What Size of Surfboard Should I Get?
By Degree 33 Surfboards
There is no simple answer to that this most common
question. The answer lies in following questions. What’s your skill level, height,
weight, goal, and type of wave you are riding?
Volume Liters
Let’s start with volume. The volume of your body weight
and the volume of the board that’s best for your weight, and skill level.
Having enough volume for your body weight, skill level, type of wave, and the
type of surfing is very critical so you can at least have fun if not perform at
your highest level.
Calculating Body Weight Volume in Liters
Take your body weight in kilo’s times 35% or 0.35. This
is based on the optimum volume for a Pro-Surfer up to head high waves in above
average surf conditions. Calculate this number in Kilo’s because I will now
provide you with calculating a surfboards volume in Liters.
Calculating Surfboard Volume in Liters
This surfboard volume formula works best for short-boards.
Approximate Volume = ½ Length x Width x Thickness + ( 10x
every inch over 6' ) all measures in decimal inches.
The result is a big number in cubic inches.
Now divide by 61 to get liters.
Remember, the 35% of your body weight volume is for
Pro-Surfers. For beginners to intermediate surfers add 2.5 to 5.0 liters or
more for your body volume then compare it to the surfboard you’re riding now or
a one your thinking of buying.
As Pro-Surfer Rob Machado says “foam is your friend”. If
you’re having trouble catching and riding waves or the waves you’re riding have
weak power, try getting a board with more foam. More foam in general equals
more floatation and planning ability.
Beginner Surfers
If you’re a beginner, I always recommend going with a
longboard. Now, I know longboards
may not be cool and sexy but I need you to put your ego aside for a moment. Let
me ask you a question. What’s “cooler”: sitting, falling, and barely paddling a
“cool” shortboard OR surfing, turning, and easily paddling a longboard?
I hope you answered surfing over falling. If you didn’t
say surfing take up a different sport.
Now, what size of longboard should you get? We’ll look at
this from a height stand point, and we’ll assume that you’re of an average
weight. Rule of thumb is to get a longboard 3ft longer than your height. So for
me, I’m 6′ 180lbs and I ride a 9’0″. There can always be exceptions to this if
you’re on the heavier side or lighter side.
Intermediate Surfers
You guys are little more tricky because your board
selection can be anything from a longboard to a funboard to a fish or
shortboard. And they all have different rules. So let’s see if I can make this
simpler.
Longboard -
Same rules above, 3ft taller than yourself.
Funboard -
These boards can be anywhere from 6’6″ to 8’6″ or so and is more dependent on
your weight and what you are trying to accomplish. A good place to start is
going to be 12″-24″ taller than yourself but will vary by the shape and style
of surfboard.
Fish -
Proper fish size is typically 2’- 4″ shorter than your shortboard.
Shortboard -
I usually recommend going 2-6″ taller than yourself. But this depends on the
size of waves you’ll be surfing it in.
Advanced Surfers
You guys don’t need my help. You know exactly what you
want and probably wouldn’t take my opinion anyways. Well hopefully that helps a little. If this wasn’t
specific enough for you send
us an email or leave us a comment below and we’ll give you a personal
recommendation. If you’re not ready to contact us (afraid we’re going to try
and sell you something huh? ) you can always sign up for our surfboard guide
that will give you some more detailed information.
