Everything you need to know about surfboards

It is easy to get lost in the jungle of surfboards, although, it’s crucial to find the perfect one to safely and easily enjoy the freedom of waves. In this article, you will have all the information about the basics, types and shapes.

Dimensions

First of all, it’s important to understand the dimensions of a surfboard to select the appropriate one anytime you’re about to surf.

1. Length
   

   The longer a board is, the easier to paddle. It can be more comfortable for beginners as it’s more stable, easier to stand up on and feels safer as well.

2. Width
   

   Just like with length, width helps determine the sturdiness of the board. For more stability and control, the best is to use a wider board.

3. Depth

   The depth (or thickness) of a surfboard is responsible for the floatation. The heavier the surfer, the thicker the board should be to provide a smoother ride.

Types

1. Shortboard

   Shortboards are usually 5.5-7 feet long, and typically have slender pointy nose and rounded square tail. They generally have smaller dimensions, therefore grant surfers perfect mobility to carry out tricks and sharp cuts. Thanks to their small size, they’re harder to stabilize thus mostly used by advanced and pro surfers.

2. Fish
   

   The fish board is a short (less than 7 feet long), stumpy board with swallow tail. It has rounder nose and wider mid-section width than the shortboard and is made for riding small waves. It has improved wave catching capability while it keeps up the speed and allows the surfer to carry out a maneuvering performance.

3. Gun
   

   The gun is similar in shape to a shortboard but it’s much longer and has thin, narrow, pointy nose and tail. Thanks to its length, which is between 6 and 10 feet, it’s the right choice to easily paddle out to big, fast waves and to control on the steep ones.

4. Longboard
   

   Longboards are over 8 or 9 feet long, and they have rounded nose. They are ideal to learn on – they are stable in the water, easier to paddle and better for catching the waves. On the other hand, it’s harder to get through the white water due to their big size.

5. Funboard
   

   Funboards are the combination of the paddling power of longboards and the turning ability of shortboards. Thanks to their reduced size, which is over 6 and 8 feet, surfers have better mobility in the water and perform well in all conditions. Therefore, they’re perfect for less experienced, intermediate surfers.

What is the function of the fin?

The fin of a surfboard is the little curved bit near the tail, hanging down from the bottom. They are responsible for the directional stability on the surface of the waves and allow the surfer to implement tricks and maneuvers.

Why to use wax?

Surf wax looks like a bar of soap and is used to keep the surfer from slipping off the board when paddling or riding a wave as it increases grip. There are different type of waxes and it’s indispensable to use the correct one for the conditions.

• Cold: for water below 58°F / 14°C
• Cool: for water 59-64°F / 14-19°C
• Warm: for water 65-74°F / 19-24°C
• Tropical: for water above 75°F / 24°C

If you have further questions about surfing, don’t hesitate to write us an email to mondosurfvillage@gmail.com or visit our website Mondo Surf Village