I am an avid windsurfer, mediocre surfer, and amateur boardbuilder. “Wide-style” boards for windsurfing have radically changed the sport, and I was curious why nobody shapes surfboards for beginners in a similar way. Windsurfing boards can be as short and wide as 260x100cm. These boards are incredibly easy to learn on because their width makes a very stable platform. The same design is used for light-air racing because there is a lot of lift or secondary float from the wide tail. I know a “wide-style” surfboard would be incredibly difficult to turn, but for someone just wanting to get started on 2-3’ waves, why wouldn’t this design be a good way to begin? I would greatly appreciate your insight. Thanks, Tom
Keep in mind that the board must be narrow enough for a beginner to paddle and carry under arm.
Keep in mind that the board must be narrow enough for a beginner to paddle > and carry under arm. Paddle yes, but carry under there arm, no. Many of my boards can not be carried under the arms of a normal person. I have long arms and even at that I have to carry some of my boards on top of my head. I think a wide board, 23.5 to 24.5 inchs wide, works better, and are faster then a board say 22 inches wide. Add V in the tail, or belly and kick the tail and they will turn well also. Of course I’m talking about longboards, not short boards.
I am an avid windsurfer, mediocre surfer, and amateur boardbuilder. > “Wide-style” boards for windsurfing have radically changed the > sport, and I was curious why nobody shapes surfboards for beginners in a > similar way.>>> Windsurfing boards can be as short and wide as 260x100cm. These boards are > incredibly easy to learn on because their width makes a very stable > platform. The same design is used for light-air racing because there is a > lot of lift or secondary float from the wide tail.>>> I know a “wide-style” surfboard would be incredibly difficult to > turn, but for someone just wanting to get started on 2-3’ waves, why > wouldn’t this design be a good way to begin?>>> I would greatly appreciate your insight.>>> Thanks,>>> Tom When I got back into surfing after a ton of years I had a tough time getting my balance back, plus I had put on a lot of weight. I ended up getting an Infinity that was 25" wide. The board has a ton of nose and tail rocker to make the board turn, plus what they call a cluster fin set-up. I had my neighbor try it and he said it was like standing on a patio. I have lost weight and since moved on to a more normal size board, but I keep the board around for those times when someone wants to go out and try surfing. If they can’t stand up on that board they will never be able to stand up. The folks at Infinity also make waveskis and tandem boards so they are able to work with thicker and wider shapes and still make them surfable.