Shortboards

Shortboards are high performance surfboards that measure 5 feet 5 inches to 7 feet long, 16 to 19 inches wide, and 1.5 to 1.9 inches thick. Generally shortboards are made with three fins: one large one in the center and two smaller ones towards the rails, however twin and quad fins are also common. Shortboards are used by advanced surfers, allowing them to change direction quickly and perform advanced maneuvers with more agility than a normal size surfboard can provide. Because of their more compact size, shortboards provide a surfer with greater control and speed, along with much more power than is possible using a regular surfboard. Also called Thursters or performance boards, shortboards are less stable and harder to paddle than longer boards. There are three types of shortboards. One is a standard model, which is great for everyday surfing. Then there is the high performance version, which has less volume and more rocker in the tail than a standard model, making it ideal for extreme maneuvers. The third model is the Small Wave, made for performance surfing in small wave conditions and providing surfers with more volume and less rocker in the tail.

What to Look for

Shortboards can come in single or double concave models, the latter allowing for more stability with the lead foot. When shopping for your shortboard, you will find squash, rounded pin or swallow tails and beveled rails, along with the various fin styles, or you can have your shortboard made to order as the professionals do. Some commercial shortboards are stiff and some are softer, which make good training boards.
Softer shortboards are made with a foam-filled body that is covered in vinyl with reinforced rail and deck areas. When deciding on which shortboard is for you, take into consideration models that have a spring-loaded return to give you optimum acceleration for fast maneuvers. Make sure to figure in your weight and the type of waves you will be surfing when you are making your selection so that you are sure to get the right amount of flex in your board.

Common Pitfalls

Shortboards are fun to ride, but you need to be an experienced surfer to do so. Because of their small size and narrow silhouette, shortboards can be unstable and hard to paddle. Their unpredictability in the water and minimal flotation makes them challenging. If you are not fit and if you don't yet have your surfing chops, it's best to wait until you are farther along in the sport before buying a shortboard. Shortboards can also be difficult to manage if you are too tall.