Surfboard Buyers Guide
This section is designed to give you a brief introduction to surf boards, the elements of their shape and design, so that you can select the right board for you. This is a good place to start if your new to surfing or are looking to take your surfing to more progressive level.
Introduction to our range of surfboards
High Performance Shortboards
Our high performance shortboards range from 5' 4" to 6' 8". They all incorporate
similarities in areas such as concaves, rail shapes, foiling's, foam distribution
and fin set-ups. This allows the board to give you outstanding performance in
critical waves.
View the Performance board range
Quad Fin Surfboards
The Quad Fin Surfboard, or Quattro, is a much faster board with all the turns having an added boost.
You have more security taking a high line, so pulling out of a closeout is easier, as is running high and getting speed or sitting high and
deep in the tube. Added 'grip' from the four fins means you can slam a bottom turn without fear of spinning
out (no more 'nursing' the turn). Much more control in floaters, Drive off the top instead of a stall,
all make these boards an ideal choice for the performance orientated surfer. The Quattro is the fin setup for the back-foot surfer as you have
one whole extra fin on the back. Front foot surfers need smaller back or all smaller sized fins. You will be slamming or putting all your weight into everything. Not because you need to, but because you
can.
View the Quad Fin range
Hybrid
Our hybrid surfboards range from 5' 4" to 7' 4". Theses incorporate
fuller plan shapes and more volume distribution, meaning the boards are proportionally
wider and thicker in certain areas compared to the high performance boards.
However they still incorporate aspects of the high performance boards such as
concaves and rail shapes, allowing the board to be more forgiving in smaller
less powerful conditions.
View the Hybrid board range
Retros
Our retro surfboards range from 5' 4" to 8' 0". They all incorporate
the original bottom curves of yester year but with the modern twist of today's
concaves, rail shapes and foilings, which make these board's react in a more
fluid style of surfing. The models that we create are the late 60's early 70's
single fin, 70's fish and 70's - 80's twin fin
View the Retro board range
Big Boy
Our big boy surfboards range from 6' 4" to 7' 4". Similar characteristics
of the high performance boards, however they are suitable for someone who wants
to progress from mals, mini mals and fun board shapes to a beginner short board
level. Also they are the perfect performance board for a person of a larger
build who has advanced ability.
View the Big Boy board range
Eggs
Our egg surfboards range from 6' 4" to 7' 4", they are a hybrid model and incorporate
the same characteristics as the hybrids however they have a fuller/wider nose
allowing stability and more paddle ability.
View the Egg board range
Mid Range
Our mid range boards range from 6' 4" to 7' 0" these are
the boards you need when the waves get a little more serious. They incorporate
a more narrow plan shape generally with pulled in tails and subtle changes in
bottom contours. This allows the board to be more controlled in the more powerful
and steeper waves, but still forgiving throughout turning.
View the Mid range
Guns
Our gun shapes range from 7' 0" to 9' 6" these boards are
designed for seriously heavy waves, double overhead plus.
View the big wave board range
Performance Longboards
For the progressive performance type of surfer who's not particularly interested in styling to the nose
and stepping back into a sweeping drop knee turn. These are for powerful manouvers ans work in pretty much
any size wave. They are also available in a four fin for extra drive and speed.
View the longboard range
Traditional Longboards
Incorporating traditional style plan shapes, rockers and thicknesses. This is your cruise ship if you have
time on your hands. All come with Volan tint glass jobs polished to a high quality finish.
View the longboard range
Groms
Our grom boards range from 5' 0" to 6' 0"; these boards are
designed for the grom who is at a higher advanced level of surfing. They have
the same characteristics as the high performance boards but they are on a smaller
scale for the smaller surfer.
View the Groms board range
Tail Shapes
We use a selection of tail shapes throughout our range of boards, they are:
The Rounded Square Tail
The rounded square tail allows the board to snap and release easily throughout
turns whilst maintaining control.
The Swallow Tail
This tail also allows the board to snap and release similar to the square tail,
however it is more controllable than the square tail in the steeper areas of
the wave making the board feel a little stiffer and needing a little more pressure
with your rear leg to manoeuvre the board.
The Rounded Pintail
The pintail allows the board to be controllable throughout the very steep areas
of the wave and makes the board feel stiffer, needing more pressure with your
rear leg to manoeuvre the board to make it snap and release. It also allows
the board to be fluid through carving turns.
Tail shape can also differ depending on board widths. For example a wider
surface tail can tend to feel very lose an slide alot easier, and a more narrow
tail shape can make the board more controllable with less slide giving a stiffer
feel. On our hybrid boards which tend to be proportionally wider we compromise
the wider tail shape by having a winged swallow which pulls the tail in slightly
allowing the board to be more controllable throughout turns.
The Bat Tail and Half Moon
These tail shapes have similar carachteristics as the swallow tail with the
added visual effect and feel of stealth.
Fins
We offer a selection of fin set-ups for you, they are:
- FCS Fins
- LokBox Fins
- Glass on Fins
The following information is courtesy of FCS Fin Systems
Depth: The distance the fin penetrates into the water. It affects the hold and the control the fin has in a turn. The shorter the depth, the more slide a board will have. The longer the depth, the more hold, especially with center fins.
Base: The length of the fin where it meets the board. It affects the amount of drive the board will have. The more base, the more area the fin has to push against the water and therefore the more drive. The less base the shorter the turning arc.
Surface Area: The projected 2D area of a template measured in square millimetres. A larger surfer needs a larger fin area to provide enough hold. Less area generally loosens the board. By experimenting with fin area, a surfer can find the fin area that is large enough to hold onto the wave but loose enough to suit their style of surfing.
Sweep or Rake: The angle measured between the verticle line from the mid point on the base and the line that connects the mid point of the base to the highest point on the fin. Put simply, how much the fin's outline shape is curved backwards. The more sweep the longer the turning arc. The less sweep, the more pivotal the board will be.
Tip Flex: The amount a fin flexes from the straight position. Fins with little flex are more responsive and will have more speed and direct drive. Fins with flex are more forgiving and easier to use.
