C
Clarity News Hub

What are the different types of surfboards?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 23, 2026

Surfboard shapes. Surfboards usually fall into five basic categories: shortboards, fish boards, funboards, longboards, and guns.

What shape surfboard is best for beginners?

For beginner surfers, an 8 to 9-foot foam longboard surfboard is one of the best options as an entry-level surfboard for a number of reasons. Foam surfboards are stable, user-friendly, and easy to paddle which makes catching waves and standing up a lot easier.

What is the most popular surf board?

The Shortboard

Shortboards are the most popular surfboard template in the world right now. If you visit a popular surfing beach, you'll find out that 95 percent of the surfers are riding boards between 5'5'' and 6'5''. A shortboard can be difficult to paddle, but it is easier to duck dive than a longboard.

What is the difference in surf boards?

The next type of board is the longboard or malibu (mal). The main difference in design is that the nose of the longboard is rounded. Other than that there is no real difference, though shortboards tend to have three fins and longboards tend to have a single fin.

What are the different shapes of surfboards?

Different Surfboard Shapes – Everything You Need To Know!

  • Longboard.
  • Mini Mal/Funboard.
  • Shortboard.
  • Fish.
  • Groveller.
  • Midlength.
  • Hybrid.
  • Retro.
26 related questions found

What are the 5 major types of surfboards?

Surfboards usually fall into five basic categories: shortboards, fish boards, funboards, longboards, and guns.

What are 60 40 rails?

60/40 rail is going to be turned down with the apex slightly under the middle of the curve of the rail. This type of rail can be blended into both soft and hard rails and is also a great option on smaller wave grovelers, fish and Fun Board options. They generally give you a good blend of maneuverability and stability.

What are the mini surfboards called?

Shortboards

As the name suggests, the shortboard is traditionally the shortest surfboard type available.

What are hybrid surfboards?

A Hybrid surfboard is where a Groveler or Fish type board meet a performance surfboard model. The idea is to incorporate the best of both worlds, the goal is to get a board that is paddles easily is stable and fast like a fish, and yet has the manoeuvrability of a high performance shortboard.

What brand of surfboard is best?

Best Surfboard Brands

  • 1.1 #1 Catch Surf.
  • 1.2 #2 South Bay Board Co.
  • 1.3 #3 Wave Bandit.
  • 1.4 #4 Wavestorm.
  • 1.5 #5 BIC Sport.
  • 1.6 #6 Softech.
  • 1.7 #7 Thurso Surf.
  • 1.8 #8 AlpenFlow.

What is the most expensive surfboard?

A designer has created the world's most expensive surfboard — costing wave-catchers a cool $1.3 million. The beautiful board, named 'The Rampant,' was created by New Zealand-based surfboard-shaper Roy Stuart.

What surfboard is best for big waves?

Gun Surfboards. Gun surfboards are a unique type of surfboard designed to ride large waves. The long, pointed design enables the surfer to paddle into 4 metre plus conditions and create momentum before popping up on top to display their talent.

How long should my first surfboard be?

Your First Surfboard Should Be Big and Thick

Get a board that will give flotation and allows for easy paddling. A good average size board for a beginning surfer would be around 7 feet long and 19-21 inches wide and at least 2-3 inches thick.

How much is a surfboard cost?

How much does a surfboard cost? The average price of a quality surfboard is in the region of $600. However, you'll be able to get quality surfboards for as cheap as $250, and there are plenty for sale towards $1,000 and beyond.

What type of surfboard is best for small waves?

Longboard Surfboards– The longboard is probably one of the easiest surfboards to ride. Its extra length and width give it tons of stability and paddling power. When the surf is really small, you should always grab a longboard. They allow you to surf small waves and ride them for a long time.

What is a fish surfboard?

The Fish Surfboard

When most people think of or refer to a fish surfboard, they are likely referring to a short, wide, flat, and thicker-than-normal surfboard with a bit of volume and a fish-like swallow tail. These are some of the most common defining characteristics of a fish.

What is an egg surfboard?

An egg surfboard is a type of funboard: a mix between a long board and a short board. Eggs get their name from their rounded, egg shaped nose and their short, almost stubby size. While it is not quite as round as an actual egg, its ovular shape gives it a distinct look.

What is better epoxy or fiberglass surfboard?

Epoxy resin is extremely tough and hard wearing. These surfboards are almost indestructible. Whereas traditional fiberglass surfboards are prone to dings, and cracking and erosion. Beginner surfers will find an epoxy surfboard will be a lot more forgiving than a traditional surfboard should they get swept onto rocks.

What is a Malibu surfboard?

A Malibu is slightly shorter and narrower than its larger, longboard counterparts. Instead of 9' in length, a malibu will be somewhere from 7' to 8'6”. The width will be closer to 20″ across instead of 22-25″ wide longboards.

What is a shortboard used for?

Shortboards are ideal for advanced maneuvers like airs, snaps, cutbacks, etc. Their strong rocker (the curve, or “banana” shape of the surfboard from nose to tail), makes it much easier to “hit” critical parts of the wave, as the surfboard's shape “fits” the shape of a breaking wave.

What should I name my surfboard?

Surf slang: What to call your board

  • Soft-top. Jamie O'Brien pushes the limits of his Catch Surf soft-top. ...
  • Speed egg. A perfect example of a modern speed egg, shaped by the legendary Gary Hanel. ...
  • Elephant gun or rhino chaser. ...
  • Retro fish. ...
  • Log. ...
  • Asym. ...
  • Wall Hanger.

What are pinched rails?

Pinched rails: Tighter, pinched out. Usually made for more hollow waves, faster waves. Pinched rails are common on gun type surfboards. 50/50: A hybrid rail where the hard edge of the rail is exactly at its midpoint.

What does a moon tail do?

MOON TAIL. A moon tail is a based off of the classic swallow, usually a bit more pulled in with an arc connecting the rails. This reduces area in the tail of the board for maneuverability and hold, also extending the rail line into a "pin like" tail along each rail.

What does a fish tail surfboard do?

Its very narrow shape means the tail sinks deeper in the water, giving you extra “traction”, a bit like a big fin would. This tail is optimal in big waves and tubes, when surfers need hold and control much more than they need maneuverability and the ability to pivot quickly.