Irish Surf News

Guide to Surfboard Tails

A critical aspect to surfboard design is the dynamic of the tail. In essence, the more surface area and volume in the tail, the more launch the surfer will experience. Think of it in terms of buoyancy. If there’s a lot of foam down at the tail of the board, it will stay afloat more. The surfboard will then surf in a loose, responsive fashion, as it only makes small incisions into the water on the turns, and quickly releases as it return to equilibrium. Contrast that with a tail that is thin and narrow, for instance a swallow or pin tail. Now there is less board under the surfer’s back foot, so the tail sinks deeper into the water as pressure is applied to it on the turns. This acts like a rudder on a sailboat, steering the board, and holding it firmly in position. To the surfer up above, this equates to a more stable riding experience as the board interacts with the water and draws out the manoeuvre. The Surfing Handbook documents the various types of tail shapes to choose from well. Worth thinking about the next time you’re looking at a new surfboard…