Long Boards Can Be A Better Choice for Surfers
Long Boards Can Be a Better Choice for Surfers depending on many factors. To get from beginner to a short board requires frequent visits to the water, physical fitness, and more stamina. A long board is an easier board for everyone else.
When we talk about short board vs long board we are talking about length and volume. The volume of a board is the length x width, x thickness. A surfer can move to a shorter board and still maintain bigger width and thickness.
Beginners Start with High Volume Boards
A beginners soft top board is a high volume board and a material that is less expensive and won’t hurt a surfer if it hits them. It also floats high in the water to make learning easier. The easy components are easier paddling, catching waves, and riding.
Less stamina and strength are needed to paddle high volume boards. Short boards are usually 8′ or 9′ and long boards start at 9′. The most tiring aspect of surfing is paddling. Stronger paddling is needed for getting out to the break and catching waves on a short board. The short board sinks in the water requiring more strength to move it.
The Waves You Like Have an Impact on Board Selection
The next aspect is catching waves. The high volume board is moved sooner by a board. On reef beaches, a small wave forming is often enough to move the long board whereas the short boarder has to wait for the wave to make a big arc. The short board needs to be running down the face whereas the long board can be riding without an arc in the wave.
The higher volume boards are more stable and forgiving on the pop up. The stance should always be perfect but the higher volume boards allow much more tolerance to imperfect stances. The high volume boards are easier to pop up on once again because the volume is more forgiving and better support.
How Athletic Do You Want to Be
The type of ride you seek is what really differs. The long board is for driving down the pocket. The short board is for maneuvers and tricks. The short boarder weights the rails to dig them into the wave to carve. They can make sharp carves and perform lots of tricks. The long board is about walking back and forth on the board to swing the nose around for a direction change.
The most important aspect for surfers is to have fun and catch as many waves as possible in a session. The beach you want to surf and the type of wave you ride can be an influence. Some beaches are better long board waves because the waves are not too steep. On a sandbar beach like Oceanside, the waves are steep and close out so the short board is better.
Try surfing before you buy a board. Learn how well you perform and what style you are likely to prefer. Consider your conditioning, frequency of visits, and courage.
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