WAVESURFING GUIDE

HELP IN FINDING THE RIGHT SURFING BOARD AND VALUABLE TIPS

VÄGLEDNING & TIPS

- Choosing the right surfboard

- Board facts

- Fin types/fin systems

- Wax/pad/leash

- Board transportation

THE RIGHT BOARD - SO IMPORTANT FOR HAVING FUN

Ok - everyone who is into surfing knows that it is the most amazing thing there is, just as everyone who is into with surfing how hard is it. It is for sports that are very dependent on having the right equipment like surfing when you are going to learn - with the right equipment it makes it easier and faster.

Be honest with yourself!

The first thing you need to do is ask yourself ”how good am I?” what level am I at? Broadly speaking, there are three levels of wave surfing.

BEGINNER

Pretty obvious level – you’re new to the board. Maybe you’ve been to surf school and surfed a bit, but you need to practice paddling technique, pop-ups and finding the right stance on the board. Even if you sometimes get it right and can surf “green waves”, you’re still a beginner. Our experience is that as a Swedish surfer you are in this stage for quite a long time - it takes countless hours of training to get to the next level.

As a beginner you need the extra stability that softboards, beginner boards and selected longboards and funboards provide. The right board can be the difference between getting on the board or not during a session.

INTERMEDIATE SURFERS

As an intermediate surfer you are comfortable on The wave is fast and you get the waves you want. You paddle, drop, find your stance and wave on the wave and make some turns on the facet. Your goal is to go faster and get closer to the critical point and get more power in your maneuvers.

ADVANCED SURFER

As an advanced surfer - you surf a lot and relatively constantly. You have the technique and can vary yourself according to the wave and conditions. You are sure to wave and would like to take the chance to ”tuba”.

1- SHORTBOARDS

As the name suggests - short, small boards. In
this category you will find boards for skilled surfers who want maximum maneuverability. These boards have a small volume and require
steep, powerful waves and above all an experienced skilled surfer who knows where to position himself as well as on wave as at take-off.

2- HYBRID

The development in wave surfing has been very rapid in recent years - a lot of it is thanks to the fact that surfing has now also gained a foothold in countries where the waves were previously considered too bad. We have chosen to call the new generation of short boards hybrids. These are short boards with increased volume and width that make it possible to surf progressively on a small board even in Swedish waves. Volume and width in combination with a straighter outline and rocker give these boards speed and performance.

A hybrid is the right board for the intermediate/advanced surfer who wants to ride a short board even in slow waves.

However, it is not only in small slow waves that the board delivers, but most of the models also deliver well in head-high waves. Several of the boards span a wide range when it comes to length and volume and of course there is a big difference on the smallest one.

3- MINI MALS/ FUNBOARDS

Mini Mals are smaller versions of longboards. They have increased volume with a long waterline that gives speed to the paddling and makes it easy to catch the wave. The round nose provides stability and control. A mini mal is between 7 and 8 ft.

Funboards are pretty much the same as mini mals except that the nose is a little smaller. This makes funboards a little easier to dive through the waves with a mini mal. However, we don't want to say that neither mini mals nor funboards allow you to "duck diva" with them.

Funboards and mini mals work in a wide spectrum and are the ultimate boards for those of you who are starting to get the hang of surfing and are looking for a little more challenge and performance on the water.

4- LONGBOARDS

Master of style! Longboards are the board for every day with small waves or for those who like long rides with lots of flow and nice turns.

Longboards are the most traditional surfing style. The boards are usually around 9 ft or longer so they are sturdy boards. The length that gives a long waterline and the volume make them easy to paddle and to catch waves, some (not all) longboards are therefore a good option for less experienced surfers who want to catch a lot of waves.

Longboards are definitely not just for beginners - longboard surfing is its own religion with its own style of surfing. With a longboard you get the opportunity to cruise in the waves and with the right board (and knowledge) you can walk up the board and do a hang ten (10 feet ahead of the nose of the board). Longboards with more volume in the nose are often called noseriders. Then there are other models of longboards that turn more like a shortboard and give a more carving feel.

Longboards are a board model that everyone should have in their quiver - with a longboard you get more waves. Longboarding is a lot about style so think about what suits you - do you want to turn or slide? And make your choice based on this.

5- BEGINNER BOARDS/ SOFTBOARDS

To make it as easy as possible to ride your first boards and learn how to get on the board, these boards are big, wide and thick. The nose of the board is large and round, which makes it easier to paddle and provides better stability.

These boards are designed to make it as easy as possible to catch waves and learn how to get on the board. People often talk about "foam surfing", i.e. catching a wave that has already broken and then surfing straight ahead on the white water. With these boards you get lots of waves and the opportunity to practice your pop-up and stance.

A softboard/beginner board should be used in smaller and slower waves (we have a lot of them in Sweden).

Our recommendation is to surf on large waves for a long time, because when you take a smaller board you will get more waves. It is by getting waves that you learn to surf and are the ultimate boards for those of you who are starting to get the hang of surfing and want a little more challenge and performance on the waves.

Easy to paddle and to catch waves, some (not all) longboards are therefore a good option for less experienced surfers who want to catch a lot of waves.

Longboards are definitely not just for beginners - longboard surfing is a religion of its own with its own style of surfing. With a longboard you have the opportunity to cruise the waves and with the right board (and knowledge) you can walk on the the bridge and make a hang ten (10 years).













Take a look at the side profile of the board and you will see what is called the rocker curve. It is the sweep of the board in the nose and tail when you see it from the side. A board with a very clear rocker curve is very maneuverable and turns easily. A flatter rocker on the The board makes it fast but somewhat harder to turn. Look at the outline or contour line of the board. A wide outline is good for slightly smaller waves while a narrow outline is better suited for larger and more powerful waves.

ROCKER

Rocker is how much bend the board has from the nose to the tail and determines the turning characteristics of the board. The more bend/curve the easier the board will turn, but it will also This means you have less “DRIVE” which is what helps you accelerate and maintain speed. In short, if you are surfing a pocket of the wave or a fast breaking wave where quick turns are required, you will need a board with more rocker to handle. If the wave is fat and slow, then A flatter rocker may be better for maintaining speed through dead sections of the road.

THICKNESS

A board that is slightly thicker will float more easily and be easier to paddle, but will feel slow and difficult to maneuver for someone who is small and light. Take your weight and conditions into consideration when choosing a board.

BOARD WIDTH

The wider the board, the more stable it will be, while also allowing it to plan a little earlier. How wide the tail is will determine how grippy the board will be. Shortboards generally have a wider tail while Guns have a narrower tail for increased drive and stiffness.

BOTTOM SHAPE

The bottom shape is the curve from rail to rail and is perhaps the most complex and most debatable element your board has.

Concavity: Allows water to flow under your board out towards the tail, giving more acceleration and speed. Different variants are available such as single concave, double concave, single that transitions to double concave (single under your forefoot and transitions to double under your backfoot).

Channels: First of all, channels are designed to give your board high speed and are perfect for very powerful turns. The negative is that it can be too grippy and the board will go on pipes if the channels are too deep.

V-shape: Designed to give the board the ability to quickly switch from one cut on one rail to the other. The V-design provides high maneuverability, but loses a little in speed.

THE TAIL (BACK)

Rounded square tail: Äs the most popular design for shortboards, rounded square Äs soft and forgiving in all conditions.

Square tail: Äs not very common, used for smaller waves. Unfortunately not as forgiving as Rounded square.

Swallow tail: Gives good drive thanks to a slightly longer rail but also a little more loose due to less surface area in the tail. Perfect tail for a Fish.

Round tail: Good when you edge the rail, round tail also gives softer turns. Good for surfers who are more forefoot.

Pin tail: The traditional tail for big waves. Holds the grip and goes soft, good when it comes to holding your line in a crazy wave valley.

FIN SYSTEMS

There are several different types of fin systems on the market. The difference between the systems does not make a dramatic difference in the performance of the board. However, the fins you put in the boxes can make a huge difference to the board's performance.