Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the best surfboards for 2019. With the progression of surfing gear, technology, and techniques, it's never been a better time to upgrade your quiver. Let's dive into the quality waves that these top surfboards can provide.
Before we start, it's crucial to understand that the 'best' surfboard greatly depends on your skill level, the types of waves you ride, and personal preference. This guide will cater to a broad range of surfers, from beginners to experienced ones, and help you find your perfect board.
Traditional Surfboard Shapes
Let's kick off with the classic shortboard, longboard, and fish surfboard shapes that have been leading the pack for decades.
The shortboard, as the name suggests, is a short, wide, and thick board, typically less than 7 feet in length. It's designed for performance surfing in decent waves. ΠΠΎst shortboards come with a three-finned setup, with some advances in performance shortboards that are finless or have a five-fin setup.
Performance Shortboards
Performance shortboards are designed for experienced surfers who want to push their limits. Boards like the Chilli Barn Bolt and JS Industries Monsta 8 offer high-performance features like low rocker, pulled-in tails, and beveled rails, enabling quick, snappy turns and precise wave handling.
Take, for instance, the Chilli Barn Bolt. It's a classic shortboard shape with a modern twist, featuring a wide point forward and double flyer concave, providing a consistent, smooth ride in even the smallest of waves.
High-Performance Shortboards
High-performance shortboards are tailored for advanced surfers who demand the best from their equipment. Boards like the Channel Islands Fun Effort and Firewire Hellfire have high-performance capabilities, featuring advanced construction techniques and materials like carbon fiber and high-density foam cores.
The Channel Islands Fun Effot is a great example. It's a modern shortboard with a classic outline, offering a balance of speed, flow, and maneuverability. The firelink stringerless EPS/EPX core makes it strong yet light, while theCarbon Wrapped Bamboo Stringer ensures that it's stiff and responsive.
Alternative Surfboard Shapes
Alternative surfboard shapes have been gaining popularity in recent years, catering to different wave conditions and surfing styles.
One such shape is the longboard. Longboards are typically 9 feet or longer, providing more volume and stability for beginners and a smooth, gliding ride for experienced surfers. Boards like the Biscuit Sally and The Mayor fromsoftboards excel in this category.
Longboards
The Biscuit Sally is a great allaround longboard, featuring a classic single fin setup and a generous Amount of volume for easy paddling and wave catching. On the other hand, The Mayor from softboards offers a durable, performance longboard option, designed for both beginners and experienced surfers looking to take their noseriding to the next level.
Fish Surfboards
Fish surfboards are short, wide boards with a swallowtail or squash tail and a single or twin fin setup. They work best in smaller, weaker waves and offer a looser, more radical riding experience. Boards like the Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto and Lost Puddle Jumper are exceptional in this category.
The Hypto Krypto from softboards, for instance, is a versatile fish surfboard that combines a modern egg outline with a traditional fish tail, offering a balanced, high-performance ride in a wide range of wave conditions.
While there are numerous other surfboard shapes like eggs, guns, funboards, and mals, these traditional and alternative shapes equipped with the latest technology cater to a broad range of surfers. Always consider your skill level, the waves you surf, and your personal style when choosing a surfboard. Surf on!