As a sport, surfing is one of the most fun you’ll ever get into. It is a very physically demanding sport but it also offers a lot of fun and entertainment for the avid surfer. If you’re going to get seriously into surfing, renting a surfboard is not the way to go about it. You really should get your own surfboard so you’ll be more attuned to it and, thus, perform better. Choosing a good surfboard is not as difficult as it looks, especially if you follow these handy tips.
One of the most important things you should do when choosing a surfboard is to contact a reliable surfboard shaper. He will have the expertise in crafting a surfboard that is custom-made to your specific body type and surfing habits. A surfboard shaper will measure your height and weight and will also consider other factors like your experience in surfing, the kind of waves you love to ride and even if you’re left- or right-handed. It is so much better to have a custom-made surfboard made instead of buying commercially available surfboards in stores. You’ll definitely know the difference when you ride your custom-made surfboard.
When choosing a surfboard, size really does make a difference. There are basically two types of surfboards. Longboards are more stable and also easier to control. It is also a slower board. A shortboard, on the other hand, is a much faster board and can be maneuvered more easily and it is the board of choice of surfers who want to make trick moves while surfing. But preference also plays a big role when choosing a longboard or a shortboard. Many experienced surfers love longboards and there are many beginners who prefer using shortboards. Ask yourself what kind of surfing you prefer and choose the kind of board that will complement how you surf.
Tails are an important part of a surfboard. You should consider what kind of tail you want for your surfboard. A wide tail will have a bigger turn-off area, and this will translate to more maneuverability when faced with small waves but they are a poor choice when faced with big waves as you can lose control of the surfboard. The tail types you can choose from are round and pin, square and squash and swallow type tails.
Finally, you should consider the fins of the surfboard. You can opt to choose a fixed fin or a removable fin. While a fixed fin is cheaper, you can easily break or damage it during transport. A removable fin is more expensive but transporting it is very easy.
The very last thing you should choose is the design of your surfboard. You can go as conservative or as crazy as you want with the design. This is what’s going to make your surfboard one-of-a-kind.
Photo from hubpages.com
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