How to Choose a surfboard
Before buying a surfboard for water sport. You can read the detail of this product and review form customer.
Characteristics of a surfboard:
A surfboard has several characteristics that influence its drive (its handling in some ways), its maneuverability, ease of rowing and take-off (when the surfer gets up on his board), the trajectories of the surfer etc.
Length:
The length of a surfboard is expressed in feet and inches which are the English measures (for example 6’2 ”).
Outline:
The outline designates the general shape of the board.
The more advanced the beam is, the more the board is stable at high speed and allows driving with a lot of flow. The further he is, the more the board is manageable at low speed and allows radical turns.
Tail: The tail designates the back of the board, there is a multitude of the tail and different combinations of tails. A wide tail offers lift and maneuverability but is unstable at high speed. A narrow tail offers less maneuverability but ensures good stability at high speeds.
Nose: The nose designates the front of the board. A pointed nose allows attacking hollow waves while a rounded nose allows an easy and more comfortable paddle on small to medium waves (and nose-riding on a longboard).
Rails: It indicates the junction between the top and the bottom of the board, it can be more or less pinched. The more the rail is pinched, the more the board hangs the water.
Rocker:
It designates the arch of the board. The weaker it is and the faster the board, the greater the danger of “baking” (planting the nose).
Drift (s): Designate (s) the fins of the board; they serve to direct the board. There are several assemblies, in the single end (central fin), twin fins (two side fins), thruster (twin + central fin) or quad (two side fins).
You must choose your drifts according to your weight and your level. The heavier you are, the larger your fins must be and the more muscular you are, the stiffer they must be.
The thruster is the most widespread, it allows to execute the contemporary maneuvers. But trying other montages will offer you new sensations and the possibility of drawing new paths!
Drifts are used for directional control and are responsible for up to 30% of board efficiency.
There are different sets of fins, which can be fixed or removable :
Thruster: the most widespread today, it offers a good compromise of stability and maneuverability; which makes him the ultimate weapon for performing the maneuvers of the contemporary repertoire.
Quattro: also called quad, it is ideal for hollow waves. It brings speed and grip but remains less maneuverable than the thruster.
Twin fins: often coupled with a board with little rocker, the twin can generate a maximum of speed but does not allow tight turns and offers less grip than the Quattro.
Single end: it is the oldest assembly; the single will allow you to the cruiser and draw big curves like any good soul self-respecting surf.
To properly choose your single drift and understand how it works, here are the essential elements to take into account:
The length: by increasing the length of your drift you gain in stability, by decreasing it you favor the maneuverability and the reactivity.
The width (base): by increasing the width of your drift you gain speed, by decreasing it you favor maneuverability and reactivity.
So choose for example a large and wide drift if you prefer the noseriding and a smaller and narrower to facilitate your turns and reduce the arc of your curves.
The rake: the more the rake is important (so the more the drift is “dug”), and the more the board will have drive ie holding and stability in the curves.
The flex: the more the drift will have flexibility and the more you will gain maneuverability and recovery, but the more you will also lose in pure speed.