Table of Contents
Basic Tail Shapes
A thing you should consider, thinking about variants of surfboard tail shapes, is that the shapes with a wider angle usually give you more edgy and axial twists on the water.
Those shapes that are rounder will provide more gentle and flat turns.
How you hold and release on the wave surface also depends on the rear part shape.
Try to notice how water flies off the end of the surfboard and you will see that it keeps close to the outline of the surfboard.
This means that curves of its shape retain water and corners help it to tear off.
To be steady in big surf and withhold water, it’s better to use a round or sharp pin tail, while a square or angled shape will make water looser, more dynamic, and easy-flowing.
The surfboard surface of contact depends on the rear part width which may originate in various shapes. This, in turn, influences your hold in front of the waves and how much you can speed up.
Even though there is a big shape range, most of the tail shapes are deviations of the following standard surfboard designs.
Pin Tail
This shape was developed to have the highest control while riding the wave.
The reduced surface of a tail is caused by its narrowed shape. Therefore, you are able to dive and sink into the water while simultaneously following and keeping direction.
Pin tail has its name because of the straighter shape but still curved outline that gathers to a point.
Such a surfboard shape offers you the best water flux without sudden sharp release for keeping retention. These surfboard back parts can be unsuitable for calm waters with little waves because the tail needs a bigger contact area to carry you.
When riding huge waves, such things as controlling and keeping the track are more significant than handling ability especially, in high-speed areas.
Round tail
This one is a counterpart to the previous one and it exploits better than the square tail in greater waves and speedy riding parts. This happens due to its outline that is washed by the water with a stronger draw.
A round rear part is more mobile and rises easier because of the increased contact area due to its additional width.
With more elevation, the surfboard is able to have more opportunity to maneuver as well as to be freer even at a higher level than a pin-tailed surfboard.
A square tail can’t assure you with such straighter and more prolonged basic turns as the rounded form. Also, additional contact adds more speed when surfboard riding at mild and calm parts.
Squash tail
Among short versions of surfboards, there is the most widely used squared option — a squash tail.
A square or sharp-angled form allows it to loosen and respond immediately. Therefore, it is suitable for unexpected and long turns.
Also, such a surfboard has more contact surface due to its shape compared to others.
Again, more surfboard area means more elevation, and you glide easier and are able to keep the same speed. This, in turn, will be useful on calmer parts of the waves.
When strict tracking and regulation is needed at speedy areas, a smaller surface area will make it possible for the rear part to dive and stick in the wave.
Square surfboards with harder edges don’t give such great retention as the surfboard with a rounded back part.
Such a type of tail is intended to have a great regulation potential both in huge and steep waves and in mild ones, so there are many sides of its usage.
Swallow tail
If you observe the shape of this tail, you’ll notice that it looks like 2 small pin tails which are connected near each other.
This similarity, in turn, means that the surfboard will have more control and draw by having 2 points.
The cut-out V-shape on the surfboard rear part makes it possible both to dive and hold while riding in and out of turns.
Entering milder waves with a steady speed is possible and easier because this surfboard shape increases the width of the tail which also makes the contact area bigger. This is great for small waves and it explains the same common swallowtail shape of fish.
In order to have a more rigid transition from sides, the surfboard tail must be more apparent and wide.
To make a drastic course change, the pin on one side has to disconnect before the tail will be able to connect again on another pin and make a turn.
Square Tail
This tail is probably the first one to be designed for surfboards and it has given rise to all the other shapes.
It maintains stability because of its sufficient width. This is also the reason why it has a less bent railing.
During turns, the corners of the square-tailed surfboard sink and stick into the water and in such a way, sharp and axial turns are possible. Short versions of boards can have such a shape but usually, it is present on longer surfboards.
Asymmetrical Tail
These days, the asymmetry in the creation of surfboard tail forms became more significant and common.
It doesn’t mean the emergence of new shapes but more likely, a new way to merge 2 separate shapes for a rider to be able to use one model for the different side rides in appropriate cases.
You can integrate particular back part shapes (like fish, squash, pin, and others) on the sides of the surfboard. You might as well watch the interview with the creator of this shape for more information and questions.
