Understanding surfboard tail shapes is essential for beginners looking to match their board to the waves they surf. The shape of the tail significantly affects the board’s speed, buoyancy, and turning ability.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Squash Tail (Speed & Buoyancy)
The squash tail has more area, providing more buoyancy, which helps you stay above the water and gain speed. It gives you more projection out and is the tail the majority of surfers would ride on the smaller side (waist-high and below).
Round Tail / Thumb Tail (Hold & Sink)
The round tail (or thumb tail) has less area than the squash, causing it to sink quicker. It is better for a slightly better wave (more size/push) and provides more top-to-bottom projection. More pointy round pins are for bigger waves, giving more bite and hold.
Swallowtail (Best of Both)
The swallowtail acts like a middle ground between a squash and a round tail. It retains the area and buoyancy of a squash but acts like two small mini pintails, which helps the board sink and bite more when you turn.
Groveller Tails
Groveller models often have an extra-wide squash tail to provide maximum buoyancy and speed on small, knee-high waves. The wide, straight tail also helps the board stay above the water.
Winged Tails
Wings create a break (or hip) in the outline, which acts as a pivot or release point when you turn. This allows for a sharper change of direction than a straight rail line would allow.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mismatched Conditions
Riding a round tail when the waves are small. The thumb tail sinks quicker and will not provide the necessary buoyancy or projection needed for a smaller wave.
Ignoring Tail Biting
For high-performance turning, avoiding tails that allow the board to “bite.” The biting characteristic (or sinkability) is necessary to engage the fins and initiate the turn.