Surfing equipment: what’s out there and how to choose?

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the different types of surfing equipment available. And for each one, we’ll give you tips on how to find the equipment best suited to your level and progress!

1. Surfboards: the B-A-BA of surfing equipment

This is the surfer’s main tool, but it’s also the most technical, and therefore the hardest to choose! There are a whole range of different surfboards in terms of shape and material: longboards, shortboards, fish, egg, foam, resin, etc…

Each board has a specific intended use, and a board responds to a surfer’s needs according to his or her level and the wave in front of him or her. In order to define which board to add to your surfing equipment, and to get a general idea of what a surfboard is, it’s important to know the vocabulary associated with it. Surfers will talk about the board’s height, width, thickness and volume, in that order. All measured in feet and inches (the American way). Volume is the only exception: it’s a value expressed in liters and marked on boards after the other dimensions. This value has been given to surfers for some fifteen years, and gives an idea of the board’s buoyancy.

The longboard

The longboard is a surfboard measuring over 9’0 (9 feet 0 inches). Its length and width give it great buoyancy. It’s an essential piece of surfing equipment. The characteristics of this board allow it to do two things: generate paddling speed with ease and great stability. This board is mainly used when the waves are small or soft (i.e. not very powerful). Small, soft waves are difficult to catch, as they have a hard time carrying the surfer and his weight to the beach. The longboard’s great buoyancy and length enable the surfer to compensate for this lack of energy and speed from the wave.

The malibu (or mini malibu)

This is a surfboard with the same general shape as the longboard, but slightly smaller in length, width, thickness and volume. In general, a malibu is considered to be between 7’0 and 8’11 (just before 9’0). This board is therefore equally suited to the smaller summer waves at Lacanau, while being easier to transport and easier to maneuver/turn once in the water, while retaining significant stability. It’s also a must-have for good surfing gear, as it’s just as stable as the longboard and is suitable for beginners.

The egg

The egg is a type of surfboard measuring around 6’3 to 6’8. It’s shorter than previous boards, but rivals them for buoyancy, since its volume is still considerable. Indeed, the name of this board comes from its very round shape, which makes it more maneuverable than its predecessors, while remaining voluminous. It is therefore easy to row. As this board is shorter than its predecessors, it is a little less stable.

The shortboard and its (many) variations

A shortboard is generally considered to be 6’8 or shorter. It’s short, narrow and thin, which means great maneuverability, but also less buoyancy. It’s less easy to generate speed with the oar, and less stable on the board. Shortboards are therefore reserved for advanced to expert surfers in sufficiently powerful waves. Waves must provide sufficient speed for the surfer, otherwise he or she will sink into the water.

A shortboard with 3 fins is called a thruster. This is the most versatile type of shortboard, and therefore the most widespread. The centerboard adds control and maneuverability.

When a shortboard has 2 fins, it’s called a twin fin. In general, these boards are smaller and have more volume than a classic thruster. The board’s generous volume makes it easy to float and generate speed. The omission of the centerboard allows better water flow under the board, which reduces friction under the board. Once again, this allows you to gain more speed on the wave. The absence of the centerboard also means less control for the surfer. To prevent skidding, the twin’s 2 fins are wider than those of a conventional thruster.

A quattro is a board with 4 daggerboards: 1 full-size daggerboard and 1 smaller daggerboard on each side of the board. As with the twin, the absence of a centerboard means better flow and therefore more speed, but doubling the daggerboards on the sides ensures maximum control. These boards are generally used for surfing fast, hollow waves (such as tubes/rolls), requiring the surfer to go very fast.

The gun

The gun is a very long surfboard, but not shaped like a longboard. The gun is used to catch big waves, even huge ones. The size of these boards is often between 9’0 and 12’0. The need for length comes from the power and speed of big waves. If you don’t paddle fast enough to catch the wave, it can take you with it. The difference in shape between the longboard and the gun lies in the width; the gun is less wide, allowing better control of its trajectory on the wave.

From foam to resin boards

Now that you know all the types of boards you can add to your surfing equipment, we can now ask what the differences are between resin boards and foam boards.

Resin boards are said to be “hard” boards. Foam boards are much safer, more stable and less fragile. Resin boards are very light and rigid, so more maneuverable, but also more dangerous. The final difference lies in the fins/drifts. The fins of foam boards are generally made of soft plastic, whereas the fins of resin boards are made of hard plastic or materials such as fiberglass, carbon… These materials have a sharp profile, so you need to master your board before switching to resin surfing equipment. Beginners at our Ocean Ride surf school will start with foam boards and progress to more technical boards. There’s no point in jumping the gun!

In short, to choose the right board for your surfing equipment, you need to be aware of your level. You also need to know what kind of waves you want to surf. You can also adapt your board to your size: the smaller and lighter you are, the more you can afford to ride short boards with little buoyancy. Conversely, the taller and stronger you are, the more you’ll need to go for big, buoyant boards (wide and thick). However, if you’ve never had the chance to surf before, it’s strongly recommended that you take surfing lessons before taking to the waves on your own, and that you choose stable boards.

2. Fins

The choice of drifts is quite technical. If you’re not very experienced, it’s best to have someone accompany you. We insist on the fact that it can be very (very very very) technical. Their inclination to the flat face of the board, their size and shape can influence a rider’s surfing. On this point, we’ll just say that solid fins are best used when the surfer reaches the level of being able to take smooth waves with different tight trajectories on the same wave. Before that, it’s best to stick with soft plastic daggerboards to avoid injuring yourself or others. In short, safety is an essential value in surfing, and surfing equipment must meet these requirements for the good of all.

3. Leashes

A surfer’s best friend, the leash ensures that you never lose your board (unless you’ve tied it wrong or it breaks…). The only rule regarding the leash is that it must be the same size as the board you’re surfing, so a longboard or gun leash is longer than a shortboard leash.

4. Wetsuits

Today’s neoprene wetsuits come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and thicknesses to suit surfers in all types of weather.

We can already distinguish two major types of wetsuit: shortys, which stop above the knees and elbows, and long wetsuits, known as full wetsuits, which go up to the ankles and wrists.

Shortys are designed to be worn in rather warm waters, around 18-22 degrees. They are ideal for summer at Lacanau.

The integral combinations include 3 different thicknesses.

• – The 3/2: the wetsuit is 3mm thick in the chest and back and 2mm thick in the arms and legs, and is worn in water temperatures ranging from 16° to 20°.
• – The 4/3 (4mm at bust, 3mm at arms and legs) is designed for water temperatures ranging from 12 to 17°.
• The 5/4 is a wetsuit designed for the coldest winter mornings or the cold waters of Nordic countries, and can be worn in water temperatures of 12° and below.

5. Wax

Wax is a type of sticky wax that is mainly applied to resin boards; it prevents the surfer from slipping when standing on the board. There are different types of wax, depending on the temperature of the water in which it will be immersed. The warmer the water, the more compact the wax needs to be (while retaining its sticky properties). We can also add that some waxes have a greater impact on the environment than others.

6. Accessories

Numerous surfing accessories exist and can be added to your surfing equipment. They make surfing easier for everyone. There are, for example, neoprene accessories such as booties for the feet, hoods for the head and gloves for the hands.

Earplugs are one of the many accessories used by surfers. They prevent water ingress and cut wind, protecting ears from ear infections and other illnesses.

Finally, the GoPro is a must-have. A small waterproof camera, it’s a favorite among surfers who want to capture their sessions.

If you’re still wondering which surfing equipment is right for you, booking a session at a surf school could be the answer. Our qualified instructors have the knowledge and experience to help you choose the right board for your size, level and the conditions of the day.

Our Ocean Ride surf school is equipped with a wide range of boards, from 5’6 to 9’0, in foam or resin, and in many different shapes. We have thick, wide boards, ideal for beginners, as well as narrower, thinner boards for intermediate and advanced surfers. We also have bodyboards with fins, wetsuits in several thicknesses depending on the water temperature, and even booties for the more chilly!