Why Should I Buy A Board Online? Shortboard Or Longboard? How Does Board Length Matter?

Longboard Styles Any Questions?

Well, unless you are buying an established, rock-solid brand -- the only kind we sell at SurfDogz -- DON'T. But when you know you are going to get a fine quality brand name like Arrow, Haut or Rice, consider: The boards you see on our web rack are exactly what you get, and you get them quick, delivered right to your door. Ordering a custom board is always a risky matter, and trying to do it over the telephone -- even with a well intentioned and reputable builder -- can be a time-consuming disaster, where the results are just not quite what you had in mind. (Ordering in person is difficult enough!)

To help you make a selection, e-mail us with your preferences, experience, style, the type of waves you generally ride, and your height and weight. We will be happy to make some suggestions as to specific boards that would suit your needs.

If you are just starting in surfing, or are coming back after a long layoff, you may need to make this basic decision.

Shortboards
A shortboard has the advantage of extreme maneuverability. Tight turns, vertical movement, even aerials are possible, and as you become adept at surfing a shortboard can become an extension of your body. Top level competitive surfers perform on shortboards because the most radical moves in the most critical wave sections are possible.

Surfing a shortboard well requires top physical conditioning, agility, and quick reflexes. The main drawback for many people is the amount of physical effort required to paddle a shortboard -- especially for long distances -- and to accelerate to the speed necessary to catch waves. The other disadvantage for a beginner is the initial feeling of instability. However, if you are young and fit and can surf often enough to get good at it, by all means jump on to a shortboard.

Longboards
Longboards are making a big comeback for a number of reasons. Modern longboards are lighter, easier to handle, and easier to catch waves on. You can catch your share of waves and have a ball on a longboard even if you are not particularly young or in peak condition, yet you can also improve your skill to perform radical maneuvers not possible on the old-time "logs." Longboards enable more "senior" surfers to continue having fun in the sport they love, and even let older surfers enter the sport, who frankly would just be frustrated trying to learn to surf on a shortboard. It is also easier to ride a longboard in small waves and mushy conditions that just don't provide the "juice" needed to effectively carve with a shortboard. Certain extreme maneuvers cannot be performed on a longboard (although hot longboarders are breaking new ground every day.) To compensate, there is a style, a tradition, and a whole bag of tricks unique to longboarding.

Most adults should seriously consider learning to surf on a longboard. Have fun, catch waves, and get the basics down. If you begin to feel constricted, you can work your way down in board size to suit your ability and style.

"In-Between Boards"
There are many intermediately sized boards which offer some of the advantages of both long- and short- boards. These include "hybrids," best described as a long short board, and "eggs" or "fun boards" (see Longboard Styles below) which are more like short longboards. These are generally in the seven- to eight-foot range and may be the answer if you want to catch waves easier than on a true shortboard but still maintain higher maneuverability than a full longboard.

Shortboards
Size is very subjective because the amount of flotation you "need" depends on your physical strength and experience, both of which affect your ability to paddle and catch waves. Even very small differences in length, width, and thickness are detectable to an experienced rider. If you are experienced, you probably already know what size you want. If you are a beginner or intermediate of average build, a good rule of thumb for a board of average proportion is to ride a board about six inches over your height. If you are lanky, knock off a couple of inches from the board. If you are stocky, add length and/or thickness to your boards. Best recommendation for first-timers? Borrow your friends' boards and see what feels right, or at least what feels too big or too small.

Longboards
A correctly sized longboard will float you a certain way. Laying still on the board, you should be able to center yourself so that the nose is an inch or two above the surface and the rest of the board slopes slightly toward the tail, which is only a couple of inches beneath the surface. When paddling with the nose a couple of inches above the surface the "trim" of the board should be about level, and when you stop paddling your board should continue to glide for several feet. Some water will run over the rails along your body; in fact, if you float "high and dry" your board floats you too well, and that hurts wave-riding performance.

If your board floats you correctly, you should be able to "sprint" quickly up to a plane for take-offs, and your board should begin to accelerate or glide down the face of a wave without the wave having to be extremely steep. If you find yourself "clawing" down the face of waves for steep, late takeoffs like a shortboarder, you probably do not have enough speed. That lack of speed is usually the result of inadequate flotation (exaggerated rocker compounds the problem).

Remember, however, that a board that is too big will feel "corky" and will reduce your wave-riding performance.

Certain board designs which combine template, rocker, rail design, fin number and placement, and sometimes materials can be characterized as a "style" or "model" of board. These boards are designed to excel in certain wave conditions and/or to suit a particular style of surfing.

Noserider
This is by far the most popular type of longboard. Every gimmick imaginable has been tried to make it easier to stand on the tip and control the surfboard from there for the longest time possible. All of the noseriders at 5th Street Surf Shop are proven designs characterized by wide noses with medium to low rail lines and soft concaves under the nose. These boards have considerable rocker and some nose kick, and come in both single and tri-fin configurations. These boards turn easily and are very fun to ride in a broad range of conditions. They are less appropriate for bigger, faster waves, and the wide nose design can make it somewhat difficult to "drop in" when strong offshore winds are blowing. If you own only one board, this is probably the type you will enjoy the most.

Classic
These should NOT be confused with "old fashioned" or "replica" boards, which are often shaped more like displacement hull boats than modern, planing surfboards. The Classic Model surfboards at 5th Street share several common characteristics. They are more "pulled" in template -- that is, the lines are more "drawn out" (streamlined), particularly in the noses which are more pointed, and the boards have a very slightly convex bottom. Nose and tail have a smooth rocker for speed, and the rail line is quite low for the last two thirds of the board for clean release and high-speed turning ability. These boards are available in both single and tri-fin designs. These are beautiful boards which are usually set off with three-stringer layouts or classic color designs. This is the board to ride on big or hollow days "when down the line" performance is paramount. They are also suited to anyone who prefers to surf any time with a smoother, drawn-out style.

High-Performance
These boards, often signature models of professional team riders, are designed for maximum performance and minimum weight. They are usually ridden somewhat smaller than other models, and are designed for the experienced rider. They are as a rule somewhat narrower, have increased rocker, particularly in the tail for maneuverability, and generally incorporate noserider noses and low, hard rail lines. They are generally built of very light foam, glassed with lighter-than-standard glass, and sealed with a sprayed or wiped finish to further reduce weight. Three-fin configurations are the norm. Though somewhat less durable than standard boards, they are unmatched for quick, radical maneuvers.

Egg
The "Egg" or "Fun Board" looks like a longboard shrunk to eight feet or less. It is fairly wide, has good flotation for its length, considerable rocker and is designed to perform in medium to small waves. It is much easier to paddle than a shortboard and reacts quicker than a longboard. Fun is the word!

Hybrid
The hybrid has a shortboard template lengthened to seven to eight feet. It will slash like a shortboard but is much easier to paddle. Hybrids work well over a wide range of conditions, and, with their moderate rocker, low, hard rail line and nose kick, will handle large fast waves.

Collectibles
Vintage surfboards, especially those that are historically significant and rare, are much sought after and recognized as a solid investment. People are out searching for everything from a Blake Paddleboard to a Velzy Jacobs Balsa to a Weber Performer to a Lopez Lightning Bolt. Don't throw that old surfboard on the bonfire!

Replicas
This is a copy of a surfboard produced at some time in the past. The ideal replica would be made by the original builder, working to the original design and using the same materials as the original, and the board itself would have historical significance. The materials, which are generally still available, and the design, which can be accurately copied, are usually not problems. The original builders, however, have often gone to the big lineup in the sky. The value of replicas as investments is questionable, but they are beautiful to hang in the den and reflect the flickering firelight on a cold winter's evening!

If you have any questions about a particular surfboard, or about selecting the correct design or size of surfboard, don't hesitate to call or e-mail the guys at 5th Street Surf Shop. We have a lot of years of surfing experience to draw on and, more importantly, are in the water pretty much every day. (Hey, somebody has to do it!) We want to share the surfing experience by making sure you get a board that will really get you stoked!