You may be purchasing your very first surfboard and asking yourself: longboard or shortboard? Or maybe you're an experienced surfer considering adding a new board to your collection. No matter where you are in your surfing journey, if you are unsure what board(s) will be the most beneficial for your specific surf desires, keep reading and you will learn everything there is to know about the similarities and differences of long and short boards. Together we will find the best board for you...
Let me start by making it clear that there is absolutely nothing wrong with longboarding or with shortboarding. The two board options just simply provide two different approaches to the sport. Similar to any other sport, there are different equipment options that are better suited for different aspects. Several factors (comfort level, preference, skill, type of wave, etc.) help a surfer's decision when deciding what board is best.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LONGBOARD AND A SHORTBOARD?
The most obvious difference between a longboard and a shortboard is the length. Typically, a shortboard is any board shorter than 7 feet. The most common modern shortboards range from approximately 5'6" to 6'6" long. On the other hand, any board over 8 feet is generally considered a longboard. However, longboarders today will most commonly use a board between 9 to 10 feet. Additionally, a board length that falls in between a shortboard and a longboard range is referred to as a midlength board. Surfers have nicknamed mid-length boards funboards because they offer a combination of characteristics of each board type. As the name implies, these boards are super fun. However, they do not allow much room for improvement. Funboards are often too long to practice your shortboarding maneuvers and too short to practice longboarding tricks. They work best for a fun, relaxing session.
Another major difference is what type and size of waves can be ridden on each board. Longboards are excellent for smaller waves that break more gently. This is because of their extra volume and length. In contrast, it can be extremely difficult to catch a small wave on a shortboard due to the lack of width in the nose of the board. With that said, shortboards are better for when the surf becomes bigger and more powerful. Larger and more powerful waves break steeper than smaller waves. In these conditions, it can become extremely difficult for a longboard to stay on the face of a wave. Additionally, because it has less buoyancy, a shortboard allows a surfer to dive underneath waves during their paddle out. The proper term for this is "duck diving." Duck diving becomes crucial when the waves are large which is another reason that shortboards are recommended for larger surf.
Moreover, riding a longboard requires a slightly different technique than riding a shortboard. While on a longboard, you need to paddle into a wave until you feel the wave pushing on your board. Once you reach this point, you will then want to pop up. Once you are up and balanced you are officially surfing! As you practice and progress you can then learn how to walk on the board and perform longboard tricks. The most common tricks are the nose ride and the cross step; these can not typically be performed on a shortboard. The basics of shortboarding are very similar to those of longboarding, but there are obviously some differences. While riding a shortboard, it is extremely important to instantly perfect your feet placement. When compared to a longboard, there is less time and space for error during the pop-up process. Once you have successfully caught the wave, the ultimate goal is to stay in the pocket of the wave. This is the section of the wall just ahead of the lip. In simple terms, the pocket is where the wave breaks. Advanced shortboard surfers will perform tricks while staying in the pocket of the wave. Some popular tricks include a cutback, 360, bottom turn, and an air. To perform such tricks, it is important to place your back foot close to the tail of the board; some boards will have traction pads for this reason. Similar to the nose ride and cross step, many shortboard tricks are can not be performed on a longboard.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BOTH BOARD TYPES?
It is extremely important to know that longboards and shortboards each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Below you will find an organized chart of both the advantages and disadvantages of both board types. I discussed most of this information above, but it is always helpful to have a more visual reading option. Good news is always better than bad news so let's start with the advantages.
Advantages:
Longboard | Shortboard |
More stable | More maneuverable |
Easier to catch waves | Easier to duck dive |
More laidback & relaxing | Compact (easier to store & carry) |
Better for smaller, gentle, & sloping waves | Better on powerful, steep, & hallow waves |
Can catch waves earlier | More responsiveness |
More space to perform tricks such as a cross step and nose-riding | Wider variety of fin set ups |
Easier to paddle | Can ride faster waves |
Disadvantages:
Longboard | Shortboard |
Nearly impossible to duck dive | Harder to paddle |
Heavier & awkward to carry | More difficult to learn on |
Less options for fin setups | Less stable |
Not great for bigger surf | Difficult to catch a wave of smaller size |
Not suited for quick turns & maneuvers with a small radius | Not suited for nose-riding and other longboard tricks |
Harder to store & transport | Physically more difficult to pop-up |
Difficult to control such a large board in the water | More difficult to balance |
Remember that there is no wrong choice and it simply depends on your needs and preference. With your new knowledge, you will be able to make the best decision for you....and nobody ever said you can't own several boards. Go get your board(s)setups and get in the water!
Comentários