"

And the other could be 4'10" x 25" x 4"

Pretty different right?

Sure, the volume of your surfboard is very important, but only when considered as part of the whole, so try not to make it the only metric you use when trying to choose the right surfboard.

HOW MANY LITRES SHOULD MY SURFBOARD BE?

The number of litres your surfboard should have depends on a number of different factors, so before we can determine how many litres you should be looking for, let's break these down a little first.

ABILITY

The amount of volume (number of litres) you should ride depends on your ability.

A beginner surfer requires lots of volume & buoyancy as they look for equipment that has lots of floatation and stability.

Likewise an advanced surfer on the other hand - with more refined skills - has less need for floatation and stability, and is instead in search of equipment that's responsive and manoeuvrable which generally comes hand-in-hand with a drop in volume.

So be honest with your ability, and choose a board with the right volume for you. Check out the surfboard volume chart below for more.

YOUR WEIGHT

The heavier you are the more volume you'll need in your equipment to help it float.

THE CONDITIONS

The type of wave you're looking to surf will play a big role in the volume of your surfboard.

In small, gutless waves, you'll want a little extra volume to help you get going and to stop the board from sinking.

Whereas in more powerful surf you can forgo that extra volume as the wave has the energy to keep your board planing easily.

So consider what type of conditions you surf on a regular basis when deciding on a board.

*Pro tip: For a small wave board add an extra three litres to what you'd normally ride.

SURFBOARD VOLUME CHART

The best way to measure volume in relation to all of the above is to use a percentage ratio (it's not perfect, but it's a good indicator).

Here's how it works:

Take your weight in kg's and place it against the volume of your board to calculate a percentage.

Example.

Surfer weight = 100kg  |  Surfboard volume = 50ltr

Percentage = 50%

Take now a surfer that weighs 50kg on the same 50ltr board and you'll get 100%.

We recommend the following percentages depending on your ability:

Use the surfboard volume chart above to plot your weight and ability as a guide for gauging the right volume for your level.

WRAPPING IT UP

Hopefully by now you've got a really good idea of what this whole surfboard volume jargon is all about.

You should understand where you stand with your level and how it relates to the number of litres you should be looking for, and how it effects the surfboard purchase decisions you make moving forward.

Yew!

Rowan

WHAT IS SURF SKATING

Surf skating is a form of skateboarding that replicates the experience of surfing on a wave in the ocean, on dry land.

And because it’s an activity that can be done irrespective of the elements, it’s something that you can practice again, and again, allowing you to refine, repeat, and perfect your technique until you get it right.

What’s more, unlike surfing the ocean with its ever changing canvas (literally no two waves will ever be the same), the surface whilst you’re surf skating will always be the same.

And it’s this consistent learning environment that allows you to make big improvements, fast.

IS SURF SKATING HARD?

Surf skating isn’t hard par-se, but it is something that’ll take a little getting used to.

If you’re someone that has some skating experience already, and you surf too, you should find the transition relatively straight forward when learning the basics.

But getting good at surf skating however is a different story, and will take considerable practice to perfect.

DOES SURF SKATE IMPROVE YOUR SURFING?

Yes, surf skating does improve your surfing.

It helps because it gives you the opportunity to replicate and refine the body mechanics of what you do in the water consistently. 

As these movements are practiced on dry land they’re internalised, and when you hit the water the body is pre-programmed to move in the right ways, taking things out of your head and into instinct.

Surf skating won’t improve your surfing however if you don’t actually go surfing often, because even though there are many similarities between the two, there’s still no supplement for the real thing.

Think of it as an accelerator…

In and of itself it won’t help you improve, but when combined with regular surfing it’ll accelerate your surfing progress for sure.

ARE SURF SKATES GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?

The short answer is yes, surf skates are good for beginners.

But in truth, it’s a little more nuanced than that.

Here’s why.

You see, most of the movements that are made on a surf skate generally replicate the movements of a more advanced surfer, things like pumping for speed, big bottom turns and cutbacks - yet as a beginner surfer, these types of manoeuvres are not quite in your repertoire just yet.

So does that mean the surf skates are no good if you’re just a beginner?

Nah, not at all.

With most of us spending the majority of our time sitting at a desk, or lying down, at the very least they’re going to help with your balance and agility in general - keeping you mobile and active.

And at best they’re going to prep your body mechanics in the right way for when you’re ready to tackle more advanced manoeuvres down the track.

WHAT ARE THE BEST SURF SKATE BRANDS?

Buying the right surf skate can be a bit of a labyrinth if you’re not sure what to look for, so below I’ll be dissecting the best surf skate brands, and what to expect from each:

SMOOTHSTAR

Designed in Australia, Smoothstars are definitely one of the best surf skate brands out there.

Endorsed by top rated surfers like Filipe Toledo and Johanne Defay these boards really do a great job of replicating the surfing experience on land.

Smoothstar surf skates are built for one thing, and one thing only, and that's replicating surfing on land.

And in this department, they're top of the pack for sure.  

One thing to note though is that they're very shortboard focused, so the feeling you'll get riding these boards is that of a performance shortboard.

So if you're a longboarder looking for a slightly different sensation then these probably aren't for you.

But if you're a shortboarder however, and you want the most real surf-like experience you'll find Smoothstars hard to beat.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://www.smoothstar.com/

SLIDER

Sliders are manufactured in the Basque region of Spain (damn I love that area), with much of the production of parts happening in and around the area too which is a rarity, as almost everything else is made in China.

Sliders are a real good hybrid between surf skate and cruiser.

They have the manoeuvrability of a surf skate - the ability to pump, carve, and do cutbacks - but they're also easy to push too.

If I had to pick one board as an allrounder I'd pick the Slider.

It's epic for just cruising around, checking the surf, and all that good stuff.  And they're sick for riding the skateparks too.

So if you're looking for an all-rounder then this is the board for you.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://slidesurfskates.com/

CARVER

Carver surf skates were the first brand to really focus on delivering a surfing experience on a skateboard.

Designed and tested in America they have a deep history in the sport and a huge range of options to choose from.

Carvers are built for mass market, which is great because they're certainly cheaper than some of the other brands, but with that comes a drop in quality.

Sure they're epic to get started with if you've never skated before, and they're decent at mimicking surfing too, but they're just not quite there in comparison to some of the other surf skate brands out there.

Good as an allrounder, also for someone that doesn't want to drop top dollar on new equipment too.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://carverskateboards.com/

SWELL TECH

Swell Tech is kinda the new kid on the block, and they're certainly shaking things up.

Endorsed by Jamie Obrien, they've taken a unique, novel approach to their truck design that from the outside in looks incredible.

In truth I've never tried a Swell Tech Surf Skate so it's hard to have too much of an opinion.

But from what I can see from the video footage of these boards they look like the real deal, and a great option for replicating the surfing experience.

They look a little bit strange in the way they ride if I'm honest, but like I said I've never ridden one myself so I'll reserve any opinions until I've given them a test drive.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: https://surfskate.com/

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SURF SKATE AND A CRUISER?

Surf skates and cruisers may look very similar on the outside, but they're actually quite different when you get into the nitty gritty of it all.

CRUISER SKATEBOARDS

Cruiser skateboards are designed for cruising down hill, carving from side to side, and are great for riding along smooth flat surfaces too.

The front and back trucks are fairly traditional and are both constructed in the same way (surf skates are quite different in this regard).

They’re great for cruising from place to place, but they don’t replicate the feel of surfing all that much.

SURF SKATES

Surf skates are designed with one purpose in mind - to replicate the feeling of surfing. This makes them great for pumping around on flat surfaces and pump tracks, but they're not so great riding down steeper hills.

The reason for this is the way the trucks are constructed, with the front truck being incredibly loose making riding at speed more of a challenge as speed wobbles come into play.

Surf skates are amazing at one thing - mimicking the feeling or riding a wave, but generally speaking they’re not so good at riding from place to place as generally speaking speed is generated without pushing (speed is generated by pumping instead), which can be strenuous riding long distances.

WRAPPING IT UP

Surf skating is a craze that has swept the world over in recent years, and for good reason.

Will it help improve your surfing?

Damn right it will.

So what are you waiting for!

Whereas shortboards range in size from around 5ft to 7ft, longboards traditionally start being ‘Longboards’ from 9ft+.

SHAPE

Longboards are built for cruising and stability, and as such, they have a wide, curved outline, with thick rails for extra volume.

Shortboards on other hand are built instead for speed and manoeuvrability, and they tend to be pointier in shape, and not as thick too.

FINS

Most Longboards are ridden with either one big central fin, or a big central fin with two small trailer fins on each side. 

Your fin-setup of choice will depend on the style of longboarding that resonates with you, with nose-riders preferring the single fin approach, and performance longboarders opting for a three fin setup.

Shortboards on the other hand have much smaller fins with a variety of setups for different conditions from two fins, all the way up to five.

If the topic of fins floats your boat go check out our Surfboard Fins: Ultimate Guide for more.

LONGBOARDING VS SHORTBOARDING: WHICH IS BETTER & WHY

It’s an age old debate that in truth has no conclusive answer, but let’s take a look at the pro’s and con’s of each so that if you’re sitting on the fence, at least you know what you’re getting yourself into.

LONGBOARDING VS SHORTBOARDING: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Whether you ride a shortboard or a longboard depends on a number of factors, and strangely, it has a lot to do with your personality too.

A lot depends on the type of surfing that resonates with you: Are you drawn to the style and flow of riding a longboard? or do you prefer the speed and progression elements of riding a shortboard?

Let's dissect them in a little more detail below:

SHORTBOARD

If a shortboard was a car, it'd be a Formula 1 racing car - maximum pace and agility.

Riding a shortboard is all about technical surfing, with speed, power and progression.

Shortboarding is for you if:

But here's the thing...

Shortboarding is a very hard sport to master, and takes a lot of perseverance and practice, so if shortboarding is for you, you'll need to be dogged and embrace this challenge.

LONGBOARD

If a longboard was a car, it'd be a Rolls Royce. All about style, class and little to no care about speed or agility.

Riding a longboard is as much to do with style and grace as it is about performance and cross-step trickery.

Longboarding is for you if:

That's the true longboarding ethos right there.

Riding a longboard is a much easier journey for most, with the boards forgiving nature: length, width & volume making the progression from beginner to intermediate a much faster journey than riding an unforgiving high performance shortboard.

So if you're a latecomer to the sport of surfing, this is something to bear in mind.

WRAPPING IT UP

By now you should have a good understanding of the difference between longboarding and shortboarding, the pro's and con's of each, and which one is right for you.

There is no right or wrong, only a question of what resonates to the individual.

Longboard or shortboard? 

It's over to you

WHAT ARE SURFBOARD CONCAVES?

Surfboard concaves are subtle channels on the bottom of a surfboard.

During the surfboard shaping process, some foam is sanded down further than the ‘rail line’ of the board in order to form these concaves. 

This is done for many reasons and can majorly change how a board feels. 

Concaves are almost invisible to the untrained eye, but ask an experienced surfer or shaper about them and they'll be able to tell you not only if a board has concaves, but what type of concave and how it affects the board. 

Don’t stress though, if you know absolutely nothing about the topic or didn't know concaves even existed until now, you will soon be a surfer who knows exactly what they're looking at when it comes to inspecting surfboard bottoms...

WHAT DO CONCAVES DO ON A SURFBOARD? 

There are two main reasons a shaper will add concaves to a surfboard and it is largely to do with increasing the board's bottom surface area and changing the way the water flows through the board.

INCREASED SURFACE AREA

When you increase the board's surface area, more lift and drive is created.

This is great for advanced surfers who are looking to ride fast down the line and then perform ‘radical’ turns. ur text here...

WATER FLOW

This is simply the direction the water flows under the board.

For example, a single concave will allow the water to flow directly through the board and flow out the tail. This generates more speed. 

On the other hand, a single into double concave will allow for speed when first getting up and riding down the line, but also allow for more ‘lift’ as the water now flows differently at the tail/fins of the board. 

If that made no sense at all, see below for a run down of the different types of concaves.

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURFBOARD CONCAVE

SINGLE CONCAVE

A single concave is a singular contour running almost the length of a board and aims to keep the water flowing nicely underneath the surfboard.

Designed so that water passes under the nose and flows out directly through the fins and tail of the board. 

The single concave makes for fast ‘down the line’ surfing and is perfect for big clean waves. 

Picture flying down a long groomed wall at 6-8ft Jeffreys Bay, that’s what your single concave was made for. 

However, the single concave is not great in messy conditions, as the water no longer flows smoothly underneath the board, instead it becomes stuck and can make the board feel ‘sticky’ when performing turns. 

DOUBLE CONCAVE

The double concave aims to provide a rider with a ‘loose’ feeling. Allowing a surfer to perform more ‘radical’ and ‘freer’ turns. 

The double is often used in combination with a single concave. 

Starting with a single concave at the top of the board (this is good for plaining as a surfer first takes off on a wave) 

It will then merge into the double concave at the back near the fins, so when a surfer is performing a turn, water will be channeled in two different directions, giving the ‘freer’, more maneuverable feeling. 

The majority of modern performance boards will use the single to double combo. Having the plaining speed of the single and the looseness of the double, really creates the best of both worlds.

FLAT

A flat bottomed surfboard is fantastic for beginner surfers and is found on most beginner/soft top boards anyway.

The flat surface means the board can easily plane across the surface of the water, even if the wave is sloppy and doesn't carry much power. This allows a beginner to ride really ‘fat’ weak waves that otherwise wouldn't be surfable. 

The flat bottom can also come in extremely handy for the more advanced surfer as it will allow them to go fast and generate speed in mushy/weak surf. Most top level surfers will have 1 or two boards called ‘grovellers’ in their quiver, meaning they can still surf to a high level even in crappy waves. 

VEE OR BELLY BOTTOM CONCAVE (CONVEXED)

CONCAVE COMBINATIONS

SINGLE > DOUBLE

The single to double is extremely popular with modern performance shortboards.

The single concave near the front allows the board to plane through the water easily when the surfer first stands up and starts to ‘drive’ down the line.  

Then, when a surfer is looking to perform a turn, the double concave at the back comes into play and allows the surfer to do a loose radical turn, for example a fins out or reverse. 

SINGLE > DOUBLE > VEE

Sometimes a shaper decides to utilize three different contours in the same board!

Starting with single up front, for planing, double near the back, for more looseness, and then some vee out the tail, just for added maneuverability. 

When a shaper is making a board, they will usually have to sacrifice one thing for the other.

Whichever attribute you give a surfboard in it’s concave, you have to take a way from another. 

For example, if you want a board that is easy to paddle/catch waves but you want to be able to ride in bigger waves as well, there will have to be some give and take with how much ‘flat’ and ‘single concave’ you add to the board. 

SURFBOARD CONCAVE EXAMPLES

BEGINNER SOFTBOARD

A completely flat surfboard that sits exactly atop of the water’s surface. 

No concave meaning the board will plain through the water super easily and allow you, whether you’re a beginner or advanced surfer, to ride fat weak waves with speed.  

LONGBOARD

A longboard may have a singular concave up near the nose of the board, which will then move into a ‘belly’ through the middle and then into vee at the tail. 

Having concave at the nose creates lift, so when you’re nose riding (hanging 10 or rather trying to like me) it makes things a lot easier. 

(Please note, a single concave will not automatically mean you are able to nose ride).  

The belly through the middle will help you transition from rail to rail smoothly, whilst also giving you stability. The belly in a longboard is usually ‘rolled’ and very gradual from rail to rail. 

The vee in the tail is going to allow you to turn the board easy when stepping on the tail. 

PERFORMANCE SHORTBOARD

In modern performance boards, the blend of contours is most popular. 

As mentioned earlier, a performance shortboard will start with some ‘flat’ just before the nose, allowing you to paddle into waves as easily as possible.

It will then go into a single concave for plaining when you first stand up, then into double for when you're about to turn, before moving into a vee just around the tail for some extra radicalness. 

SURFBOARD CHANNELS

The famous Hawaiian big wave surfer, Greg Noll first shaped channels into the bottom of his surfboard back in 1965.

This was the birth of channel bottoms. 

Originally it was belly channels that were popular, when surfboards had large ‘bellies’ which were often slow to ride. 

Cutting channels into these bellies when shaping began to increase the speed of the board. 

However, due to the introduction of concave bottoms, these belly channels more or less faded out and were replaced entirely by concaves. 

Nowadays however, tail channels have become extremely popular. 

WHAT DO SURFBOARD CHANNELS DO?

What Do Channels on a Surfboard Do?

Surfboard channels act much in the same way as concaves, although they’re more drastic and are designed to have greater effect than just a subtle concave. 

As mentioned above, tail channels are now super popular in high performance surfboards.

Having deep channels near the board's tail allows water to be directed (in a more concentrated way) through the tail. 

When applying back foot pressure over the channels, the board will push back at you, making for better, faster surfing. 

This is because the water flowing through the board uses all the extra surface area of the channels to ‘grip’ onto and shoot you forward. So these channels can make for an incredible increase in speed. 

The extent to which the channels affect your board will depend on how deep the channels are and the boards other attributes. 

Generally speaking - The deeper the channels, the larger the effect. 

CONCLUSION