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How Thick Should a Surfboard Be?
Serious consideration should be given to the surfboard and how thick it should be alongside the whole length for better riding.
To estimate how thick it is, you’d better look at it from the side and closely pay attention to its three main places: the nose, the tail, and the place in the middle between the two ends.
The allocation of foam is usually called the foil.
The foil influences the surfboard paddling power and the ability to ride in the condition of slow or small waves. If the board is too thick, it will obstruct your improvement of skills.
Every surfboard part is responsible for certain characteristics in different conditions.
Depending on how thick the nose, tail and the middle of the surfboard are, you should consider what kind of board fits you better according to your spot of riding, your riding skills, and chosen flair.
The thickness at the front
If the surfboard nose is thick enough it will respond to your movements well and will provide you with maneuverability.
Light and thick nose means you as a surfer have to apply not too much effort while riding and turning.
But it’s important not to choose the surfboard with the nose thicker than it is required because, in this case, you will probably go deeper in a swell which, in its turn, will lead to falling in.
One more possible result of such riding is turning the board around its axis and loss of stability by the surfer because the surfboard gets the riding displacement.
The thickness between the ends
As a surfer, you know that the surfboard is measured in its thickness, width, and height.
The first value is counted based on the thick part that is somewhere in the middle of your surfboard. The general value varies from 2 to 3 (7.62 cm) inches.
The thickness should be defined according to your weight because it should be thick enough to provide the flotation power during riding.
In the case when the surfboard is not thick enough for you in its middle part, it can just drown or it will be uncomfortable for riding. The surfboard of proper thickness is firm and reliable.
If the board is thicker than required, it is not comfortable for riding because extra dynamics appear.
And it affects your turning ability because when you can’t bend over or you do it with resistance, the surfboard responsiveness is decreased, and it may lead to uncontrolled riding.
The thickness at the back
When it goes to a thick tail, it can affect your riding well. This thick rare part may work on your paddling ability.
With it, you can easily increase speed while riding, even in difficult places.
The effect occurs when the tail goes out of the sea which causes the board floating when you are riding.
At the same time, a thin tail has its own advantages. For example, it will give you more response and let you achieve higher results.
One more important thing to improve your riding skills and ride faster, with the high response from a surfboard and easy turns, is a fins set-up. Mind it when choosing a board for yourself.
