Types of Surfboards
The different types of surfboards:
Short board
The standard surfboard (5ft to 7ft), with a pointed nose, the shortboard allows for maximum maneuverability.
Regularly used by professionals in surfing contests.
Retro / Egg
Modern hybrid board inspired by the first (old school) shortboard creations. The boards are normally thicker,
flatter and wider than a shortboard, typically with a rounded nose and tail. This gives extra floatation,
awesome fun for smaller waves.
Fish
Created for small wave fun although generally not as fat (wide, thick) as the Retro / Egg
surfboards. Fish surfboards still maintain the maneuverability. in the small waves.
Note, any type of board can have a fish tail, but isn't referred to as a Fish unless it has
the other features of a Fish.
Gun
Big wave (paddle in) board (7ft to 12ft). Thin, long, needle-like template with single or thruster fin set up.
Basically a longer version of the shortboard, which makes it easier for a surfer to
gain momentum required to paddle into the big waves.
Malibu / Longboard
Aka (Mal), is the long board with a rounded nose. Back in the days, Mals were the only option for surfers
before the surfboard revolution. Despite the revolution, Mals are as popular as ever. Riding a mal
is a different style of surfing which is responsible for famous surfing terms such as "Hang Ten" and
"walking the plank".
Tow Board
For the most extreme waves which are too large to paddle into. Tow surfing is when the surfer is towed into
the wave typically behind a jet ski. Unlike the Guns which are designed as longer boards to allow the surfers
to paddle into the big waves, Tow boards can be as short as shortboards, with footstaps to keep the surfer
attached to the board.