Tail shape acts like the steering wheel of a surfboard, controlling speed, timing, and pivot by dictating the board’s width and rail line. The most crucial function of the tail is to govern how quickly you can transition from one rail to the other during turns.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Swallowtail (All-Around)
An all-around, high-performance tail shape that offers a pivot point for changing direction and maximum rail length for hold. When released, the abrupt width change offers a sudden change of direction. Good choice for forward momentum.
Rounded Pin / Rounded Tail (Speed/Hold)
This shape brings the rail line into a point with very little curve break. This reduces pivot and gives you less release but provides maximum hold on rail for long, drawn-out arcs at high speeds. Best used when the wave is fast and you don’t need to generate speed.
Winged Tail (Pivot + Width)
A wing adds pivot points through the pocket while still maintaining a lot of width in the tail. This gives you high sensitivity (rail-to-rail action) while still having the width needed to maintain speed and flow.
Pintail (Stop & Start)
A highly dramatic, narrow pintail is designed for a very stop-and-start style. You bury the narrow point using the lack of width at the tip to completely reset your speed, then stand back up to use the board’s width to regain speed and flow.
Squash Tail
A pulled-in squash tail is a good all-around option that offers sensitivity for rail-to-rail action while still keeping width in the tail for maintaining speed in smaller waves.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ignoring Tail’s Purpose
Not matching the tail shape to the speed and power of the wave you ride. A rounded pin on a weak wave, for example, will struggle, as it requires the wave to be fast to function correctly.
Assuming All-Rounder
Assuming any tail can be all-around. While a swallowtail is a good option, you need to be comfortable maneuvering your board from behind the midpoint. You must explain to your shaper whether you want a very sensitive board or something forgiving.