What is a high volume surfboard?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 20, 2026
The High Volume category of boards are originally designed with more volume for easier paddling and wave catching, yet still offer the performance that lower volume models do. If you are over 190 lbs, these models are well suited to your weight class. Other models can be ordered with more volume as well.
What volume should my surfboard be?
As a general rule, a beginner should be riding the equivalent of 100% of their body weight in volume. I.e. A beginner weighing 80kg should be riding a surfboard around 80 litres in volume. Alternatively, an experienced surfer can ride a surfboard that's 35% - 40% of their body weight in volume.
Is more volume better surfboard?
The extra volume will help them paddle into bigger waves. The bigger the waves are, the faster they move forward, so at a certain point, surfers need that extra paddle power. The extra volume also increases stability and hold, because small shortboards can feel a bit too loose on big waves.
What does volume on a surfboard mean?
What's Surfboard Volume:
Volume is the amount of area (In litres) contained in a surfboard, calculated by its overall length, width, thickness & foil. Volume is a benefit of computer-assisted shaping. Volume is the first measurement to look at when choosing what surfboard size to buy.
What volume do pro surfers use?
Intermediate surfers that weigh 150 pounds would want a board with around 25 to 26 liters of volume. Advanced surfers should subtract around 1.3 liters from that amount (23.7 to 24.7)
39 related questions foundCan you duck dive a 40l board?
The principle is that you should be able to duck dive around 1 liter for every 4 to 4.5 pounds of your weight, depending on your skill level. If you're a beginner, divide your weight by 4.5 pounds.
What volume surfboard can you duck dive?
As a bit of a guideline, 2.0lbs/L is probably the smallest board that's practical for learning in the white water, while 3.5-4lbs/L is probably the biggest board that most people can duckdive.
What size surfboard should I get for my height?
Rule of thumb is to get a longboard 3ft longer than your height. So for me, I'm 6' 180lbs and I ride a 9'0".
Do foam boards have more volume?
Foam surfboards are wider, thicker, and have more volume than a hard top surfboard, making it easier for anyone to catch even the smallest fat wave.
Is a shorter surfboard faster?
Shortboards offer more responsiveness, maneuverability, which allows skilled and professional surfers to do amazing maneuvers and tricks. Surfboards with less length are better for making sharp cuts in the waves, as well as picking up more speed, because there is less surface area.
What makes a surfboard a fish?
The fish in today's terms could have 2, 3, or 4 fins. What makes a fish surfboard so fun and unique is that it combines a few highly beneficial elements. It combines compact volume in a short template, wide tail width, and stability of a squash tail and the rail control of a pintail.
Are longer boards easier to paddle?
Long Surfboards
Length helps you paddle faster and catch more waves. Your surfboard will hold a longer water line, which helps with stability. Longer boards are great for when the waves are bigger, as the extra surface area will help the board feel less shaky at high speed.
How do you know if your surfboard is too small?
The waves frequently roll under you and your surfboard.
Bigger surfboards tend to be more buoyant in the water and chances are your surfboard is too small for you. To get moving down the surface of the waves, you need to catch some speed.
Is a 7ft surfboard good for beginners?
For kids under 12, something around the 7ft mark is ideal. If they're on the taller side, something around 6'6” or 6'2” in a fish surfboard. These are perfect for aiding progression in the early stages of learning. Choosing the right surfboard that has enough buoyancy or “float” helps in aiding paddling.
Is a 6 foot surfboard good for beginners?
What size is a beginner surfboard? A good rule of thumb for beginner surfboards is to start with a longboard that is about 3 feet longer than your height. So if you're 5'6” to 6'0” tall, an 8'6” to 9'0” longboard would be pretty ideal.
What is a good size surfboard for beginners?
A minimal surfboard is what we recommend for most beginner surfers. It is the mid-range of surfboards lengthwise varying from about 7-8ft and about 2 5/8″ – 3” thick. The width of a minimal can vary to cater for the rider but typically they are about 20 1/2″-22 1/2” wide.
Can you surf big waves on a longboard?
Don't Take Your Longboard to the Big Waves
A longboard is not the weapon of choice for overhead surf, especially in fast, barreling waves with occasional closeout guillotines. If you lose control of a longboard during strong swells, the chances of breaking a leash and injuring yourself and others are incredibly high.
What is considered a shortboard?
You'll recognize a shortboard by them being under 7 feet in length. Their shorter length makes them faster and perfect for tackling more powerful waves.
Are Degree 33 surfboards good?
This is my third board from Degree 33 and I love them all. I'm on the east coast in Cocoa Beach FL the poacher is perfect board for those mushy summer waves. It is maneuverable enough to make it a blast to ride! Fantastic customer service and a great board.
Can you duck dive with a foam board?
And Foamboards are notoriously more buoyant to help beginner surfers catch waves more easily, and make the whole pop up process more forgiving. So as a rule of thumb, any foamboard between five and seven feet can be duck-dived (just about), but anything above that will be almost impossible.
Can you duck dive with a longboard?
To duck dive on a longboard, addle on a 45 degree angle to the wave, push one rail down as the wave's approaching, knife the board under the water towards the wave and press into your board with your knees then pull with your arms. This maneuver is difficult and requires strength and expertise.
How deep do you need to duck dive?
For the average person, I would say trying to duck dive anything over 6 to 8 feet is going to be more dangerous than beneficial.” Because bailing your board comes with its risks, Ricky tries to duck dive whenever he possibly can.