Cutback, aerial, leggie, wipeout… these are some of the terms you would be familiar with if you love surfing. Even if you don’t, anytime is good to start. It’s enjoyable, gives you a great workout, and lets you appreciate the beauty of the ocean. Some say riding the waves is akin to deep meditation. This exhilarating sport is enjoyed with a surfboard, which comes in all shapes and sizes. Selecting the right one is crucial. Pick the wrong one, and you might injure yourself. While valuable information is available on sites like the Outdoor Life Cafe, you should know how to buy the best surfboards and things to check while doing so.
What is a Surfboard?
A surfboard is a long plank that lets you ride an ocean wave while standing on them. Its main parts are the nose, stringer, rocker, leash, concaves, fins, leash plug, fin plugs, rail, tail, bottom, and outline. They are made of different materials like epoxy, wood, and polyurethane. Boards are of three types: shortboard, fish, and longboard, with subtypes like foam boards, guns, grovelers, egg, and malibu.
Your Surfing Experience
Choosing the right board depends on the years of surfing experience you have. If you are a beginner, go with one that will provide plenty of stability and volume. Try to buy one that is at least seven feet long, three inches thick, and twenty-three inches wide. Longboards are suitable for amateurs because they let you catch waves, offer significant stability, and are easily handled. Funboards, foam boards, and fish are other options for starters. Shortboards, which are underseven feet in length, are perfect for advanced riders.
Type of Wave You would Enjoy Surfing
Minute details matter a lot in surfing, although it may not appear so to an outsider. There are seven wave types: point, beach and reef breaks and crumbly, reform, double mouth, and river up. The kind of board you buy will depend on the type of wave you enjoy surfing. For example, high-volume boards with gentle hips are best for beach breaks, while those with thin rails and tails and medium-to-low rockers are perfect for reef breaks.
Deciding the Proper Fin Configuration
A fin is placed at the foot of a board to provide stability. It also helps in turning and going straight. Its size has a direct effect on the performance. There are five types of fins in all: single, twin, thruster, 2+1, and quad. If you are new to surfing, go for one with a five-fin box, two on the outside, and one in the center. The advantage of a five-fin configuration is that you can use a single one while leaving the other four empty. The size of the fin is also crucial. While a bigger one offers lots of control and hold, the smaller one won’t give you the drive and control in bigger surfs.
Your Height and Weight
Physical measurements like your height and weight will play a role in deciding the right board for you. For example, surfers who weigh more than 200 pounds should go for boards more than seven feet in length. Heavier people will always prefer planks with plenty of volumes to minimize paddling, while excellent paddlers will want less volume. Experience also plays a role here and the number of days in a week you will be surfing.
The information mentioned above and found on sites like Outdoor Life Cafe will help you choose the right surfboard for your adventures with the waves. Surfing is a thrilling sport, and a significant part of it depends on a soundboard.
