A surfboard is a uniquely Californian icon, although surfing actually originated in Hawaii hundreds of prescription cialis generic years ago. If you’re thinking of taking up the popular hobby of surfing, one of the first things you’ll need to think about is what kind of surfboard to choose. Modern surfboards range in length from 5 to 12 feet, but length isn’t the only consideration to keep in mind.

There are many different surfboard designs, each with their own purpose, advantages, and disadvantages. The three main surfboard categories are soft surfboards, longboards, and shortboards. Soft boards are recommended for beginners, as they are comfortable and very stable. The softer foam reduces the chance of injury when falling off the board. Most soft surfboards are made with foam coated with fiberglass, and measure between nine and ten feet long to assist you with balance and stability.

The longboard is typically the board of choice for intermediate surfers. This board is made entirely of fiberglass, making it much more rigid and harder than the soft surfboard. In ancient times, this style of surfboard would have been carved from a solid tree trunk, and weighed up to 150 pounds. These boards range in size from nine to twelve feet.

Finally, experienced surfers may move on to shortboards, which are fast and maneuverable. They are also difficult to balance on, making them frustrating for beginning surfers. Short surfboards are recommended for those who are ready to start learning tricks or joining surf competitions.

The shape of the surfboard can have an even more dramatic affect on the rideability of the board. The outline of the board determines turning speed and how the board will handle in the water. Within the three main types of surfboard, there are dozens of shape variations that have come and gone over the years.

The most popular surfboard shape for beginners is the ‘egg,’ which has a rounded profile and tail shape. This board is ideal for catching smaller waves. It won’t let you perform the tricks you see in surfing competitions, but it’s a good starter board for those looking to have a lot of fun on the surf. Another popular surfboard shape, known as the Fish, was created in the 1970s and made instantly popular by pro surfer Tom Curren. Shorter than the Egg, this board is designed for surfing smaller waves.

Most longboards, also known as Mal boards, typically have a single fin and a large rounded nose. This surfboard can often be seen in Malibu, where it is used to catch the biggest waves. An offshoot of the longboard, the Mini Mal is shaped like the Mal, but only measures seven to nine feet long. This change in length allows the board to be much more maneuverable. Many of these boards have three fins rather than the single fin of the Mal. The Gun is another mid- to long- surfboard, measuring 7 to 12 feet. Popular on beaches known for big waves, such as Waimea Bay, this board is shaped like a shortboard, but has the length of a longboard or Mini Mal.

Surfing is a sport that can be enjoyed at virtually any age and can quickly become a lifestyle or a way of life. Whether you live on the beach in California, or daydream about laying out on the white sands of Hawaii, summer makes thousands of people think of the time-honored tradition of surfing.

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