Arguably one of the most popular surfboard shapes out there is the Mini-Mal. It’s a solid choice for both brand-new beginners and experienced surfers alike – providing versatility in small surf and clean point breaks – but can even be a good choice for bigger waves where you’d be over-boarded with something longer. What is …
By now (late 2019) stand up paddle boarding has thrust itself way into the mainstream of surfing culture. With fringe beginnings at the spark of its revival in the early 2000s, I can remember seeing the odd SUP-rider in the line-up every now and again. Today, I rarely go to the beach and not see …
The importance of symmetry in a surfboard, while prominent, is probably overstated. Think about how you surf a wave or just how wave break in general – you’re never really riding your board in a way that demands symmetry. Hand-shaped surfboards -even from the most experience shapers – can even have slight, maybe even unnoticeable …
The twin fin, like the thruster or quad, describes a certain type of fin setup rather than a surfboard-type. However, like the other prominent fin setups described here, the twin fin certainly deserves a page of its own. If you’re new to twin fins, you’re in for a treat. It’s a type of fin setup …
Generally speaking, there are some recommendations to follow for sizing a surfboard regardless of your experience level. That said, depending on your skill level, paddle strength, and ability to read waves, you can really surf whatever you want. Experimentation, remember? Here’s the simple answer to how to size a surfboard: Adding more volume is a …
A brief look into “vintage” surfboards. What Were the First Surfboards Made Out of? The first surfboards were made out of solid wood, from either trees sources locally or ones that had washed up on shore. Wood was the primary surfboard construction method for quite a while. Even after surfing spread from Hawaii to California, …
Much like the thruster, the quad describes a fin set up rather than a type of surfboard. You can find a quad setup on any type of surfboard. And, in combination with the tail, rails, and other elements of the board, will surf a lot differently from the same board set up as a single, …
The soft top tends to get a lot of mixed reactions in the line up – some love them, some hate them. If one thing’s for sure, soft tops and foamie surfboards are here to stay. If you’re new to surfing or are looking for something fun for crowded, small summer days, a foam surfboard …
Loggin’ is not for everyone – but those who add a longboard to their quiver will certainly be rewarded with pure joy even on the tiniest, weakest of days. That’s not to say you can’t get radical on a log, though. The longboard is probably synonymous with surfing itself – up until the 60s, it …
I think Thomas Campbell describes it best in the introduction of his surf movie Sprout as he describes its purpose, “…to show how many different ways we have to access our ocean existence using whatever shape or size equipment it might take to have a more connected ride.” Thomas Campbell, Sprout, 2004 What Surfboard Should …