FR
EN
FR3 steps to choosing the right surfboard
How to fully understand the technical elements and choose your board, among all the models.
Follow these 3 steps to know the essential parameters in choosing a board.
Analyze your physical condition
The first thing to look at is you. To set your sights on the right board, you will first need to analyze your template, your fitness, your a level, your handy and wave style that you will surf.
Board advisor: Fill out your profile and find your ideal board!
The board advisor is your virtual advisor. It offers you different models according to your profile defined below.
It is possible that the algorithm does not find a board for you (or that the proposals do not suit you): after all, it remains an algorithm! In this case, contact us via the contact page or via livechat if we are online, we will inevitably find a solution for you!
You also have the option of obtaining your ideal volume. With this volume, you will be able to carry out a first search manually by finding several corresponding models, in our catalog!
- The KORKO construction is what you need! Halfway between the foam board and the "resin" board, it will allow you to progress at your own pace!
- You will find your happiness among the boards resulting from the evolutionary category. It is often thought that longboards are boards that may be suitable for beginners (especially because of their large size), but think again! A longboard can quickly be bulky for a beginner and requires a certain technicality to be able to maneuver it.
The parameters of your board
Volume
You will understand, the volume is the variable of buoyancy adjustment. The larger your board, the more buoyancy you will gain.
This makes it possible in particular to make your oar more efficient (and therefore to take more waves!), To maintain more speed in the soft sections of the waves. On the other hand, this can complicate the passage of the helm and limit maneuverability.
As you have just seen with the calculator, the ideal volume is obtained mainly from your weight, of your fitness and your level.
Odds
The dimensions represent the dimensions of the board in length, width, and thickness. They are usually inscribed on the back of the board and are cast in feet for the length and inches for width and thickness. These dimensions are only measured at the longest, widest and thickest point of the board.
the length
- The majority of boards are between 5 and 10 feet.
- The longer the board, the more it contributes to stability and paddling
- The shorter the board, the more maneuverability it provides. Indeed, a short board offers less resistance in contact with water.
the width
- The wider the board, the more flotation and stability it offers.
- The narrower the board, the easier it is to maneuver by switching from one rail (= edge of the board) to another
- Wide boards will therefore be ideal for beginner surfers o Narrow boards are more intended for experienced surfers
Thickness
- The thicker the board, the more buoyancy it offers
- Advantage: provides good speed on soft waves and better paddling (and therefore more waves)
- Disadvantage: limits the maneuverability of the board for surfing on the rails (when the edges of the board sink into the water to make a turn)
- Thick boards are therefore more suitable for beginners and beginners-intermediates
- Thin boards are more for experienced-advanced surfers
The tail
This is the rear part of the board. The tail of the board has an important influence on the overall behavior of the board. The width and forms are the two main factors to consider.
- The wider the tail → more buoyancy and stability.
- Large tails are more for soft / small to medium waves
- The finer / narrower the tail → more maneuverability and responsiveness
- Narrow tails are more for hollow waves
- The wider the tail → more buoyancy and stability.
- Large tails are more for soft / small to medium waves
- The finer / narrower the tail → more maneuverability and responsiveness
- Narrow tails are more for hollow waves
About the forms tail (we speak of "square", of "swallow", of 'round ", etc ...), it will have an influence on the hook and maneuverability of the board.
- The rounder the tail → allows you to lengthen your curves
- The more square the tail is → allows you to tighten your curves
- The sharper the tail → allows you to increase your hold / control
In summary...
Other concepts should be taken into account to better understand the functioning of a surfboard, such as the rocker, the shape of the rails etc… but the idea here is not to drown you in the multitude of information. With this tutorial, we want to give you the essentials to have the clearest possible vision when choosing your board. Of course, we are happy to be at your disposal if you need any advice!
| Level | Board type | Length | Wave size | Wave type | Associated practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Mid lengths | 7 "and more (depending on template) | Height from knees to hip height | Mou Steep | We learn ! |
| Beginner / Intermediate | Scalable and hybrid | 6'6 and more (depending on size) | Height from knees to shoulder height | Mou Steep | Cruising |
| Intermediate and + | Any type of board | 5 "to 10" | Knee height and more (depending on ease in the water) | Mou Steep Hollow | longboarding Cruise Carving Vertical |
And what about construction?
Each surfer will also have his preferences as to the characteristics of each construction. Here is a comparative table of the attributes of each construction that we offer as well as the more conventional constructions (1) and (2) that are found in the vast majority on the surfboard market:
| Table header 0 | Recycled EPS | GREENONE | KORKO | GREENFLEX | R-CARBON | Board foam (1) | Board PU resin (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | ●●● | ●●● | ●● | ●••• | ●••• | ● | ●●● |
| Shock tolerance | ●● | ●● | ●••• | ●●● | ●●● | ●••• | ● |
| Safety | ● | ● | ●●● | ● | ● | ●••• | ● |
| Resistance to denting | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●●● | ●●● | ●••• | ● |
| Hydrophobic core | ● | ● | ●••• | ● | ●••• | ● | ●● |
| Grip without wax | ● | ● | ●••• | ● | ● | ●● | ● |
| Eco conception | ●● | ●●● | ●••• | ●●● | ●••• | ● | ● |
En conclusion
So you get it: there is no such thing as a perfect board! The right board will evolve according to the waves you surf, your level, size, preferences… Once these data have been taken into account, your board will be defined by its volume, its length, its width, its tail ... It's up to you!
Choose your board
Now you are ready to find the board that suits you best. Follow the link to discover all our models classified according to different categories. Choose one, and personalize it as you wish.
