SURFBOARD TYPES

Modern Surfboards come in all shapes and sizes. From longboards to shortboards, from beginners boards to big guns, from new experimental shapes to old retro shapes. These days we have more choice than ever. We will take a look at the main types of modern surfboard / wave riding vehicles.

Main Types of Surfboards:

• Standard Shortboard or Thruster
• Gun
• Longboard (Mal)
• Mini-mal (mini Malibu)
• Kneeboard
• Bodyboard

Standard Shortboard or Thruster

Standard Shortboard or Thruster is a 3 fin surfboard that is by far the most popular design these days. There are many variations on the theme and they can be ridden by surfers of different abilities in a wide range of surf types. They may vary in size from 5ft (1.5 m +) for young experienced surfers to over 7ft (2.lm) for bigger, heavier people. Most boards for people of average size and ability are around 6.5ft (2m).

Gun (Big gun)

Guns are designed for seriously big waves (over 4 metres). They are long usually 10ft (3m) and narrow , around 18 inches (45cm) wide with plenty of thickness. They are used mainly in Hawaii and at a few other spots such as Todos Santos (Mexico), Maverics (California), Dungeons (South Africa) etc. The key design features of these boards are related to survival rather than performance. Ease of entry to the wave, control whilst dropping (or sometimes free falling) into the waves, the speed to achieve these and successfully make the wave are the factors that dictate the Gun’s design.

Longboard (Mal)

Longboards were the forerunner to the modern shortboard and helped popularise the sport in the 1960’s. Longboards all but disappeared in the late 1970’s but they have become very popular once again especially with the increasing number of middle aged surfers. Longboard size makes them easy to paddle but more difficult to control than smaller boards, they allow a surfer to make the most of smaller crowded days as well as being valid in larger waves. Longboards vary in size but for competitions they must be at least 9ft (2.7m) long.

Mini-mal (Mini Malibu)

Mini-mal is, as the name implies, a smaller version of a longboard. Mini-mal have rounded nose shapes and are generally full in their width both nose and tail. Normally around 7 - 8 ft (2.1 -2.5m) long they are ideal for beginners (who have already learned to stand up) and experts alike.

Kneeboard

Although Kneeboards are not as popular as many other wave riding forms, the kneeboard has a long history. Kneeboards are shorter (around 5ft), wider versions of surfboards that are specially designed to be ridden whilst kneeling allowing the rider to get deep in tubes etc. Kneeboarding has become less popular since the introduction of bodyboards although it remains a valid wave riding form.

Bodyboard

Bodyboards are short boards (under 5ft) that are designed to be ridden lying down or on one knee (drop-knee). Bodyboards are an ideal tool for beginners, (especially young people) to learn the art of riding waves. Bodyboards are also capable of stunning performance in the hands of experts. During the 1990’s bodyboard was the fastest growing sector of the sport.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (4)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment