Surfboards Guide: What Are the Different Types of Surfboards?
By now you’ve probably noticed that surfboards come in all shapes and sizes.
There are toothpick-skinny boards, boards that are twice as long as most people and boards that look wonderfully weird.
There are plain white boards. Boards with cool designs. And boards that look like they’re from another era.
In short, boards vary in almost as many ways as humans do. You can go to any beach and not see two of the same surfboards.
That said, all surfboards fall into certain categories.
For the purpose of this article, we’re going to break down the 6 most common types of surfboards that you’ll find in the water. This includes:
- Shortboards
- Longboards
- Eggs
- Mid-lengths
- Fishes
- Foamies
Assuming you’re new to the surfing world, this is a great place to start. Do you need to be an expert on all 6 types? Def not!
But it’s helpful to have a broad-ish understanding of each, so you can make a more informed decision when choosing the right surfboard… whether you’re buying from your local surf shop or borrowing one of our 100 boards for a session chasing unbroken waves.
Let’s go!
Shortboards
These are the high-performance Ferraris of the surf world.
Fast, sexy and built for shredding wave faces with tight turns and radical manoeuvres.
Most beginner surfers dream of riding a shortboard, but mastering one takes time. These high performance boards are made for experienced surfers who value responsiveness, speed and control in powerful waves.
History
- Came onto the scene during the late 1960s
- Introduced during a period known as the “Shortboard Revolution”
- Surfers wanted more speed and to perform sharper turns in critical parts of the wave
- Mark Richards, Gerry Lopez and other iconic surf legends helped push the style
- Shaped the modern high-performance surf culture we know today
Design
- Shortboards are generally (but not always) between 5’6” and 6’6” with a pointed nose shape, thin profile and less buoyancy than other boards
- They’re designed to be reactive and agile and ridden by those with a high surfing ability
- They often feature a thruster setup (three fins) for control and generating speed
- The reduced surfboard volume means more effort paddling, but far more manoeuvrability once you’re riding
- Tail shapes often include rounded tails, squash tails or even pin tails to enhance control in steeper, bigger waves
- Shortboards are either PU (polyurethane) or epoxy boards, with epoxy surfboards being lighter, stronger and better for smaller boards with less float
Examples
Longboards
Longboards are the smooth operators of the surfing world. They’re great for small waves, mellow conditions and anyone chasing style and a sense of glide.
They’re the definition of a good board for relaxed, casual, unhurried surfing. Longboards exude a laidback vibe and contain loads of surfboard volume for easy paddling and stability.
History
- The original surfboard shape… dating back hundreds of years to ancient Hawaii
- Became a symbol of surf culture in the 1950s and 60s in California and Waikiki
- Made famous by surf icons like Duke Kahanamoku and Phil Edwards
- Originally made from solid wood (super heavy and a nightmare to manoeuvre)
- Modern versions use lighter materials but keep the classic look and feel
Design
- Typically 9 feet or longer with a wide nose shape and generous outline, longboards have enough stability to suit all surfing levels (especially beginner surfers)
- The flat rocker helps catch waves early and ride longer sections
- Fin options include classic single fins or 2+1 for extra control
- While usually not high performance boards, they allow for elegant turns, cross-stepping and even noseriding
- Longboards can be offered as both hard surfboards or foam surfboards
Examples
Eggs
Eggs are all about fun and flow. They’ve got that retro soul with a hint of modern spice to keep things interesting.
Easy to paddle, super forgiving and smooth in varied wave conditions, their easy nature and hybrid characteristics make them perfect for beginner or intermediate surfers transitioning onto a board with less volume.
History
- Eggs trace back to the early 1970s when Skip Frye at G&S Surfboards crafted a shape called the “Egg” in 1971
- It was fast, light and as manoeuvrable as shortboards (yet offered more stability)
- Eggs became a go‑to alternative for surfers seeking the glide of longboards without the bulk
- They caught on in Southern California and influenced popular mid‑length designs like the Bonzer and mini-Malibu
- They’re technically a type of mid-length/longboard/shortboard hybrid, but they’ve earned their own category thanks to how accessible and adaptable they are
Design
- Eggs usually range from 6’0” to 8’0” with a round outline and fuller volume that helps with paddling and stability
- They have a moderate rocker and soft rails, which means they flow nicely through turns and feel super smooth underfoot
- Most come with a flexible fin setup so you can tweak the feel depending on conditions (learn more about fins)
Examples
Mid-Lengths
Mid-lengths are having a resurgence of late. Chiefly because they combine the subtle performance of a shortboard with the glide and paddle power of a longboard.
They allow for early wave entry, but they’re short enough to stay nimble when the wave starts to shape. If you’re looking for versatility and flow with a bit of flair, a mid-length hits that sweet spot.
History
- Mid-lengths have been part of surfing’s DNA since the late 60s and early 70s
- Originally seen as a transitional shape, they bridged the gap between heavy longboards and the radical new shortboards of the time
- In recent years, they’ve seen a massive revival thanks to a global shift toward style, flow and making the most of everyday conditions
- We describe them as the “thinking surfer’s board”… boards that reward clean lines and good positioning over brute force or airs
- They’re stylish, subtle and addictive once you dial them in.
Design
- Mid-lengths generally range from 6’6″ to 8’0″
- They have a sleeker, more streamlined outline than an egg and less bulk than a longboard
- They tend to have a lower rocker for glide and speed, but enough lift in the nose to take on steeper drops
- The rails are often more refined, allowing for smooth carving and better hold through turns
- Fin setups vary… single fins offer classic glide while 2+1 and twin options give more drive, speed and versatility
Examples
Fishes
Fishes are stumpy, wide and seriously fun.
They’re built for speed, looseness and that skatey feeling you get when flying down the line on a playful wave. If the conditions are small or mushy and you still want to rip, grab a fish. Big things come in little packages, it appears.
History
- The original fish was shaped by kneeboarder Steve Lis in the early 1970s in San Diego
- He created it to go fast and stay loose in small, crumbly surf
- Before long, stand-up surfers got curious… and hooked
- The design caught fire (especially in Southern California) and influenced an entire generation of alternative shapes
- Fishes fell out of the spotlight for a while but now they’re embraced by pros and everyday surfers alike for how fun and cool they are
Design
- Fishes are typically under 6’0″
- They have a wide nose, full outline and signature swallow tail that looks like (you guessed it) a fish tail
- They have low rocker, which means they paddle fast and generate tons of speed… even in weak waves
- The rail shape and thickness vary, but most offer great float and a loose feel
- Classic fish boards have a twin fin setup, which gives them that zippy vibe
- Modern versions come in quad setups or even thruster setups
Examples
Foamies
Foamies (or soft-tops) are the ultimate crowd-pleasers.
They’re soft, safe and built for learners, making them the go-to board for beginners, kids and even advanced surfers looking for a stress-free foamie froth session.
History
- The soft-top story starts way back in the 1950s with Hobie Alter, who helped shift the surf world from heavy balsa boards to foam
- His discovery of PU foam made modern surfboard shaping possible and paved the way for more user-friendly constructions
- In 2004, Matt Zilinskas partnered with John Yeh of AGIT Global to create the Wavestorm
- This 8-foot foam board (cheap, safe and sold at Costco) became a beginner’s foamie legend
- From there, companies started refining the tech and creating foamies in all shapes and styles
Design
- Foamie technically isn’t a shape. It’s a construction
- These high volume surfboards use a soft foam deck with a slick bottom and often include internal stringers for stiffness and durability
- They can be shaped like longboards, eggs, fishes or even high-performance shortboards
- The foam construction makes them ultra-forgiving, easy to paddle and almost impossible to ding
- With more than 50 foamie brands on the market today, there’s no shortage of soft-top wave-catching options to suit all levels
Examples
Final thoughts
If you’re just starting your surf journey, we hope this guide helped take some of the mystery out of all those weird and wonderful board shapes.
Mind you, you don’t need to know everything to get started. You just need the right board, a bit of stoke and a willingness to wipe out a few (okay… a lot of) times.
We can help you find the right board. We have over 100 boards in our quiver for you to use during lessons and borrow.
Simply hit the button below to book your stop.
Our board library is waiting for you!
