Surfing Knowledge

What is a Surfboard?

Originally surfboards were made from wooden planks — they have come a long way since those Hawaiian surfs way back! Today surfboards are made by professional shapers by hand, out of foam with a fibreglass coating and designed to be light and strong. Shapes do vary and styles are always changing.

Different surfboards are suited to different wave conditions, rider ability and style. If you're after advice about which kind of surfboard will suit you best, give us a call (01273 411141) and have a chat with someone from our friendly surf team.

What are the Different Parts of the Surfboard?

The nose, rails, tail and stringer are part of every type of surfboard, whether it's a shortboard, fish or retro, or mini-mal & longboard. However the shape and style of these parts will vary. The surfboard sits in the water deck side up and the nose of the board is the part that faces forward.

What is a Surfboard Deck?

The deck of the surfboard is the top side — this is where you stand to surf and lay on to paddle out. For extra grip, wax is applied to the surface. You'll often see surfers with a deck grip (or 'tail pad') stuck to the board too. This gives greater grip and helps with foot positioning. We highly recommend a deck grip — you'll find it invaluable for control when you're out in the water.

When looking at the deck you can usually see a slight camber from the rail to the middle, then back to the rail. This is known as a 'domed deck' and helps make rail-to-rail movements easier. You can also get a 'flat deck' which is flat from rail to rail.

What is a Surfboard Nose?

When riding, the nose sits out of the water. The shape varies depending on the type of board — a shortboard or fish will usually have a pointed nose, while longboards, fun boards and mini-mals have a more rounded nose. The nose is quite delicate and prone to dings. You can protect it with a 'nose guard', which also protects you as the surfer.

What is a Surfboard Tail & What are the Different Types?

The tail is at the back of the board and will dramatically change the way you surf. When choosing a tail design it comes down to individual choice and ability — if your friends have boards with different tails, try them out first and see what works for you.

Squash Tail — The most popular design on modern shortboards. A great all-rounder offering easy turning, smoother lines and increased stability. Suited to most wave conditions.
Square Tail — Fast drive and sharp rail-to-rail transitions. Less common today but suited to a specific style of surfing.
Pin Tail — Often seen on gun-style boards. Allows deep tube riding with smooth, precise direction changes.
Thumb Tail — A rounded version of the squash tail. Greater stability and drive through choppy slow sections. Best in waist to head-high surf.
Rounded Pin Tail — A mix between the thumb tail and pin tail. Combines the benefits of both.
Swallow Tail — Often seen on fish-style boards. Wide tail for stability and paddle power, excels in choppy smaller surf.
Baby Swallow Tail — Combines the swallow and pin tail. Great for tube positioning with a smoother ride in choppy surf.
Bat Tail — A small double swallow that channels water through the tail for greater stability. Good in small to medium surf.

At the tail you'll also find the 'leash plug' where you attach your leash by looping it through.

What are Surfboard Rails & What are the Different Types?

The rails run from the tail to the nose and are where the deck and bottom of the board meet. The best rail for you depends on your level, where you surf, and the quality of the surf.

Boxy High Rail — Best for beginners. Greater flotation, stronger paddle power and stability in choppy surf. Ideal for fat point-breaks or flat beach breaks.
Mid Rail — The best all-rounder. Enough volume and drive to keep you going with a nice edge for carving. Suits a variety of conditions.
Low Rail — Sharper and narrower. Increases board response and holds better in the pocket. Best suited to advanced surfers.

What is the Surfboard Stringer?

The stringer is the strip that runs down the length of the board, usually made of wood, designed to strengthen the surfboard. Softboards, epoxy and carbon fibre surfboards often do not have stringers.

What are the Different Types of Surfboard Bottom?

The underside of the surfboard is known as the 'bottom'. The two notable things are the fins and the contour of the board. Some boards have single or double concaves, while others are flat or channelled. On the whole, the more water that channels through the board, the greater your stability. Give our surf team a call on 01273 411141 for advice.

What is Surfboard Rocker?

The rocker refers to the natural curve in the board from the tip of the nose through to the tail. Lay the board flat on the ground to see the curve clearly. A greater rocker suits cleaner larger waves, while a flatter rocker suits full fat waves where it will fly — though a flat rocker is harder to manoeuvre on suckier, more curved waves.

What are the Different Types of Surfboard?

Longboard Surfboards

Also known as a Malibu surfboard, longboards range from 8–14 feet and are often very wide with large volume. As a rule, get a board around three feet taller than yourself. The added length and volume make catching waves a breeze, and the flat bottom allows you to be propelled in small surf impossible to surf on a shortboard. Most beginners are attracted to the longboard style — but advanced surfers ride them too, completing difficult nose-riding manoeuvres and smooth turns.

Retro Surfboard Shapes

Retro shapes include the fish, single fin shortboards, twin fins, quad fins, eggs and fun shapes. The fish board has a flatter bottom and rocker to glide across choppier sections and almost always features a swallowtail. It's a must for any UK surfer as UK wave conditions match the board's ability perfectly. The egg surfboard has huge volume and width with a narrow nose and rounded tail — great paddle power and easy wave-catching.

Mini Malibu Surfboards

The mini-mal is a smaller, more defined version of the original longboard, typically 6'5" to 8'0" in length. Large volume, standard longboard width and usually a tri-fin set-up. Great for beginners as it has all the advantages of the Malibu without the cumbersome length. Advanced surfers continue to ride them too — they provide fun and inspiration for all ages and levels.

Shortboard Surfboards

The shortboard has been the core board in surfing since the 60s revolution. Not recommended for beginners — they're harder to paddle, harder to stabilise and need fair to good waves. If you're a beginner, start with a mini-mal or longboard first. For advanced surfers, the advantages are quicker turns, sharper bottom turns, greater agility and easier duck diving.

What is a Tuflite Surfboard?

Tuflite is the product of over 15 years of science focused on building the toughest, lightest, most responsive surfboards in the world. A Tuflite board can withstand much more of a beating than a standard fibreglass board and is more buoyant in the water.

Sandwich Construction — Specific layers of materials achieve performance while creating an incredibly durable, lightweight board.
Multiple Epoxy Layers — Two completely separate layers of quality epoxy/fibreglass lamination.
High Density Foam Wrapped Rail — Wrapping exterior foam around the rail provides strength, eliminates splitting and improves longevity.

If you'd like an unbiased chat about whether a Tuflite board is right for you, give us a call on 01273 411141 and we'll be happy to advise.

Still Not Sure?

If you're unsure which surfboard is right for you, contact us online or visit us in store at 368 Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 4QT. Our surf team is on hand 7 days a week.