There are countless surf spots with different waves globally; even on the same, other waves depend on the conditions.
Therefore, when choosing a board to ride, a surfer must consider two factors: himself and the ocean. Oneself – in the sense that one must adequately assess one’s skills plus compare them with one’s physical parameters and training.
The main types are as follows: shortboard, longboard, funboard, fish, gun, and hybrid.
In addition, there are surfboards, there are old-school models, and there are other, less common types of boards that periodically come into fashion. Today I will give you a sightseeing tour of the world of surfboards.
Shortboard is the most popular surfboard, with the help of which surfers from the 1970s to the present day are constantly pushing the boundaries of this sport, inventing more and more new tricks.
It is a less than 7 feet board with a curved rocker that allows for sharp maneuvers on the critical section of the wave. These boards are often thin, with a pointed nose and three or four fins.
A longboard is a board with the most extended history, the great-grandmother of modern surfboards.
Longboards range in length from 8 to 12 feet, at least 2.5 inches thick and 20 inches wide.
On the longboard, either one large Fin or a 2 + 1 set with a large central and small side fin is placed.
Experienced longboarders are distinguished by a very smooth, relaxed riding style; they can walk on the board, ride on the very bow, and perform sharp turns and maneuvers.
A longboard is excellent for riding small, gentle waves, but if you have enough experience, you can go with a longboard in more severe conditions.
Funboard is a name that speaks for itself because fun is fun.
This board is an intermediate option between a shortboard and a longboard. Fan boards are usually 6 to 8 feet long and have three pinboards to control.
This board is already quite agile, but it still gives the latter advantages when raking due to the large volume, although less than a longboard.
Fan boards come in many different shapes, but they all have one thing in common – they are easy and fun to ride on medium-sized waves, not too sharp, but not completely flat.
Fish (English fish) – the fish began to gain popularity in the 70s, and its progenitor is the once-popular lap board.
The fish is usually shorter and broader than the shortboard, sometimes referred to as a “bun.”
Due to its relatively large volume compared to a shortboard, it is easier to rake it and maintain speed on a gentle section if the wave subsides, and two finals give it unheard-of agility and briskness.
Gun (English Gun) – this rocket is taken when they ride on huge waves.
Typical gun lengths are from 7 ‘to 10’, but semi-guns are 6’6 “(moderately large waves).
The gun is not more comprehensive than the shortboard and has a somewhat curved rocker.
These boards are designed for large drops (actually falling from the top of the crest to the wall of the wave, like a skate ramp) and high speeds, yet this board is very maneuverable and controllable.
Most often, a Ghana has three or four finals and a host with steel eggs.
Single Fin is an old-school board with one Fin.
Single fins come in various sizes and shapes, from short and wide buns to long and narrow “almost” Ghani.
The main difference from other shortboards in the control mechanics is that because there is only one Fin on the board, turns and maneuvers are done using the longboard technique.
But surfers who have perfectly mastered this projectile are distinguished by a graceful style and smooth movement along with the wave.
A hybrid is a board whose design mixes elements from different types of surfboards.
Or it can be a Malibu with a sharp nose and one big Fin, like a longboard – ease of raking + unheard of maneuverability, albeit reduced stability.
In general, there are a lot of options, it all depends on your preferences and desires, and the ideal board, like much in this life, is sought by trial and error.
A soft top is a special board for teaching surfing.
The softs are made prominent, comprehensive, and thick, thanks to which the panels are floating and, although challenging to control, they forgive most of the mistakes.
The chalkboards are designed to teach you to make a lather and slight waves, stand up and balance.
After you learn how to turn after the start and ride along the wave wall, switching to a longboard or a large fan board, they are a little harder to rake but more enjoyable to ride.
All for the sake of safety because newcomers often get into batches, sometimes even collective ones, and if a soft-top hits the head, the victim will get off with a slight fright and a bump.
As you dive deeper into the world of surfing, you will more and more often come across rare and less common types of boards, such as SUP (Stand Up Paddle), bonzer, mini Simmons, Alaia, and tow-in board.
Each of these boards is designed for a specific environment, so if you’re interested, do your research!
