Types of Surfboards and what they are used for (Materials and Measurements)

There are many types of surfboards, different sizes and materials for every need or skill level. Every self-respecting surfer should understand when to use each one and know how to differentiate one from another, this is something that we will teach you in our surf school in Lanzarote, but if you are looking for more information, we have prepared a complete guide for you to enjoy and you can access it whenever you want.

No matter if you are a beginner or more experienced, to succeed in the art of catching waves, you must choose a good board. This choice is not as simple as saying: “this one” and that’s it… There are different sizes, materials and measurements available and it is not always clear what criteria to adopt in order not to make mistakes.

That’s why we’ve put together a guide to surfboard types for beginners to help you make the right choice.

Let’s get started!

Types of surfboards

Surfboards literally come in all shapes and sizes. There are many different categories of surfboards and if you want you can divide them into as many different subcategories as you want. However, there are five main types of surfboards: Shortboard, Fish, Funboard, Longboard and Gun. We are going to talk about these and a few more specific ones that could be classified within the five main categories, but are worth knowing about.

Funboard
Evolution
Fish
Mini Malibu
Longboard
Shortboard
Gun
Performance
Stand Up Paddle Board

Now we are going to see each of the types of surfboards, sizes and materials and which ones are more suitable for beginners, as well as the uses that each of them have.

Funboard

Funboards are 7-8 foot long surfboards that have a wide nose, relaxed rocker and foil, and are designed for easy riding in a wide range of conditions. They are commonly referred to as “eggs” or “midlengths”.

A funboard can also have any fin configuration, but they work best when built with a fin and tail configuration that you would see on a shortboard. Since these boards have extra stability and work in many different waves, they are good for beginners, but a well designed one can work for someone at an advanced level as well. Depending on the configuration of the rocker and fins, a Funboard can work in waves larger than what beginners are used to riding.

Evolution

Evolution surfboards are a “more professional” version of the funboard but are also suitable for beginners as they are stable and easy to turn.

They are a middle ground between the short board and the mini Malibu, with a backside like a short board and a front side like a mini Malibu, they are stable and easy to handle.

Compared to other types of surfboards, evolution surfboards offer more buoyancy and stability. Its rounded tip favors paddling.

Although suitable for beginners, evolution boards can also be a good option for more advanced surfers who like to turn on the waves.

Fish

Some of the earliest “shortboards” were knee boards that surfers decided to stand up on and many of these boards share characteristics of the “fish” format. A fish is a surfboard that is generally less than 6 feet long with a lot of volume on the inside.

It is characterized by a broad nose, a broad tail with a deep swallow cut and a flat rocker. A fish can be either twin-keeled or four-finned and because of its shape, it tends to stick out in the waves. The main characteristic of surfing with a fish is the speed and fluidity they allow. A fish board has more body than a short board and for this reason it is easier to level the weight in adverse conditions. Fish work best in waves that go from the thigh to the head, although sometimes we can see experienced surfers take much bigger waves with this type of board.

Mini Malibu

For those who like longboarding, but would like to have more ease in maneuvering, the mini Malibu is a great option.

In addition to the ease of standing, the shorter size (between 7 and 8 feet) of the mini Malibu aids in mobility and facilitates transport out of the water.

Longboard

A longboard is a surfboard that is 2.5 meters long and is designed for maximum stability. This board must have a wide nose, a lot of volume, and must be single-fin or 2+1. Longboards are the original surfboards in the surfing world, but they have not escaped evolution over the years.

There are longboards that are designed for high performance, as well as the more traditional noseriding and cruising. A single fin requires less friction (more glide), while a 2+1 configuration gives you more grip with the consequent loss of smoothness as there is more wear and tear.

When the waves are affordable nothing works as well as a longboard. Longboards are the perfect type of surfboard for beginners to learn on, but they are difficult to handle in more demanding conditions. This type of board is manageable in small waves, but if you want to tackle a wilder wave, you will need to be experienced as they are not easy to tame in rough conditions.

Shortboard

Do you know what kind of surfboards are the most common and the most used? Yes, shortboards.

Shortboards are boards designed for fast maneuvers. With a design considered as the most evolved, they are versatile boards suitable for all wave conditions, because they offer a good balance between speed and maneuverability.

Do you want to know who they are suitable for? Being a short board, it is the most technical type of surfboard, which requires an intermediate level of surfing to enjoy all its possibilities.

Although it offers more leeway, it is unstable and has a lower fluctuation rate. Therefore, it is not a recommended type of board for beginners.

The short board length is 5 to 6.5 feet, with a pointed, low-volume nozzle.

Gun

Not for the inexperienced, a gun is a specialized surfboard designed for professional waves and to challenge the more experienced. The dimensions can be very similar to those of a longboard (although they can also be as short as 7 feet) but no one would confuse a gun board with a longboard. A gun has a pointed nose and tail and can have any type of fin configuration. These are the most specialized surfboards out there because they are designed for risky waves, where the surfer’s life is literally in danger. The fins are for double-height waves.

These are the main characteristics of a gun board, as they can vary according to the owner’s taste. Many boards are customized, and many of the successes in the surfing world come from mixing characteristics of two different types of surfboards.

For example, in the early 1990s, the “Glass Slipper” shortboard became popular. Extreme thinness and extreme rocker characterized the “Glass Slipper”. These boards were great for people like Kelly Slater in good waves, but not at all the best choice for average surfers in medium waves. People then rediscovered the Fish design and these became popular once again. New board designs began to mix the features of the Fish with the shortboard design and a new board variation was born.

High Performance

These surfboards are used for small waves, both by professional surfers and by amateurs who already have a good physical preparation and greater agility.

For those who already have a good notion of surfing and want more agility and maneuverability, this is a good choice.

Stand Up Paddle Board

For those who want to practice Stand Up Paddle, there is another specific type of board. It may look like a normal surfboard, but it is not.

The Stand Up Paddle Board is the largest surfboard. It has a size, width and thickness that supports the stability of the weight of a person standing in any circumstance, whether on or off the wave.

In addition to the board, in Stand Up Paddle, the surfer carries a flexible paddle to propel and maneuver in the wave. It is a good option for days with small waves and little force.

How to choose my first surfboard?

Surfing is a fascinating sport because, unlike other sports, it depends a lot on factors that you can and cannot control. Many, many times a good surf session is related to the type of wave you are breaking at that moment, the equipment you are wearing that day and yes, of course, your skills as a surfer.

Let’s talk a bit about your first board… Choosing your first surfboard has an emotional appeal because it means you have decided that you really want to invest and evolve in surfing.

The first board will give you incredible moments! Normally it is the board that gives you that almost indescribable feeling of sliding into the sea for the first time. It is also the one that will suffer the impacts of an inexperienced surfer. So you are not just choosing a board, you are about to meet your best friend in the water. This choice depends on a few points that you must take into account.

Do you really need a board?

Okay, it’s great to start surfing and having your own board makes it that much better. But buying a new board requires a lot of research and knowledge if you want to be 100% satisfied with your choice.

So, you have to start with the question “Is this the right time to invest in my first board?”.

There is no rule but, ideally, you should invest in your first board after a few surf lessons. After those days of practice, if you are sure you like it and want to keep surfing, go ahead. This way you avoid ending up making a pointless investment.

Furthermore, let’s suppose you start surfing in a surf school, you end up trying the boards recommended by your teachers, you know the different types of surfing and you already understand better the impact of the different types of boards on the glide under the waves. It would be better to have this background to choose yours, right?

What board did you learn to surf with?

Let’s say you follow our advice and choose to buy your first board after 2 months of surf lessons, ok? Well, think now, what board have you been surfing with?

If you are satisfied with the board you use to learn and want to buy your first board to achieve independence and not have difficulties in the transition from school to surfing on your own, the ideal is to have the model you learned on as a reference.

On the other hand, if you want a different model of board because you already ride the wave, stand up, paddle and cut with the board, it is time to study the different models that we have described in this article. For that, it is good to know what kind of surfing you want to do.

Attention! Keep in mind that the smaller and/or thinner the board you choose, the harder it will be to stand up and keep your balance. That means it may take you a little longer to get used to it and do what you did with the board you were using before.

How often do you surf?

Undoubtedly, practice leads to evolution. This is true for everything in life. Surfing is a sport that to be well done you must have balance, agility, strength, among other skills.

If you surf less than once a week

Standing up is not one of the easiest tasks, but no doubt the ideal board will make it easier. Come to think of it, if you have a few hours of surfing, you’ll need a board that will help you a lot in the process, and won’t make it difficult, right?

In addition, it is essential to remember that the goal of surfing is to have fun above all else. If you want to evolve with a small board, with a very low surfing frequency you may end up leaving the water frustrated.

So if this is your case, using bigger, wider boards with more edge is ideal. This combination will make it easier for you to paddle, stand up and balance to ride the wave.

If you surf more than once a week

The higher the frequency with which you will visit the water, the faster you tend to evolve. Therefore, it is worth considering the option of choosing a board that no matter how difficult it is to master the first few times. You will end up getting the hang of it.

Getting help from professionals

Talk to your surf teacher. If you have a professional who teaches you to surf no doubt his experience will be very important to choose your first board. Ask him what he thinks of the board you use and what he thinks will be the best board style for your knowledge.

It is essential that you know the structure, shapes and types of boards, because it will help you feel secure and confident in making the right decision.

Now that you have your board you just need to try surfing in Lanzarote, we recommend you to come in the fall months when we have the best weather and waves.

What types of Surf are there, which one is yours?

BOOK NOW What types of Surf are there, which one is yours? We are all interested in surfing. However, do

The parts of a surfboard

BOOK NOW The parts of a surfboard Knowing what the parts of a surfboard are will mean acquiring specialized knowledge

The Best Surf Guide: Tenerife

In Tenerife surfing is lived without haste, with salt on the skin and sun on the face. With this guide, you will discover the corners where the sea and the energy of the island meet. Ideal for those who are just starting… and for those who can’t stop.