TAIL SHAPES
As you'll konw the tail is at the base of the board when you
hold it upright. There are quite a few different tail shapes with
each shape providing different board performance, and are suited to
different surf conditions.. If you have had a look around the
websiteyou would have already have seen that there is a wide range
of different Surfboard Tail Shapes to choose from, but what do they
all do?
| |
SQUASH TAIL / ROUNDED SQUARE
This is probably the most common tail shape on modern surfboards.
The design serves both the benefit of a stable ride, while still
letting the board remain loose enough to pull modern manouvers. The
Squash is a great tail shape for any standard of surfer and can be
used in both small and overhead waves. |
| |
SQUARE TAIL
The rails meet the tail at sharp corners giving the surfboard good
maneuverability, however it can tend to jump awkwardley when moving
from. rail to rail. It allows for a wider tail, preserving volume
well behind the forward fins, which helps flotation. This shape
tends to be used in small to head high waves. The Squaretail is
really the pre-runner to the Squashtail and is not so common on new
boards these days. |
| |
PIN TAIL
The pintail doesn't have the raw acceleration of a square or
squashtail, but what it lacks in off-the-mark speed it gains
immensely in control and subtlety of turning angles, and the
generally narrower immediate tail area fits better into barrels
than either square or squash. A common tail shape among elite pros,
particularly in surf over six feet. |
| |
ROUNDED PIN
Like the pin this tail also has great control and lends itself to
smooth turns and slotting in the pocket of the barrel. In making
the pin slightly rounder it loosens it up slightly, making a more
active board, perfect in the 6 foot range. |
| |
SWALLOW TAIL
This combines the rail drive of the Squaretail and the sensitivity
of the Pintail. This is the tail shape used on Fish Surfboards. The
wider tail gives better paddling power and increased drive in
smaller waves. |
| |
BAT TAIL
The Battail performs like a Swallowtail with it's two outer pivot
points and the addition of the central point of the wing providing
greater stability. The Battail is good in smallish to overhead
waves and is one of the more modern surfboard tail designs. |
| |
WINGS
The wing is really not a tail shape but more of a rail shape. It
can be seen as the bump in the rails just in front of the front
fins. Don't be confused and think that this is a different tail
shape. |