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Short boards:
Short boards are generally defined as high performance between 5'6" and 7'0", with widths between 17" and 19" and a thickness of 2"-2 3/4". Nose widths vary from 10" and tail widths of between 12 1/2"-14 1/2". The basic dimensions are increased or decreased depending upon the height and weight of the rider.
Recent trends are for bottom rocker and a less pronounced flip in the nose. Most short boards are using the basic thruster (3 fin) design. The most prominent bottom configuration currently is concaves...either a full length single concave, which works great in good walled up surf, or a single concave that feeds into soft double concaves. This bottom design adds a bit lift to the tail, increasing looseness and speed. When you put it all together and hold up the board...it just feels right!
Fishes:
The current fish design is a re-invention of a design that came into prominence in the late 70's. Steve Lis of San Diego designed the original fish. The design features a full nose, full parallel rails ending in a wide swallowtail. The fins were set near the rails. The design was ridden shorter 4'10"-5'6", and featured a loose skate feel, which worked well in small sloppy surf.
Today's fish is generally ridden in lengths of 5'8"-6'6". The widths range from 19 1/2"-20 3/4". The noses fall between 11"-13" and the tails range from 14"-15". Some designs have wings and most bottoms have generally flatter rocker for increased speed.
Most fishes are ridden using the 3 fin configurations, although many designs have slightly larger side fins with a small center fin.
The design works best in average surf conditions, although an experienced surfer can ride it in nearly any condition. The shape might be the best choice if you live on the East Coast and have only one board.
Long boards:
Next to short boards, long boards are among the most numerous designs seen around. The modern long board and its variations is a refined, lighter, and more maneuverable shape than its early predecessors.
Lengths vary from 8'0"-10'6", with widths ranging from 21"-24", thickness from 2 5/8"- 3 1/2", noses from 15 1/2-18 1/2" and tails from 13"-15".
Tail shapes run the gamut from the common rounded square to pins to even swallow and diamonds.
Long boards come in many variations too...Mini Long board, Long board Gun, High Performance Long board Classic, and even Nose Riders.
Long boards are a great answer for someone looking for something different. The various varieties work excellently in most types of surf, from ankle snappers to well overhead.
Fun boards:
Fun boards or Eggs fit pretty neatly between the short board and long board designs. Lengths range from about 6'10"-8'4" with widths between 19 3/4-21". The noses are fuller to aid in paddling and wave catching and range from 13"-16". Thickness range from 2 1/2"-3 1/4".
Fun boards are perfect for the older surfer that are over the short board but don't like the feel of a long board. They also are perfect for the beginner. You can get the feel of the maneuverability of the short board, but the board has the added benefit of the width and length to help catch more waves.
Fun boards also come in variations called Fun Guns or Speed Eggs. They are slightly thinner, narrower, more foiled versions, which when ridden by experienced surfer can handle just about any surf condition.
Hybrids:
The hybrid or big wave tri is a design that has gained increased interest in recent years mainly due to the fact of long time surfers are getting older.
The design is basically the current short board designed up to fit older, larger riders that are not ready for fun board or long board.
Lengths generally range from 6'8"-7'4". The widths run from 19 1/2"-20 3/4" with a thickness of 2 1/2"-3". The noses and tails are scaled wider than their smaller counterparts to help improve paddling and wave catching the bottom configurations are similar to those in the shorter versions.
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