![]() ![]() More foam in the tail if you're a powerful surfer (you need something to push against) If you can catch waves well but surf in sloppy weak waves then you need the volume through to the tail. If your wave count is pretty dire then you need that volume under your chest. Volume is a good starting block to get an idea of all the different shapes that are available to your skill set and physical attributes. So a couple of rules or guidelines for you: You need foam exactly where you lack skill or ability! The midsection, where I'm putting my paddling weight, has virtually no foam and neither does the tail. It's 40 litres in volume but has all the foam in the tip of the nose. An extreme example, but let's say I have a board in the shape of a mushroom. Where that actual foam or float is has a massive influence too. So dimensions were great when everyone was shaping the same type of boards, but the above example can be totally misleading. Then there's my 5'10 Almond Butter which just an inch wider and yet has nearly 8 litres more float. However, my Tomo Surfboards such as a Vanguard (5'5 x 18 1/4 x 2 7/16 28.8 litres) has more volume than my Lost Mini Driver (5'10 x 19 1/4 x 2 1/2 27.6 litres). Volume was never a thing and some old school shapers still view volume as a gimmick. Gone are the times when you used to go to your shaper and get the usual dimensions. So many different shapes, designs and concepts. Then again, by that time you should have a pretty good read on what is required and what kind of surfboard dimensions and volume size is right for you.Hard to believe that all of the above boards are between 27 litres and 31 litres. In such cases, you can speak with a shaper or use a volume calculator (these are provided on most manufacturer websites). If you’re a beginner, these boards should be enough to meet your skill level and if you’re much taller or heavier than the average, and you need a little more support, just look for something that has a few more inches of length.Īs an experienced rider, choosing a surfboard becomes more of a technical issue, as you’ll want to consider the length, width, volume, rail shape, tail shape, fin setup, and more. If all of that sounds too complicated, the easiest way to approach the subject is to know that none of it really matters, providing you choose a funboard or a longboard. It’s why funboards are often recommended for first-timers and why they are also considered more of a “fun” or even a “step-up” board.Īs for a longboard, it can go as high as 100L, although it may hover around the 80L mark.Īt this level, it stops being about height and weight and is all about experience and how much buoyancy you’re looking for.Īs for standup paddleboards, the volume in liters can be double that of longboards. ![]() It’s enough to keep them upright, give them control, and ensure the board is not dragging through the water like a rubber dinghy.Ī funboard, which is around 7 feet, goes up to 50L and will be enough to cater for much larger and more inexperienced surfers. That might not sound like a lot, but we’re talking about superfit athletes here, and many surfers weigh just 150 to 160 pounds. The pros tend to ride shortboards just under 6 foot and these boards offer between 25 and 35L of volume. The final thing to consider for any volume calculator is your experience level.Īs a complete beginner choosing a surfboard with stability in mind (essentially something that allows you to stay on the board and minimize embarrassing wipeouts), your ideal volume is always going to be much higher than a pro who has the skill level needed to stay upright. To put it simply, the thicker and wider you are, the more volume you’re going to need. The thicker and wider it is, the more volume it will allow. The first is the width and thickness of the board. Now that we know why volume is important, let’s consider the three main factors that go into this equation. What is Surfboard Volume (Surfboard Volume Calculator)? ![]() When you’re just getting your feet wet as a surfer, you need the extra stability and buoyancy provided by a greater volume, and that’s one of the main reasons that longboards are recommended for first-timers. The buoyancy in general will be much higher on a board that has more volume, and this makes it more suitable for beginners. Surfboard volume is not just about finding a board that is buoyant enough to support your weight, either. It’s the difference between a board that sits comfortably atop the water and allows you to move quickly and one that dips below the surface and drags slowly through the surf. Surfboard volume is very important, even more so than the fin setup, the rail type, and the board length. ![]()
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