Different Tail Styles for a Surfboard

Not all surfboards are created equal. Everything comes into play when attempting to ride the waves. The tail of the board plays a key area in that decision. There are two main types of tails - the pin tail and the square tail. Various adaptions have been created to better suit the need of the surfer using these two types as the base.

  1. Squash tail

    • A squash tail-style surfboard is the most common tail used. The ail narrows down like it is going to come to a point or rounding off like other tail types, and it flattens or squashes. Squash tail boards make for a smooth and stable ride, but still offer enough flexibility for quick turns. A squash tail is used on short boards and gives the best performance on small to overhead waves.

    Round Tail

    • A circular rounded out tail provides more space for the surfer, making it more turn- friendly. Found primarily on short boards because of the maneuverability it provides, the round tail is able to direct the water around the end of the board when surfing in hollow fast surf, adding stability for the surfer.

    Pintail

    • Pintails provide the most stability for riding big hollow waves. The surface area is small and the end is pointed. Although this doesn't make it the best for maneuvering, it does provide the control needed to ride big waves.

    Rounded Pintail

    • The rounded pintail doesn't come to a definite point like the pintail. It rounds out and offers more surface space on the board. The roundness of the pintail makes the turns smoother and wider. The rounded pintail can be found on long and short boards.

    Swallowtail

    • The tail of the board has a unique shape. The board curves and meets at the bottom. But instead of joining together, it separates. An upside-down V shape is cut out from the tail of the board. This makes the tail look like it has two small pintails. These two small pintails provide stability, but the surface area is larger, making it better for controlling. It can be used in any surf conditions, but is best used in small waves.

    Baby Swallowtail

    • The baby swallowtail has the same configurations that the swallowtail does. However, it does sacrifice some of the surface space and is a narrower, skinnier board. It provides the control and stability needed when taking on big surf.

    Bat Tail

    • The tail of the board looks like a small "m" has been cut out of the bottom. This type of tail adds the stability and control that is required if wanting to take on the big waves. The center point that comes out in the middle adds a little more stability than that of a swallowtail.

    Square Tail

    • Keeping true to the name, the board curves together and the end squares off. The squared corners provide sharper turns when maneuvering. A square tail board is a good choice when surfing small to overhead waves.