Surfboard Design Ideas

Surfing is a sport enjoyed in a variety of climates and locations, including the Great Lakes. Surfboards are designed in a variety of styles to accommodate different wave styles and surfer expertise levels.

  1. Longboard

    • Longboards are a good choice for beginners.

      A longer board allows for easier paddling and greater stability, but offers less agility on the wave. Beginners may find that 10 feet is the limit for the length they should choose, as longer boards are harder to manage. With more experience, you can handle an even longer board, which enables you to ride the nose and perform other tricks. Consider a concave nose to enable noseriding.

    Noses

    • The nose of the board affects how you drop into a wave. A pointed nose cuts the water with ease; a rounded or concave nose, while easier to handle, is less agile. The flatter the nose of the board, the easier it is to nose ride. A rounded-point nose is the middle ground and is helpful for riders seeking the best of both worlds. The asymmetrical tail combines two styles to give the rider a choice for front-side riding and another for back-side riding.

    Tail

    • Board tails are available in six basic designs: pin, round, squash, swallow, square and asymmetrical. Generally speaking, the wider the tail the more stability you may enjoy. A skinnier tail zips through the water with greater ease, allowing more control and panache on the wave. The narrowest type is the pin tail, created for larger waves, giving more traction on the water. A square tail is slower and is optimal for smaller waves and longer boards.

    Fins

    • Fins help the surfboard hold onto the wave. The less depth of a fin, the less hold the board has on the wave. The flexibility determines the responsiveness of the board. The less flexible the fin, the more responsive the board will be. A rider who desires more speed and quicker cutbacks needs a firmer fin. The base and sweep determine agility with longer bases or sweeps resulting in wider turns. Consider removable fins to accommodate a variety of conditions and rider styles.