longboard-pro

[longboard-pro]

How to choose a longboard that suits you / Know the structure and characteristics of the board

"There are various types of surfboards, and I'm not sure what kind of longboard suits me." You can refer to the product (board) information posted on the Internet or consult directly with the shop staff, but to some extent you are yourself. But it would be nice to be able to choose a board. Even if you consult with the shop, you can convey more accurate and specific information to the shop if you can consult with them with some knowledge and dialogue, rather than consulting without any knowledge, so the result You will be able to receive accurate advice. Surfing is a natural sport and the wave conditions change every day. The characteristics of the wave quality also differ depending on the surf point. Finding a board that suits you is not easy, but if you first understand the structure and characteristics of a surfboard, you will be able to find the ideal surfboard design that suits you.

1) Longboard type

Longboards can be broadly divided into three types: "classic type", "performance type" and "all-round type". Knowing the characteristics of each is an important point in choosing a board. It is a good idea to consider the style you are aiming for and the wave quality of the sea (points) that you often go to.

Classic type

A classic style board that inherits the style of the 1960s, with a wide and solid weight and a single fin. The tail is also wide, and most of the rails are soft rails without edges, which is suitable for mellow waves with slow breaks. It has excellent linearity and a sense of stability. The classic type is nose riding. Of course, you can nose ride on any type of board as long as it is long, but this type is especially good at it. On the other hand, the turn is difficult because the rotation and maneuverability are not high.

Performance type

It is a type that emphasizes maneuver and is suitable for powerful waves and waves with fast breaks. Compared to the classic board, the width and thickness are reduced, the weight is lighter, the power can be released well even with powerful waves, and the board can be easily tilted and turned. In addition, the side fins of the single stabilizer maintain a sense of stability even during turns, making it easier to handle any wave quality and improving maneuverability. The side fins are responsive and, in a slightly extreme way, allow for offensive turns like a shortboard. Compared to the classic type, the speed and stability are lower, so it is easy to become unstable and difficult to ride on small waves or waves without power.

All-round type

The all-round type is located between the classic and performance types. The design combines the best of both worlds and is designed to be easy to handle on any wave. Like the performance type, it is a single stabilizer with center fins and side fins. There seems to be a view that the allland type board can also be used as a single fin by removing the side fins, but basically it should be used with the center + side fins. Some models may have the side fins removed for single performance, but the board design isn't that simple ... If you want to ride a single fin, we recommend choosing a single fin board.

2) Difference in structure of each part

Here, we will introduce the differences between each type and how to distinguish the characteristics by structure when selecting a board. In addition, the basic knowledge will be explained here with the minimum. If you don't understand the basic knowledge and terminology of the board, or if you have any questions while reading , please see the basic knowledge of surfboards for beginners .

Nose Concave

The bottom design, which is often found in classic type nose rider models, has a spoon-like curved shape in the vicinity of the nose. The water flow passing there lifts the board and increases buoyancy, and even when moving to the nose, the speed does not slow down and stable nose riding is possible. In recent years, the number of all-land and performance types that have concaves is increasing.

STRINGER

The wood that goes straight into the center of the surfboard is added to increase the strength of the surfboard. It keeps the strength of the surfboard and prevents it from breaking or twisting. The weight will be heavier accordingly. Normally it is one. Most of the classic boards are 3 stringers (3).

Tail design

It may be difficult to understand because I wrote it freehand, but ... (I'm sorry I'm sorry). You can judge the features to some extent even with the tail design. In addition, since the characteristics of the board change depending on the balance of each part and the total design, it is not possible to judge by the tail alone.

Pintail

It is narrow, sharp and has a sharp tip, and is used for gunboards targeting big waves. Since there is little resistance to water, it is easy to put in the rail and it is easy to turn even in a loose wave.

Round pin tail

Similar in shape to the pintail, but slightly rounded and wider. Although the characteristics are similar, it is more susceptible to water resistance due to the wider width, and it has high rotation even with small waves. It is suitable for relatively large waves and powerful waves.

Round tail

Slightly wider than the round pin tail, it has a looser and more rounded shape. Generally, a round pin tail is suitable for large waves, and the middle of the square tail is positioned as a round tail, which is the easiest tail design to handle. It is often used for all-land type boards because it can handle any wave.

Square tail

It is wider than other tail designs and has sharp left and right corners. The buoyancy of the tail is strong, so the takeoff is quick. It has a good turn response, is sharper than squash, and is easy to speed up. Conversely, it can be said that delicate maneuverability is required because of the good response. Powerful waves make it difficult to control, so it is suitable for small waves and mellow waves.

Squash tail

The square tail has a slightly rounded shape. The most standard in the tail design. It can be said that it is an all-round type tail design as well as a round tail. Since the tail area is slightly larger than the round tail, the installation area on the sea surface is large and the driveability is also high. It is characterized by sharp movements and it seems that many surfers like this tail design on average beach breaks.

Diamond tail

Compared to the round pin tail, it has a slightly more angular design, allowing for sharper turns. A design that combines the good points of a round pin tail and a squash tail.

If you know the characteristics of the 6 tails, you can apply it.

We have introduced 6 types of tail designs that are often used on longboards, but even with the same tail design, the width and shape are slightly different depending on the board. For example, even with squash tails, if the tail end is wide, it seems to have a square element ... On the contrary, if it is narrow, it is a type that has an element close to a round ..., know the characteristics of each. For example, the application will be useful in this way.

Fin System

Longboards are roughly divided into two types: "single fins" and "single stabilizer fins". There are other quad fins as well, but here we will introduce these two.

Single fin

The single fin is effective for turns that draw a large line by tilting the board with a smooth ride. Generally suitable for mellow waves.

Single stabilizer fin

The single stabilizer fins can start moving quickly and make sharp turns due to the effect of the side fins. Generally suitable for powerful waves.

Rocker

A rocker is the warp of a surfboard. The warp on the nose side is called NOSE ROCKER, the warp on the tail side is called TAIL ROCKER, and the flat part between the nose rocker and the tail rocker is called the PLANING AREA.

NOSE ROCKER

Prevents paring where the nose sticks to the surface of the sea during takeoff. In addition, if the nose rocker is strong, the nose portion has less sea surface and ground contact surface, so that the rotation and turnability are improved. On the other hand, the resistance of water increases and the speed decreases.

TAIL ROCKER

The warp of the tail affects the controllability and rotation at the time of turn. Basically, the stronger the rocker, the higher the rotation. On the other hand, the acceleration at the turn is reduced. Boards with weak tail rockers have the opposite nature.

PLANING AREA

As explained in the nose rocker and tail rocker, if the rocker is weak, this planing area will become wider as a result, and speed will increase. (It also improves the sense of stability.) On the contrary, if it is strong, the planing area will be narrowed and the rotation will be improved. When thinking about rockers, it is necessary to think about the balance between these two lockers. In recent years, the all-land type has a weaker nose rocker, and I feel that there are many shapes that strengthen the tail rocker to the middle. By weakening the entry rocker (nose side), a sense of stability is created around the chest, which also affects the paddle, making the paddle easier and making takeoff easier, while strengthening the tail rocker to improve turn control and rotation. It is a board with various specifications.

Center fin position (fin setting)

The box type that allows the center fin to be attached and detached not only allows the fins to be attached and detached, but also allows the fin position to be moved back and forth. It is designed to have a neutral reaction when the fins are in the middle of the box. Attaching the fins to the front improves maneuverability and makes it easier to turn. On the other hand, attaching fins to the back improves straight-line stability and makes it easier to make turns that draw a large arc. It's a good idea to use it in a neutral setting first, and then shift it back and forth according to the wave conditions and surfing style. This alone will change the ride quality. This content is an element common to both "single fin" and "single stabilizer center fin".

3) What style of surfing do you want to aim for?

Have you learned a little about the characteristics of longboards?

What style of surfing do you want to aim for?

I think it's easy to get an image if you have a longing surfer or a familiar surfer you are aiming for.

What kind of wave is the point of surfing normally (if you are starting from now on ... you will go)? What style of surfers do you have? It's a good idea to research and experience it.

Classic style

There are two main styles of longboard. One is the "classic style" that assumes nose riding and trim surfing with mellow waves. As you can tell from the name, nose riding is a technique of moving to the nose side and riding, such as hang five with one foot on the tip of the nose and hang ten with both feet. What is trim surfing .. it feels like. Trim = Trimming is to control the speed of the board to the speed at which the waves break. To be more specific, it is a technology that uses rail work to move ups and downs in small steps for the purpose of acceleration when the power of the waves is small. We will connect to the next technique while making the best use of. This style is good for single fin classic type longboards. The appearance of relaxing the upper body and lightly deciding nose riding with cross steps is the real pleasure of a longboard.

If you really want to see the classic style riding, please watch this video. It's safe to say that no one in the longboard world knows this person ... Surfer Joel Tudor is one of the leading surfers in the world. Not only the classic board, but also the performance type and the mini board, you can see the beautiful riding. It is a model surfer.

Joel Tudor and Kelis Kaleopaa Win 2020 Noosa Longboard Open

Performance style

The other is a "performance style" that emphasizes rotation and turns with powerful waves. One of the attractions is a powerful drive turn that uses your entire body to convey your weight to the board and let the rails dig deep into the waves, rather than a pivot turn that puts your weight only on your hind legs. A style that is good at single stabilizer performance type longboards, and side fins allow for aggressive turns like shortboards. Of course, nose riding is possible, although it is not comparable to the classic board. Since the same single stabilizer is the basis for the all-round type, you can think of the board as an all-land type with a ride that is closer to this type and a wider range of performance types that can handle waves.

Choose a board that suits your home point

It is also important that the wave quality of the surf point matches. Even if you have the style you want, there are some points of wave quality that do not fit extremely depending on the board. In that case, it will be difficult to get on well. I think it is also necessary to select a board while considering the tendency of wave quality, which is my home point. Also, if you have a choice of surf points, it's a good idea to choose a point that suits your style and level.

The expression of the sea changes greatly depending on the weather and waves of the day. If possible, it is recommended to have multiple boards of different types and use them properly according to the conditions. Enjoy with a classic type board when the waves are small or mellow , and enjoy with a performance type board when the waves are upsized and powerful . Each ride will change, so the range of surfing will expand. That said, if you don't have many boards, choosing an all-round board is an option.

However, I don't mean to say "I can only have one = all-round". I think that each style has its own aim, so I think that you should choose it according to each direction and commitment.

4) Finally

What do you think? Did it serve as a reference for "how to choose a longboard that suits you"? To know the structure and characteristics of the board. Think about your surfing style. As a result, you should be able to choose the board that suits you.