How to Choose a Shortboard

"Pick a board that you like to look at and touch. If it's your only board, you'll have to look at it and ride it all the time." - Timmy Reyes, O'Neill Surf Team

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring Tapes
  • Pencils
  • Spiral Notebooks
  • Surfboards
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Instructions

    • 1

      Go to your local surfboard shop and visit the board racks.

    • 2

      Ask the salesperson what boards are working well for people.

    • 3

      Consider your weight, and buy a board that is long enough and thick enough to float you. It should also paddle well.

    • 4

      Buy a smaller board that will perform well in the surf you see most often.

    • 5

      Pick a board with more thickness (volume) throughout if you need more paddling power or if your local break is a slow mushy wave that requires speed for maneuvers.

    • 6

      Choose a board that is wider and more curvy for snappy turns.

    • 7

      Buy a "gun" (a longer, drawn-out version of a shortboard) if you plan on surfing in larger, more critical surf.