You’ve attended a few surfing lessons. You decided that it’s time that you change your life for the better by getting more serious with surfing. Just like with most things in life, you need to make a commitment to become better. This means that if you want to be better at surfing, you need to make a commitment.
The first commitment that you have to make is on choosing a surfboard. But before you go out and buy what Kelly Slater used when he pulled off that insane frontside air in Portugal (it was a Channel Islands Rookie15, by the way), you have to know that it’s generally not a good idea to base your decision on what the pros use.
Surfboard Buying Guide
Choosing a surfboard in itself is quite an experience. Think of it as picking up your first car. There are several things that you have to consider. This article will provide tips on how to choose a surfboard so you can choose wisely!
- Consider the design.
This is not to say that you should go out and buy the most epic-looking board that you can find. Look at designs to see how a specific design can help you turn from a Barney to a professional.
You’re probably a beginner at this point, so choose a board that’s designed for easy paddling. The last thing that you’d want is to be noodled. Also, choose one that’s designed to make it easy to catch waves.
Generally speaking, a longboard is a better choice than a short board. Pros make it look so easy with short boards, but that’s because they’ve had years of practice. Longboards are wider and more stable. They’re perfect if you’re just starting out and settling for ankle busters.
- How much do you weigh?
Now’s not the time to lie about your weight. Save that for the DMV. The bigger you are the longer surfboard you’ll need. This is because you’ll require a board with more flotation.
Surfertoday.com has a very comprehensive surfboard size chart. It also takes your skill level into consideration. Just to give you an idea, your board should be 6’2” to 6’4” in length if you’re a beginner weighing 45 to 63 kilograms.
We’re now talking about the volume of the board. The flotation of the board is calculated by adding the thickness, length and width of the board and then subtracting its weight from it. What you’ll get is the volume in cubic liters.
- What are the types of waves that you’ll be conquering?
A longboard or a fish works best in slower waves. For steeper waves, a short board works better.
Understanding the Dimensions of Surfboards
You need to know about the dimensions when choosing a surfboard. Basically, you need to understand three things – length, width and thickness.
For the length, choose a surfboard based on your height. Taller surfers generally have wider stances so a longer board makes better sense. As a general rule for the width, the wider the board, the better. This is because wider boards provide more stability.
How about the thickness? Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the importance of thickness. This is where your weight is considered. If you’re heavier than average, a board with a thicker rail is better for you to help you get more push.
What to Do Now
With this information, you can now make an informed decision when choosing a surfboard. With these tips on how to choose a surfboard, you should be ready to buy the perfect one for you.
This surfboard buying guide should help you create a shortlist of surfboards but making the choice can still be overwhelming. Come visit our shop and we’ll hook you up. We can help you decide.