Surfing requires a minimum of equipment: a board and shorts. But this is only at first glance.
However, the most intense attention must be paid to the choice of board. Many beginners want to ride shortboards because... they are smaller and lighter. In addition, the professionals they saw rode exactly such boards. Professionals are professionals, but you need to learn on a big board. It is more stable, has greater buoyancy, and is easier to row on such boards. Therefore, it is better to choose a longboard, and the most suitable option will become a softboard. In any case, you need to take a board 60 centimeters larger than your height.
Surfboards There are several types. Long boards - longboards - are the most ancient and have a variety of shapes. Ghana - big wave boards. They have equal parts “destructive power” and functionality. Short boards - shortboards - allow you to perform breathtaking tricks on the waves, with greater maneuverability.
LONGBOARDS/longboard(long boards)
Polynesians once migrated to the island from big trees, from which they began to make their boards (called “olo”), the parameters of such a board are a bit like a boat, its length is 6 m or more. They made surfboards out of everything possible materials- from koa, mahogany to polyurethane foam. Over time, these boards began their evolution.
Longboards are very popular among beginners, as they are the most suitable boards to start learning. Thanks to their stability, they make it easier to get on the board and help you maintain better balance. Longboards with a minimum length of 2.74m (9′0) are large, wide, heavy boards with a rounded nose. Much less maneuverable than modern surfboards.
The modern longboard is a prime example of the evolution of surfboards - an example of going back while moving forward.
MINIMALIBU
Minimalibu are the most suitable boards for beginners. They are smaller than the huge longboards, but are just as great for teaching those new to the sport. Their length, width, and volume allow you to feel the wave very quickly under minimal conditions. You will appreciate their comfort and simplicity at the beginning of each wave. The size of these surfboards is 2.20m (7′2) - 2.60m (8′5)
EVOLUTIV/the evolute
Something between a shortboard and a longboard, designed for progressive and/or surfers good level preparation. The length of such boards is from 1.90 (6′2) to 2.20 m (7′2) width - 49-52 cm. Suitable for any waves, ideally combining maneuverability and stability.
GHANAS/big-wave guns(big wave boards)
Ganas are created specifically for big waves; they are a whole weapon for conquering the elements. Ghana is not for the timid. They have “destructive force” and great functionality. These boards feature clean, uncluttered lines and can be made from very simple components.
SHORTBOODS(short boards)
Designed for experienced surfers. A shortboard is a short and narrow board that is characterized by its technical qualities: aggressive, high-performance and maneuverable. Board dimensions 1.5m (4′9) - 2.10m (6′9). The ultra-radical surfing that can be seen in those who use such boards is rather a consequence of the amazing balance of seemingly contradictions that come together in this board. A beginner will feel uncomfortable on this one - it’s too difficult to find balance and hold on. Acceleration and drag all come together in the most complex, temperamental and variable surf design ever built by the craftsmen.
Surfing is an exciting water riding on a board, which has become not just a recreational activity, but a prestigious sport. Classic surfing is riding on the natural waves of the sea or ocean. Over the years of its development, it is constantly being improved, and new directions are emerging. Types of water surfing are divided depending on the location, characteristics of the boards, waves and additional equipment used for riding. To get acquainted with this sport and first train, beginners choose moderate surfing. Professional athletes and thrill-seekers choose extreme sports.
In addition to classic surfing, its various types deserve worthy attention and respect. What each of them has in common is water riding and the use of special boards.
Wake
The best extreme activity for countries and regions where there are no sea and ocean coasts with waves. Wakesurfers ride the waves created by a boat. The speed of water transport for this sport is in most cases about 16 kilometers per hour. It is precisely this kind of fast movement that is most comfortable and at the same time quite exciting for a waker riding on the water behind a boat. When surfing, at first the surfer is pulled by a special halyard - a rope that helps to start moving and accelerate. Later you need to let her go and ride the board along the boat wave.
Bodyboarding
A type of surfing that uses a short board with a soft surface. To ride, the surfer takes a lying position on the surfboard, which allows you to relax and get a lot of adrenaline at the same time.
Wind
This is surfing on water, in which movement is provided by the force of the wind. For skating, a lightly weighted board is used, to which a special sail is attached. Windsurfing can be done even in light winds.
Kite
A very spectacular type of surfing, which is characterized by movement on the surface of the water or on waves using the draft force created by a large kite. Kitesurfing combines the conquest of water and airspace. If an athlete learns to control a kiteboard well, he will be able to perform excellent tricks that are only possible in this sport.
To master classic or other types of surfing, you should visit the best spots and become a student at a surf school with talented instructors. You can take your first steps in Russia, but to achieve high level professionalism is worth going to Hawaii, Morocco, Portugal, Bali, Australia or Spain - those places where surfing is developed at a high level.
GoSurf Limited is official distributor world famous surf brands: Channel Islands, LOST, FireWire, Pukas, Torq. We have collected for you best models surfboards in Moscow with the possibility of delivery anywhere in Russia. Always in stock a good choice surfboards for different levels of riding, which you won’t always find in surf shops in other countries. We will qualitatively help you choose a shortboard, minimalibu, longboard and buy a surfboard that suits your level of riding and the specifics of the waves. You can also pre-order from us a board of any model and any size from the presented brands. Now you have the opportunity to buy a surfboard, the price of which will not exceed its cost abroad.
Exists a large number of types of surfboards.
Soft-top or soft-top boards (board lengths from 6 to 9 feet) are mainly intended for beginners, but there are also models for more technical surfing.
Longboards - boards from 8.6 to 10 feet are suitable for beginners and riders who prefer a classic surf style on small, gentle waves.
Minimalibu (fanboard) is a great option for those who are already confident on a longboard, but are not yet ready for a shortboard. This perfect choice for surfing on wind waves. When the size of the wave and its energy are not enough for a full-fledged shortboard, the funboard rides almost on the flat.
Shortboard is a short board for technically difficult surfing with a lot of maneuvers, turns, and tricks.
When you decide to buy a surfboard, answer the following questions for yourself:
- what is your surfing level?
- what is your height and weight?
- how often do you plan to ride?
Here are a few general rules, which will help you buy the right surfboard, 2 parameters are important in surfboards: shape and volume:
Previously, everyone was guided by the length of the board, because... The shape of the surfboards was approximately the same for all models. Volume is important now, because... a huge number of hybrid boards have appeared different forms. Shapers experimented a lot and without bending the volume it is not possible to navigate surfboards.
- there are many parameters that characterize the shape of the board (nose and tail shape, rocker, concave, rails). General advice like this: a wider surfboard is suitable for small waves, a more curved surfboard for sharper waves and tube sections. On boards with less aggressive and flat rocker and more volume in the bow, it will be easier to paddle into the wave and get up in its comfortable phase. The width and shape of the tail affects maneuverability, etc. and so on.
In any case, if you need a surfboard, it is better to buy it after consulting with a specialist in a surf shop or a more experienced surfer. You can always get advice on choosing a board in our store, by phone or email.
Call 8 926 072 88 72 and you will receive high-quality advice and we will 100% select the surfboard that you need!
Once upon a time, there were only two types of boards on the beach: longboards and shortboards. And since all the boards had similar characteristics, in order to choose a surfboard, it was enough to simply find your “length”.
Now surfboards are created in different shapes: longboards, shortboards, hybrids, fish, retro, twin and others. 20" shortboards used to be the widest, now 23" is the new 20. Same with thickness. It was rare to see a projectile larger than 2.5 inches. Now there are 3+ and less than 2.
So, length is no longer the most important indicator. The choice is based on the length of the surfboard in the past.
What type of board do I need?
The first and most important way to discard unnecessary options is to understand for what level of riding and in what conditions you need a surfboard and choose the most suitable shape. Small waves, big waves or maybe a board for solo paddle boarding along the shore? If you can answer yourself honestly, this will allow you to discard 75% of the options and choose from several. The design of the board, its shape, is the most important thing.Design will give full list deck performance characteristics. Now there is a huge selection even within one category - shapes.
Here are some examples of why design is the main and first selection criterion:
1. Beginners need a deck design that makes it easy to paddle and catch waves. These can be anything from flatter rocker hybrids to funboards and longboards (these are three different main types of design.
2. An experienced surfer looks at a shortboard for small to medium waves. Which to choose?
3. You need a board that will unleash the full potential of a small but very ruthless surf.
Let's move on to talking about the deck design. Some designs have less volume because they have wide tails or a deep concave to create lift. Others are bulkier for paddling and have a flat bottom shape for easier turns. Board design should be the determining factor before moving on to the next options.
Here are a few characteristics that will help you choose a surfboard design:
- Flatter rocker for flat colliding waves.
- Cool rocker for hollow, curvy waves.
- Wide bows and flatter bow rocker make paddling and catching waves much easier. Even when compared to simply adding board length or volume.
- Wide tails create more lift and speed, but the ride is shorter than boards with regular tails.
- Narrow tails create less lift and the board sits deeper in the water during turns. This is suitable for higher speeds and larger waves.
Three standard surfboard designs
Longboards– long and wide. Suitable for beginners. These are stable boards that accelerate even from a small wave near the shore. Typically, a longboard has a wide nose and a tapering shape towards the tail.
Fanboard– medium-sized boards. An intermediate link between the first type of boards and the third. Suitable for both beginners and advanced riders. Also pay attention to the width of the deck, the rocker, and the shape of the nose and tail.
Shortboard– short compared to other surfboards. Very maneuverable. Designed for large and fast waves. Shortboards come in narrow waists with pointed toes and various types tails. There are also shorts for small waves - these are more flattened, wide boards with a low rise and flatter nose.
What volume is right for me?
Roughly speaking, the volume of a board is how much space the board takes up in space. For example, three boards equal length They have the same value at their widest point, but are so different in shape that one board is 40 liters, another is 45, and the third is all 50. That's the point.
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How deep the board will submerge under water depends on the volume. Professionals choose boards around 3 kg/l, beginners a board will do with a ratio of one to one or close. This determines how easy it will be for you in the water.
What are the optimal dimensions for a surfboard?
Once upon a time this item was in first place. Now it seems like he's heading towards the bottom of the list. So, having decided for what conditions and what level you need a board, what volume it should be, you need to choose its dimensions.You should know that a narrower board will be faster and a wider board will be smoother and more stable. Turns on narrow boards are easier, but turns on wide boards require correct technique, which means they hone their skills. Longer boards have a larger surface - even a small wave accelerates them better, while short boards give the rider more room to maneuver on a big wave.
What material will my projectile be made of?
Proven and already classic ones are made of polyurethane (PU/Poly). They are quite light and moderately durable. If you are not ready to experiment, then you can opt for these beautiful surfboards. And yet, alternative technologies are on the rise, with boards that are lighter, more durable and more resilient in turns. Alternative designs use recycled foams that are safe for environment materials and resins. the main objective These technologies make the board as light as a Pro level board and more durable than standard PU/Poly.Nowadays their price is higher than polyurethane boards, but riding them is something that is addictive.
What is your riding level?
A beginner surfer only needs one board on which he can progress from “I got on a wave for the first time” to a certain level where he already has progress in riding. For this, it is important to choose a stable board with a large volume. For most people, this board measures around 7-8 feet and is 22 inches wide and 3 inches thick.Softboard is a good option for the beginner as they are buoyant and stable boards. They are quite voluminous, it is easy to rake them and get into the wave in the first rows.
Added width and thickness combined with general outline on these boards (the wider, rounder nose and wider tail) provide more stability when trying to get on a wave.
Once you understand the basic principles of skating, you can upgrade to fiberglass decks and start downsizing and looking for a new design to suit your abilities and riding conditions.
Having answered the main questions, you can choose exactly the one you need. Decide on your level, imagine what waves you will ride and choose suitable design boards. Then compare its volume with your weight, find optimal solution and decide on the dimensions of your future “projectile”. After that, you will only have to decide whether it will be a classic surf surf made of polyurethane or whether you need new alternative, more expensive technologies.
A surfboard is an important piece of surfing equipment. Skating is impossible without it. The modern surfboard has come a long way in design and creation. The first skateboards used by the Hawaiians were made entirely of wood. The modern surfboard, lightweight and durable, is handcrafted by professional shapers from polystyrene foam and then coated with a layer of fiberglass. But this is not static art; Surfboard design evolves as quickly as a wet surfer changes clothes in a cold wind. Let's look at the names of the different parts of a surfboard so you'll look knowledgeable when you're trying to convince your mom to buy you a new chalkboard.
