Surfboards are used to ride breaking waves, and where invented by the islanders of Hawaii. Surfboards come in many shapes and sizes. The type of surf board used when surfing will be determined by many factors, primarily the surfer and the surf conditions that day.

Here's a round up of the different types of common surfboard

Shortboards

Shortboards are quick and easier to turn, making them popular with experienced surfers. They are less buoyant, which makes them harder to paddle and more difficult to catch small waves with. They are really handy for transporting as they normally fit easily into a car.

Mini-mal (funboards)

Mini-mal surfboards, often called funboards, fit neatly between shortboards and longboards. They are easier to move and control than longboards, but more stable than shortboards.

Longboards

Longboards are the largest type of surfboard. Their size makes them more buoyant and stable, which makes them easier to paddle and catch waves with. They are great in small to medium surf when you can enjoy a long wave right into the shore. They are more difficult to turn than shorter boards. They are often difficult to transport as they do not fit into a car.

Bodyboards

Bodyboards are normally used lying down, in the prone position, or sometimes in the dropknee position. Bodyboards are shorter than other surfboards, normally around 42 inches (1.1 metres). Boadyboarding is cheap and easy to start. Bodyboards are flexible, being made from polypropylene or arcel.

Skimboards

A skimboard is a tiny small board, used to hydroplane across sections of shallow water. Skimboarders perform tricks, many of which have derived from skating.

Kneeboards

Kneeboards are ridden on the knees. Similar in many ways to bodyboarding, kneeboarders wear swim fins, and catch waves by paddling.

Transporting surfboards

Transporting surfboards, particularly longboards, can be difficult. Our transporting surfboards section has great advice to make life easier.