California resident and entrepreneur Manny Bojorquez's professional interests include engine tuning hyper-fast cars and trophy truck racing. In addition to his professional pursuits, Manny Bojorquez enjoys surfing.
While surfers might appear to glide effortlessly through the water, choosing a board is a real skill. A few of the factors that beginners should consider include skill level, wave type, board volume, fitness level, and age.
Choosing a surfboard involves calculating appropriate board volume. Low volume boards are lighter, which means the person riding the board exerts more weight resulting in the person riding lower in the water, which is more difficult. Experts and advanced surfers choose these boards because of their adeptness at maneuvering the board.
Conversely, high volume boards are heavier, making for more buoyancy. The board volume is heavier, allowing the person to ride higher atop the water. These boards are best used for people beginning to learn the sport because it is easier for them to maneuver the board.
Calculating board volume will require the person to know their fitness and skill levels and age. A person can calculate the ideal board volume using the following formula and buyer’s guide tables for volume, age, and fitness. This method of calculating volume is more accurate, but beginners can also choose a board based on surfboard size. Determining what board to buy this way uses surfing frequency to determine the size of the board.
Novice surfers should have an idea of where they plan to surf to get an idea of the types of waves they will ride. Swellnet reports and forecasts can help with determining wave size, which then will give the person an idea of the model of the board they want to choose.
Finally, surfers usually choose from five fin types (single fin, twin fin, quad, 2 + 1, quad, and Thruster-with the Thruster (three-fin set up, two outer boxes, and a center) being most popular. Regardless of surf level, some experts advise choosing a five fin setup.
