Surfing is much more than a sport. It is a powerful experience that connects us to nature, excites us and fills us with adrenaline. But to really enjoy it, it is important to understand our main tool in the water: the surfboard.
Every board has different characteristics that suit different surfing styles, experience levels, sea conditions and even the surfer’s personality. The right choice makes the difference between frustration and maximum fun.
Choosing a board – what to consider
- The surfer’s height, weight and age
- Surfing experience
- The type of waves you plan to surf
The descriptions below are very general, but they will give you a basic understanding of how a board’s dimensions affect the way it behaves in the water.
Board dimensions – how they matter
- Length: a long board is more stable and easier to paddle and stand up on – ideal for beginners. Short boards suit sharp turns and radical surfing. There is also a link between board length and the face of the wave: the bigger the wave face, the longer the board we prefer.
- Width: affects buoyancy and stability. A wide board feels safer under your feet but limits maneuverability.
- Thickness: measured at the thickest point in the middle of the board. It affects volume and buoyancy, and also how weight is distributed along the board.
- Volume: measured in liters, it reflects how well the board floats. High volume makes catching waves easier but turning harder. Volume has become popular in recent years as a quick summary of a board’s dimensions.
Good to know: many people today choose a board by volume alone, but it is worth looking at all the dimensions to find the perfect match and understand the differences between boards.
How to read the dimensions written on a board
On most boards you will see the dimensions like this: 5’10” x 19.5″ x 2.5″ – 28 L
- Length: 5 feet 10 inches
- Width: 19.5 inches
- Thickness: 2.5 inches
- Volume: 28 liters
(1 inch = 2.54 cm)
Types of surfboards and their surfing style
Longboard
A long board (9 feet and up), stable and comfortable. Perfect for small waves and relaxed, elegant surfing. Beginners can learn on a longboard and build a strong foundation, and advanced surfers can develop an impressive style full of flow. It usually comes with one large single fin.
Fun board / mid-length
Similar in shape to a longboard but shorter, offering stability with sharper turns than a traditional longboard. It suits surfers who want to keep flow and speed even in small, weak waves. Its dimensions also help less experienced surfers catch more waves and build speed in challenging conditions.
Shortboard
A short, agile board for experienced surfers looking for radical surfing, sharp maneuvers and quick reactions on the wave. The shortboard developed alongside the thruster – a setup of three equal fins that allows the radical surfing typical of shortboards. Ideal in strong, fast waves.
Fish
A short, wide board with a swallow tail and usually a twin-fin setup. There is a huge range of fish shapes, each working differently – from classic retro boards to high-performance models, there is a fish for every surfer and every sea. Excellent in small to medium waves, it gives speed and a sense of freedom, and its forgiving nature also suits intermediate surfers. In recent years fish boards have taken off with the growing demand for alternative surfing.
Soft top
A soft, safe and stable board – the perfect choice for beginners. Ideal for surf lessons and calm days. Experienced surfers love it too, just for the fun.
In short
So which board is right for you? It depends on your style, level and goals. Most important: try, make mistakes, learn and enjoy. Surfing is not just a sport, it is a way of life.
On our surf camps our coaches match the right board to every surfer.
