About Board Design
Below you will find some useful information about surfboard design.
Outline or Planshape
This references the outline curve of the board. In general a curvier outline will turn better than a straighter outline. A straight outline can help to produce speed. Shapers can adjust areas of the outline to work with the other components of the board.
Outline Examples
Elliptical Outline
Very smooth, curved outline.
Bump
Found in the tail section, a slight bump in the tail can produce a swifter change of direction in more critical parts of the wave.
Wing/Stings
A shift in the template creates a pivoting point. Usually helps to loosen wider boards.
Rocker
Makes up the bottom curve of the board. A basic understanding of rocker is that more rocker curve means that the board will turn on a tight arc. Less rocker makes for more speed down the line but much less arc in a turn. Shapers/designers use different rockers along with hulls to change the performance characteristics of a board.
Rocker Example
Center Rocker
The curve of the board running stringer (bottom of the board).
Rail Rocker
The curve of the board running along the rails.
Concaves
Can create a difference between both rail rocker and center rocker. Shapers use these in conjunction to provide different lift/control characteristics.
Rails
Tapered Rails
Have the least volume and tend to provide quick rail to rail transition. Typically used on boards designed for larger surf. Without speed they tend to dig or catch causing board bog.
Medium Rails
A blend of the positive characteristics of the Tapered and the Full rail. Good mobility and holds speed through turns. This is the most common rail used today.
Full Rail
Due to its high volume makes for a flat deck. Hard to bury through turn. Provides a stable feel. Good for larger surfers. A full rail with lots of rocker is a dangerous combo.
Rail Example Cross-Sections
Concaves and Convex
Concaves are sculpted into the bottom of surfboards to create different control effects. They can help increase speed and sensitivity. The most common are the single concave, and the single to double.
Single Concave
When sculpted properly can help create lift, added speed, tighter turning radius. Good for lighter surfers.
Single Concave Example
Single to double
For some there is such a thing as too much speed. This is where the single to double comes into play. The double towards the fin area provides another pivoting point right along the stringer. This makes for a little added control. Good for larger surfers. Single to double allows you to play with ratio of the amount of single or double in the board. For tighter turning, more single. Need more projection out of turns? Add more double to the mix. There are other variables that need to be considered. This is just a generalization.
Single to Double Concave Example
Convex or Belly
A common component on longboards or wider shortboards and fish. It allows wider boards to tip or roll into turns. A common longboard hull formula (concave to convex to panel vee).
Convex Example
Tail Shape
Squash
Common shortboard tail. A good balance of pivot and smooth transition.
Rounded Pin
Very smooth rail to rail. Adds hold in larger waves.
Swallow Tail
Dual pins spread over a wider area. Can either increase or decrease surface creating lift and control.
Pin Tail
Used in large surf. Less area provides better hold/control in powerful surf.
Tail Examples
Fins
A foil amongst a foil. Fins come in many different sizes and styles. They are equally important as the board. The placement, size and style can dramatically affect a board’s performance.
Size
Larger Fins
More drawn out turns, stiffer.
Smaller Fins
Looser, may tend to slide out.
Rake
Refers to how much a fin is swept back.
More Rake
Longer drawn out turns.
Shorter Rake
Sharper or more pivot-like turns.