How to Choose the Right Surfboard?
Whether it is the buff and heroic Frankie Avalon, the herbally influenced philosopher Jeff Spicolli, or the comedically facile Brody Jenner, the surfer is an often chronicled persona in American culture. If you are thinking of taking a trip to Hawaii to hang ten or even five, you are probably wondering what you should look for in a surfboard.
Before you buy a board, you may want to find a Kona surf shop that can rent you a board. That way, you can compare several styles of the board before selecting the one that is right for you. You may also choose to rent simply because they will charge you an extra fee to lug it back on an airplane.
What Any Surfer Needs to Take Into Consideration
Both beginning and advanced surfers must take a few things under advisement before selecting a board. You want to think about the condition of the waves in the area, your skills, and your own athleticism. One of the most important things a surfer must take into consideration is the volume of the surfboard.
What is surfboard volume?
The volume of a surfboard is the measure of the area in liters contained in a surfboard. Volume is calculated by the length, width and thickness, and foil of a surfboard. The basic formula is length x width x height = volume. A team member at a surf shop can recommend the volume of the right board for you based on your weight.
Low Volume Boards
In some cases, a more experienced surfer may select a low-volume board. This is a lower volume surfboard than would normally be recommended for a person’s weight. It gives a person better control of a surfboard. It will be easier to maneuver around on the water if you use a low-volume board.
The disadvantage of a low-volume board is that you are putting more weight on it than it was intended to carry. This might cause the board to drag. You will have to work harder to gain speed, which means you will have to be in pretty good shape.
High Volume Boards
As you may have guessed a high-volume board is one that is heavier than is recommended for your weight. These boards are typically used by novice surfers. It is easier to balance yourself on such a board and you can even use a paddle when you ride it.
Consider the Waves
The waves are different in Southern California than they are in the Aloha State. You will want to think about where you are surfing and at what time of year. There are several websites that alert surfers to the swell of waves in their area. This is another reason it is better to rent a board than buy one.
The tail of a surfboard works with the wind. If the waves are weak you will want to get a board with a wide tail. A wider tail board will perform better if the waves are weak that day, and a narrower tail will work better if they are large.
A fish model surfboard is rather small and designed to sit slightly above the water, and it will fair better with smaller waves. It is often used by beginners. It is about 1 to 3 feet in length. A high-performance board will be 4 to 8 feet long, and it is generally used by more advanced surfers in all kinds of conditions.
Choosing the right board is complex, and you should have the assistance of a surf shop professional when selecting the right one for you. There is nothing quite as thrilling as riding a wave with the wind in your hair. The perfect surfboard will let you surf stoked rather than wiping out.