board types
longboards
The longboard or Malibu is the most traditional surfboard shape. It is longer than other surfboards offering better glide and ranges in size from 9-10ft. Typically speaking most longboards will be around 20in wide and 3in deep. The thickness and length makes them very stable in the water, easy to paddle and suitable for an array of wave sizes. More traditional shapes (often called "logs") offer great stability and make it easy to walk up and down the board and potentially get your toes on the nose. Modern shapes (often called "performance longboards") are narrower and have more rocker, which offers better manoeuvrability, especially in steeper waves.
Recommended for: All Skill Levels
stand up paddleboard
Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) utilise a paddle to move through the water and are typically longer, with board sizes ranging from 7-13ft (length) and 24-34in (width). SUPs are constructed using the same materials as most surfboards, however, utilise only one foam type (EPS) in order to reduce the boards overall weight. 10ft x 32in is typically considered a safe option for most beginners.
Recommended for: all skill levels
hybrid
A Hybrid surfboard mixes design features from two board types (Funboard and Shortboard) in order to find a good balance between power, drive and manoeuvrability. Hybrids usually incorporate extra thickness, width and length, which help to catch a wave whilst maintaining stability.
Recommended for: Intermediate to Advanced surfers
fish boards
Fish boards got their name from its fish-like tail profile. Fish boards are usually shorter (5’2–6’4ft in length), wider (between 18–22in) and flatter than a Shortboard, making it work very well in small surf. The Fish was designed to improve a rider’s capability to catch waves and maintain their speed. There is not much curve in the nose of the board so it paddles very well, glides over whitewash and carries speed through flat sections of a wave with ease.
Recommended for: Intermediate surfers looking to ride small to medium waves.
mini mals
The Mini Mal surfboard is a great universal board that is well suited to beginners. It is a smaller version of a Longboard in a more forgiving and comfortable size range. Typically Mini Mals will range in size from 7-8ft in length. Mini Mals have a wide nose and lower rocker just like the Longboard for easy paddling and nose riding whilst also being smaller in size to give you more manoeuvrability and control.
Recommended for: All levels. Also suitable as a step up from your first foamie/ softboard.
shortboard
The Shortboard is the most refined surfboard shape available. Shortboards are designed for high performance surfing offering maximum manoeuvrability, speed, power and control. A shortboard is the most difficult board to ride and requires a higher skill level than other board types. The modern Shortboard is generally less than 7ft long, has thin sides (rails) and an upturned sharp nose (nose rocker). Shortboards provide excellent manoeuvrability, however, they may be a lot more difficult to paddle compared to other board types.
Recommended for: Intermediate or Advanced surfers.
funboards
Funboards are extremely versatile and forgiving due to their wider and thicker shape. The extra width when compared to a shortboard allows the surfer to balance easily and put more power into their turns. Typically Funboards range from 5- 7ft and offer higher volume than a traditional shortboard. This means that a Funboard is a great transitional board (perfect for any surfer looking to move down in size whilst maintaining their paddling power and stability).
Recommended for: Intermediate surfers looking to downsize without sacrificing paddle power.
longboards
The longboard or Malibu is the most traditional surfboard shape. It is longer than other surfboards offering better glide and ranges in size from 9-10ft. Typically speaking most longboards will be around 20in wide and 3in deep. The thickness and length makes them very stable in the water, easy to paddle and suitable for an array of wave sizes. More traditional shapes (often called "logs") offer great stability and make it easy to walk up and down the board and potentially get your toes on the nose. Modern shapes (often called "performance longboards") are narrower and have more rocker, which offers better manoeuvrability, especially in steeper waves.
Recommended for: All Skill Levels
stand up paddleboard
Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs) utilise a paddle to move through the water and are typically longer, with board sizes ranging from 7-13ft (length) and 24-34in (width). SUPs are constructed using the same materials as most surfboards, however, utilise only one foam type (EPS) in order to reduce the boards overall weight. 10ft x 32in is typically considered a safe option for most beginners.
Recommended for: all skill levels
hybrid
A Hybrid surfboard mixes design features from two board types (Funboard and Shortboard) in order to find a good balance between power, drive and manoeuvrability. Hybrids usually incorporate extra thickness, width and length, which help to catch a wave whilst maintaining stability.
Recommended for: Intermediate to Advanced surfers
fish boards
Fish boards got their name from its fish-like tail profile. Fish boards are usually shorter (5’2–6’4ft in length), wider (between 18–22in) and flatter than a Shortboard, making it work very well in small surf. The Fish was designed to improve a rider’s capability to catch waves and maintain their speed. There is not much curve in the nose of the board so it paddles very well, glides over whitewash and carries speed through flat sections of a wave with ease.
Recommended for: Intermediate surfers looking to ride small to medium waves.
mini mals
The Mini Mal surfboard is a great universal board that is well suited to beginners. It is a smaller version of a Longboard in a more forgiving and comfortable size range. Typically Mini Mals will range in size from 7-8ft in length. Mini Mals have a wide nose and lower rocker just like the Longboard for easy paddling and nose riding whilst also being smaller in size to give you more manoeuvrability and control.
Recommended for: All levels. Also suitable as a step up from your first foamie/ softboard.
shortboard
The Shortboard is the most refined surfboard shape available. Shortboards are designed for high performance surfing offering maximum manoeuvrability, speed, power and control. A shortboard is the most difficult board to ride and requires a higher skill level than other board types. The modern Shortboard is generally less than 7ft long, has thin sides (rails) and an upturned sharp nose (nose rocker). Shortboards provide excellent manoeuvrability, however, they may be a lot more difficult to paddle compared to other board types.
Recommended for: Intermediate or Advanced surfers.
funboards
Funboards are extremely versatile and forgiving due to their wider and thicker shape. The extra width when compared to a shortboard allows the surfer to balance easily and put more power into their turns. Typically Funboards range from 5- 7ft and offer higher volume than a traditional shortboard. This means that a Funboard is a great transitional board (perfect for any surfer looking to move down in size whilst maintaining their paddling power and stability).
Recommended for: Intermediate surfers looking to downsize without sacrificing paddle power.
longboards
The longboard or Malibu is the most traditional surfboard shape. It is longer than other surfboards offering better glide and ranges in size from 9-10ft. Typically speaking most longboards will be around 20in wide and 3in deep. The thickness and length makes them very stable in the water, easy to paddle and suitable for an array of wave sizes. More traditional shapes (often called "logs") offer great stability and make it easy to walk up and down the board and potentially get your toes on the nose. Modern shapes (often called "performance longboards") are narrower and have more rocker, which offers better manoeuvrability, especially in steeper waves.
Recommended for: All Skill Levels
