Getting the right surfboard will be an important decision to make if you’re to enjoy the experience. There are a ton of options in the market and it can get overwhelming if you’re going through the process for the first time. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting or have been surfing for a while, it is imperative to understand the fundamentals behind buying a surfboard. You get to be more appreciative of the engineering that goes behind the construction of a good surfboard. Getting the right surfboard will come down to your skills, type of waves, surf condition, and overall fitness levels. Here are some of the factors to have in mind if you’re looking to buy a surfboard.Are you worried about Choosing The Right Surfboard for you? Take a look at this list of six important things to consider.
6 Tips to Choosing The Right Surfboard
Calculating the Ideal Volume Size
This is something that should be unique to an individual rider. It goes without saying that volume is going to be one of the most important considerations when choosing a surfboard. Even if you’re buying from an online surf shop, you’ll still want to make sure that it is the right volume.
Taking a look at your favorite surfers will show that most of the boards are almost similar in volume. If you’re buying online, make sure that the volume of the surfboard is clearly displayed on the specs sheet before making the purchasing decision. When you choose a low volume surfboard, it means you’d want something that is below what is suggested for your ideal weight. The upside is that you get a more sensitive experience if you’re an amateur.
Height
The right height of the surfboard will be determined by surf conditions, weight, and fitness levels. Experts recommend using volume calculations if you’re to get the right height for the surfboard you intend to buy. Most websites or physical shops will have a table that can be used as an indicator in determining the ideal height.
Waves To Be Caught
There are no two waves that are the same. That is why it is not possible to use the same boards to catch waves that are totally different in dynamics. One of the reasons why surfing is an interesting activity is because there is always something new to learn and it has a lot to do with waves. Before you go out surfing, find out how the local conditions are. The good news is that there is a wide variety of surfboards to choose from which makes this part of the process a lot easier.
Matching Your Abilities With Right Surfing Board
You don’t want to exclusively rely on your own advice when shopping for a surfing board. You need to be honest about your abilities and look for a fitting surfboard. There is no fun buying a surfboard that is for advanced users only to end up having difficulties catching waves. As much as the performance of the surfboard will depend on a couple of variables, one of the most important ones will be your handling ability. The advanced surfboards offer a loose feel and you’re likely to experience challenges handling them.
FIN Configuration
This is something that often gets overlooked yet it is just as important. It mostly has to do with personal preferences but it can greatly improve the overall experience. As a rider, you get to identify your personal surfing style the more you surf. Even when you’re starting out, you’ll not require a rocket science degree to go through the different setups in order to determine the ones that suit your needs. The most popular one is the Thruster setup which can be used by beginners and pros alike.
Brand
You can make your research a lot easier by narrowing it down to specific brands. There are brands that have established a reputation for consistently providing quality products. A larger brand has the capacity to hire engineers to help with the design and manufacturing of their products. They can test different environments based on computer simulations to determine the best materials to be used for the work.
Buying online presents the opportunity to easily do a price comparison. Make sure that you’re also buying from a reputable store as the online space is full of unscrupulous businesses that are only concerned about making a quick buck. Make sure that the company has a fair return policy as there is a chance you might not get what you need at the first attempt. Buying a surfboard doesn’t have to be complicated provided you have the right information.
