How to Pick a Surfboard

Know the average wave size at the beaches where you surf. Pick a board with less curve to it for large waves, which helps your speed when surfing, since large waves are fast and strong. Medium waves are best ridden with a standard short board. Pick a short board 2 to 6 inches taller than you. Ride small waves with a small short board, a fish or an egg board.

Keep your body shape in mind when picking a surfboard. Thin, narrow and lightweight surfboards are best for a small body build. Standard size surfboards work well with medium body builds. Thicker, wider surfboards are good for larger body builds.

Decide which material you want your surfboard made from. Commonly, surfboards are made with a polystyrene body and covered with either epoxy or fiberglass. Fiberglass has been around longer and many surfers believe this sort of board is best, while epoxy is a newer material that is considered more lightweight and harder to ding than fiberglass. Talk to other surfers for opinions on the best material for a surfboard.

Look at the tail shape of the surfboard before buying it. Tail shape affects turning, speed and handling. Choose a pin or squash tail for surfing large or medium waves. Pick a squash or swallow tail for small surf.

Consider your fin choices when picking a surfboard. Fin selection consists of single fin, twin fin, tri-fin and quad fin. Single and tri-fin setups are good for large surf. Medium surf works well with all setups except quad fin. Quad fin is only needed if you have a small wave board in choppy surf.

Choose whether you want removable or stationary fins. Removable fins are replaceable if they break. Stationary fins must be repaired. Removable fins also allow the changing of your fin setup on the surfboard if surf conditions change.