Choosing a longboard can be daunting, especially when it comes to finding the right brand. There are many different leading companies in the world of longboarding, all offering a variety of shapes and styles to meet every surfer’s needs.
Nectar is one of the most popular and comprehensive longboard brands, offering boards designed for beginner to expert levels with various lengths and styles. Their uniquely shaped boards allow for maneuverability in any wave and create an enjoyable ride for any surfer.
JKL Surfboards is another well-known brand renowned for their high quality construction and performance capabilities of their boards. With extensive experience providing advanced riders with exceptionally crafted pro-level custom models, jKL has perfected the entire production process while remaining loyal to tradition.
Wave Tools offers affordable options that provide excellent performance mixing modern designs with vintage lines, allowing all types of riders to find something that reflects their style. Wave Tools also provides complete customization so you can distinguish yourself from other riders on the waves!
Local Motion’s craftsmanship approach gives its customers exactly what they need no matter what type of rider they may be. A strong connection between traditional midlength or single fin shaping allows them to provide exceptional rides with unbeatable durability.
Quatro specializes in next level innovations due to their focus on technical advancements as well as shaping solutions used by pros like Kai Lenny, Jeff Hubbard, Dave Kalama, and other top athletes worldwide. They want to make sure that each customer gets an open-minded alternative surfing experience when using Quatro products across all different types of water conditions.
Types of Longboard Surfboards
Longboard surfboards are the go-to for experienced riders, providing them with a greater range of tricks and maneuvers.
With their long length and lightweight construction, they offer great stability when catching waves both large and small. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, each designed to suit a different type of riding style and wave conditions.
Traditional Longboards: A traditional longboard is an excellent choice for those looking to get started surfing. Its broad shape allows for easy maneuverability without the speed you typically find on smaller boards. It is also great for cruising on flat sections when gliding down the line.
Fish Surfboards: Fish surfboards offer increased speed as well as maneuverability due to their shorter width and length compared to traditional longboards. This design offers less drag which helps generate more power during turns to make riding waves easier.
With its narrow width and fishtail shape, this board can quickly move around the water with ease making it great for those new to surfing who want something easier to handle but still have some pace behind them.
Soft Top Longboards: Soft top longboards feature foam surfaces that help absorb shocks from impact or difficult landings protecting your feet from bruises or injuries while allowing you maximum control over the board’s movement as you cruise around on the water surface.
The thick deck also makes it an ideal choice for beginners since it will have a lower center of gravity making it easier to balance on top of the board even if you don’t have shoulder-width stances yet polished moves like those more experienced riders can perform on this type of board..
High-Performance Longboards: High performance longboards often feature narrower shapes than most other types of boards, especially at the nose where thinness ensures better buoyancy between your body weight and gravity forces so that you make tight turns effortlessly before going back uphills again instantly with much less effort required during push-offs thanks to its precise drive ratios it provides.
High performance longboards can be constructed with durable materials such as fiberglass or epoxy resin core decks making them suitable as an all-around working horse regardless of whether it is used in fast races or leisurely cruises where lighter paddles are welcome too – options you wouldn’t normally expect from most other standard skateboard shapes available out there.
Fun Boards: Fun Boards combine features from wider cruiser boards with short boards offering a blend between maneuverability and swiftness in one package easily handled by amateur riders who have not got enough time playing around with different styles yet still wish for a versatile choice that works excellently in any type of conditions and closeouts.
Fun Board designs generally tend to reflect boards from earlier eras such as modified cut rules vs modern short boards typical behaviors as soon as hip pressure instead of head/front foot pressure is applied into unusually deep fins cutting away excessive speed while simultaneously facilitating sharper turns thrown when smashing through tube sections.
These hybrid models merge all the best characteristics found across multiple models containing essences ranging from traditional styling fins right up to the latest deep tracks currently popularized nowadays onto a single! extremely useful package!
Foam Boards: Foam surfboards are the perfect beginner’s choice because they are cheap, lightweight, and extremely buoyant due to their soft surface which helps keep beginning riders standing no matter what kind of conditions they happen to be surfing in.
Making it a perfect model for practice sessions helping riders learn very basic geometries before moving onto more sturdy hardwood built variants as skills improve much faster than ever imagined too!
Epoxy Surfboards: Epoxy surfboards use state-of-the-art technology combined with lightweight materials to create highly responsive ride quality which gives full control dialed accuracy plus ample strength coexisted within a light but flexible texture.
Parts of a Longboard Surfboard
- The Nose of a longboard surfboard is the front end usually rounded in shape. It helps guide water flow under the board and contributes to the wave speed.
- The Tail is the back of the board – usually squared off to create more stability and make turns easier to control.
- Rails are the edges that run down both sides of a board – they vary in thickness depending on performance needs, aiding with buoyancy and wave speed.
- Rocker is the curvature from nose to tail on the base of a board, allowing for longitudinal flexibility when turning or catching waves.
- A Stringer is a thin strip of wood running through the middle of many boards for extra rigidity and strength.
- Squash Tail shaped boards provide added maneuverability for longboards – they offer more lift than their round counterparts, making them suitable for smaller waves.
- Conversely, Rounded Nose boards provide greater stability in larger surf conditions.
- Finally, Square Tail designs help keep tracks steady in hollow or fast passages of water – their distinct design restores higher speeds after turns due to its improved release flow from rail to rail.
Suitable Longboard Surfboards for Different Wave Conditions
For huge waves, a Gun longboard surfboard is ideal. It features a rounded nose and plenty of rockers to make high-speed maneuvres easy to execute. With the extra volume at the nose, it has excellent buoyancy in the water and will keep you afloat even when overhead sets roll in.
Powerful waves demand an asymmetrical board designed for more radical turns and cutbacks. A Daggerfish surfboard is great for these conditions with its elongated profile, extra width, and narrow tail for quick turns. The slightly thicker shape ensures lots of stability during high speed trimming.
Medium wave surfers should try a step-down longboard that offers plenty of planing surface with medium concave for fast paddles yet still enough turning potential if you want to take on those sweet barrels from time to time.
Weak wave riders can benefit from a classic nose rider design with pintail or swallowtail shapes being particularly popular combinations. These boards offer ample planer area whereas their wide noses have good floatation characteristics allowing you to stay on top during small mushy rides.
The Mushy Wave sees lots of love from surfers riding a hybrid board that combines the best features of a short- and longboard – giving them maneuverability while still giving them plenty of soft rail work in smaller conditions.
You won’t get lost amongst those barrel sections but still have plenty of water contact no matter what part of your board you use making it a great choice for weak mushy days at the beach.
Longboard Surfboards for Different Levels of Surfers
Longboards are a great choice for all levels of surfers.
For beginners, a longboard surfboard is perfect for learning the basics and fundamentals of surfing. A board with more volume and width can also provide extra stability, which makes it easier to learn how to paddle and stand up.
A wide nose also offers more control in waves as it gets bigger. Beginner boards generally have full shapes, usually measuring between 8 and 10 feet long.
For intermediate surfers, stepping up to an intermediate board can offer more maneuverability and performance when tackling larger waves. Most boards in this category range from 6’6” to 9’0” long, making them an excellent option for both larger waves as well as smaller days.
Generally, they are quite versatile boards that can be ridden in a variety of conditions; they also offer improved speed and responsiveness compared to beginner boards.
More advanced surfers looking for performance and top-end speed should check out high-performance longboards or mini-longboards. These specialized boards offer lots of maneuverability while still maintaining enough length for a sustained glide down the line.
High performance models feature shorter lengths, narrower tails, fuller rails, and thinner outline profiles, which help generate speed in medium sized waves while still providing adequate stability; they typically measure between 5’6” to 7’2” long.
Finally, professional level surfers often opt for shortboard-like designs that blend the characteristics of traditional longboards with high-performance shortboards; these hybrid small wave performers measure anywhere from 5’4″ – 6’8″.
With thruster fin setups, pulled-in noses, low rocker profiles, and thin rails, these stylish designs are capable of driving hard off the bottom onto aerial maneuvers in even the smallest conditions!
Longboard Surfboard Materials and Construction
Polyurethane Foam is an important material used in the construction of a Longboard Surfboard. The foam provides buoyancy and shock-absorption, allowing surfers to take on bigger waves with confidence. Its lightweight and long-lasting characteristics make it a popular choice amongst surfers of all levels.
Exotic Materials are also used in the construction of Longboards. These materials include Carbon composites, aluminum foams, various polymers, and other composite formulations for additional strength and durability. Top-grade materials also provide desirable flex response and ride quality which is ideal for beginner to advanced level riders.
Strongest Materials such as epoxy resin create a durable exterior that can withstand abusive conditions such as constant exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, consistent pounding against rocks or coral, heavy wear during air drops or radical maneuvers, etc. Epoxy construction offers maximum board strength while keeping weight relatively low compared to traditional fiberglass options.
Three Marine-ply Stringers are often incorporated into the center core area of the surfboard providing stiffness and support which adds increased rigidity along with responsiveness under turns enhancing overall performance in bigger swells and variable wave conditions alike. This type of construction also provides comfort during riding making it easier to endure longer sessions in demanding environments.
The combination of Polyurethane foam, Exotic materials, Top-grade materials, Strongest materials, Durable Epoxy Construction, and Three Marine-ply Stringers works together to create a Longboard Surfboard that is strong yet flexible offering an exceptional degree of control combined with an incredibly comfortable ride for an enjoyable surfing experience every time.
Longboard Surfboard Features and Add-ons
Rash Guard – A rash guard is a great add-on for anyone who is looking to surf the waves on their longboard. It is a type of protective clothing meant to guard against sunburn, cuts, and abrasion while surfing or bodyboarding.
The fabric provides additional padding and protection from scrapes and falls. Rash guards are usually made of quick-drying spandex material with some type of lightweight mesh lining that allows it to breathe.
Surfboard Rack – A surfboard rack is an essential item for anyone who enjoys longboarding in the surf and wants to transport their board safely and securely.
The racks come in different sizes, shapes, and types with some designed for holding up multiple boards at once and others better suited for holding just one board at a time. Additionally, most racks are adjustable in height wise so they can accommodate either shorter or longer boards.
Surfboard Skateboards – Surfing skateboards are a unique hybrid between traditional shortboard skateboarding, longboarding, and surfing longer waves.
Surfboard skateboards bridge the gap between land-based sports such as downhill street skating or vertical pool skating, whilst still allowing riders to achieve a classic surf feel riding the curl of various waves all year round – no matter what weather!
Shorter Surfboards – Shorter surfboards provide more maneuverability on smaller waves due to their decreased surface area in contact with the sea surface. They also require less energy to make decisive turns compared to large boards, making them ideal for sharper carves – but beware that they can easily get passed around by larger swells or powerful winds!
With this said, they make excellent practice tools as well as companion choices if you’re heading out into unfamiliar territory where you need finesse maneuvering capabilities combined with practical size considerations; definitely consider these if these factors apply to you!
Longboard Surfing Techniques and Styles
Nose Riding is a longboard surfing technique that requires the surfer to use their foot to balance themselves on the nose of the board while riding the wave.
To do this properly, the surfer balances their foot on the nose and maintains their weight low. The surfer then leans forward and uses their nose as a pivot point allowing them to stay on the wave for an extended period in a smooth transition.
Rail Transitions are longboard techniques which involve turning by shifting weight from one rail to another. The surfer can move up, down, or across the wave all while maintaining contact with one rail at all times.
Rail Transitions require precise balance and positioning; being able to keep your balance while moving along one rail can help you move into different areas of energy within a wave faster than traditional turns.
Soft Rails are surfaces that allow a surfboard to slide easily on its rails (more often found in foam or fiberglass boards). Soft rails help create smoother turns and transitions with less effort from the rider and provide better hold when maneuvering across elements of force such as high winds or choppy ocean conditions.
Flat Rocker is a popular form of longboarding for creating stable flat turns aimed at speed conservation. Flat rocker works best in shallow water where gravity does not affect it too much making it ideal for noseriding tricks like cross-stepping across steep waves with narrow troughs.
Its shape is designed for large open faces, allowing riders to move quickly around swells without any resistance and it’s great for avoiding large drops in waves too small to even ride out any other way.
Medium Rocker is often referred to as an intermediate rocker and is used mostly by those looking for performance combined with stability on slightly bigger waves than that of a flat rocker board but not as aggressive as more pronounced rockers like progressive surfing boards.
This type of shape allows skaters to get more control on big waves which would otherwise be too hard to handle off steeper curves due to uneven amounts of contact on both side points during turns which could cause loss of momentum during rides unless perfectly balanced upon entry paddling outmodes support pop ups etc.
Progressive Surfing is developing new maneuvers such as aerials by generating speed off larger sections of the wave face that would otherwise be unrideable through traditional forms of surfing movements such as bottom turn or bottom carve” styles – usually only possible on steeper slopes.
It utilizes advanced stance & posture techniques that result in fluid motion- characteristics tailored specifically towards achieving sustained speed over larger sections – enhanced performance/control/radius tightens slotted corner cycles allow new lines higher entry speeds & greater visibility over terrain + controlling rides – making use if features & form available at any given location worldwide.
The Style of Surfing encompasses an approach towards using different maneuvers & adaptations suited whether bodyboarding /longboarding /short boarding / working independently upon set moves/ combinations between sliding combos grinds punctuated by an array of spins cutbacks flicks attempts toward maneuvers developed ahead modern day equipment capabilities.
Longboard Surfboard Recommendations
Are you looking for the best longboard surfboard? Whether you want something more suitable for beginner surfers, or a board that can handle heavy waves and gives you a stable ride, there are many boards to choose from. We recommend choosing a longboard based on style, wave type, and comfort level.
Tyler Warren and Jamie O’Brien fans have some excellent options when it comes to surfing longboards. Tyler’s multi-dimensional longboards, such as the HP2C and The ShowRoom, provide an ideal choice for surfing any type of wave with exceptional stability and precision. Meanwhile, Jamie O’Brien’s Freebird Series can help any surfer find their feet in choppy waters with its fast maneuvers and elegant aesthetics.
Longboarding may be intimidating with all of the different boards available out there but don’t worry! There are plenty of great boards to make your experience even better than ever. If you’re looking for an all rounder board then we suggest going for one that is longer than nine feet, ideal if you’re chasing those clean barrels.
For those that want a little more speed than the six foot plus range would do the trick! Either way, you’ll get reliable performance no matter what size wave opens up ahead of you.
When it comes to style, nothing beats stand up paddle boarding down the line on a classic log shaped longboard; made from lightweight EPS foam cores which provide maximum flex producing smoother turns while still maintaining strength & durability to withstand heavier waves conditions as well as going over shallower reef breaks or shore breaks seen in less powerful clean waves days.
Whether it’s Tyler Warren’s classic retro shapes or Jamie O’Brien’s FreeBird series everyone is sure to find his/her desired perfect surfboard at Longboarding Store! So get your longboard now and keep browsing our wide selection of boards so you can start making your dream come true!
Conclusion: Best Longboard Surf Brands
When it comes to the best longboard surf brands, the decision depends on what type of board you are looking for and your level of experience.
Beginners and experienced surfers alike may want to consider a traditional longboard style like the ones made by brands like Hoven or Siren Surfboards, while more professional surfers may find that high-performance longboard styles from names like Channel Islands or Firewire provide the sturdiness and maneuverability they need.
For novice surfers, shorter boards typically offer greater stability for learning the basics, while nose riders tend to be great for those who enjoy a more classic style.
Larger boards meant for cruising or softer boards made of high-quality foam can accommodate a variety of surfing objectives from first-time lessons to extended surfing sessions.
In order to determine which type of board you should choose for your own needs and the conditions at hand, attending local surfing classes or consulting with an expert in the field may help you make the most suitable choice.
No matter what brand you choose, when equipped with the right knowledge and skills to match your own surfing style it will guarantee that you get plenty of enjoyment out of your next ride.
