Surfing is much more than just grabbing a board and getting in the water. To improve your performance and fully enjoy this thrilling activity, you need to understand the different elements that make up a surfboard. One of these crucial elements is the tail, the back part of the board that directly influences how it handles in the waves. In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the right tail for your surfboard, especially if you’re just starting out in the world of surfing.
The Importance of the Tail
The tail is one of the most crucial parts of a surfboard. It affects the performance, stability, speed, and maneuverability of the board in waves. Choosing the right tail is essential to getting the most out of your surfing sessions. There are several types of tails, and the choice you make depends on your surfing style, wave conditions, and personal preferences.
Classic and Innovative Outboard Types
- Squash Tail: The squash tail is one of the most common and versatile tails. It is wide, rounded and provides stability, speed and control. It is an excellent choice for a wide range of wave conditions, from small, fast waves to larger, more powerful waves. One of the best options for beginners in surfing.
- Round Tail: This rounded tail offers a balance of speed, maneuverability and control. It is suitable for surfers who want smoothness and fluidity in their maneuvers. The round tail is a popular choice for small to medium waves, providing a secure feel and easy maneuverability.
- Swallow Tail: Recognized by its distinctive double “V” shaped design, which helps reduce water resistance. This tail is known for providing excellent grip in turns, allowing surfers to perform more aggressive and faster maneuvers. The swallow tail is especially effective in faster, hollow waves, where the surfer needs a responsive and agile board.
- Fish Tail: Inspired by retro surfboards, the fish tail is characterized by its distinct width and curvature. This unique design provides excellent flotation and speed in smaller, slower waves. The fish tail is a popular choice for surfers looking to maximize fun in less favorable surf conditions, providing a feeling of weightlessness and freedom in the water.
- Diamond Tail: With a diamond shape, the diamond tail provides good traction and maneuverability, making it a solid choice for medium-sized waves. This design offers maneuverability, allowing surfers to perform tighter and faster turns. It is an interesting choice for surfers looking to experience new sensations and explore different surfing styles.
- Square Tail: Similar to the Squash, but with squarer corners. This design offers excellent stability and control, making it a reliable choice for surfers who prefer a more classic, traditional surfing style. The square tail is especially effective on longer, smoother waves, where the surfer can enjoy long rides and fluid maneuvers.
- Thumb Tail: The thumb tail is a variation of the squash tail, characterized by a notch in the center of the tail, similar to the shape of a thumb. This design provides excellent grip and control in turns, allowing surfers to perform more precise and aggressive maneuvers. The thumb tail is a popular choice among advanced surfers looking for a highly responsive and agile board in high-performance waves.
- Half Moon Tail: Finally, the half moon tail is a variation of the squash tail, characterized by a semi-circular shape at the rear of the board. This design provides an excellent combination of speed and control, allowing surfers to perform smooth, fluid maneuvers in a variety of wave conditions. The half moon tail is a versatile and reliable choice for surfers of all skill levels.
Table Summary
| Tail Type | Surf Level | Wave Type | Main Feature |
| Round | All | Small and Medium | Control and Smoothness |
| Squash | All | All | Speed and Control |
| Swallow | Experienced | Quick and Hollow | Grip in curves |
| Fish | Experienced | Smaller and Slower | Float and Speed |
| Square | All | Long and Smooth | Stability and Control |
| Thumb | Experienced | High Performance | Grip and Agility |
| Diamond | Experienced | Varies | Stability and Maneuverability |
| Half Moon | All | Varies | Speed and Control |
Considerations for your surfing level:
If you’re just starting out surfing, squash, square or round tails are usually the safest choice. They provide a solid, predictable base for beginners to get to grips with balance and basic maneuvers.
For more experienced surfers, the choice of tail will depend on the surfing style and the conditions of the waves they want to surf. However, some popular options include the swallow, thumb and diamond.
In addition to choosing a tail, consider other factors such as the size and thickness of your board. A larger, thicker board offers more stability, which can be beneficial for beginners. However, guidance from an experienced shaper is invaluable, as they can customize the design of your board to your individual needs.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tail for your surfboard is a key part of customizing your board to your preferences and surfing style. Remember, the tail is just one of many factors that influence a board’s performance, so be open to experimenting and adjusting as you gain more experience surfing.
As you progress, you may need to adjust your tail according to the wave conditions and your own progress as a surfer. Take every opportunity to surf, try different boards and, most importantly, have fun in the waves.
