The hardest part of buying a board is not the board. It is being honest about your surfing. Most people choose the board ridden by someone they admire, then wonder why it feels like hard work. The right board is the one that suits how you actually surf and the waves you actually get, not the one you wish suited you.
So here are the four families, in plain terms, and who each one is really for.
The fish
Short, wide and flat, with a swallow tail and plenty of foam for its length. A fish is built for small to average waves, the sort of waves most of us surf most of the time. It paddles well, catches waves early and carries speed through flat sections that would stall a shortboard.
It suits surfers who want fun over performance, who surf mushier beach breaks, and who would rather make the wave and enjoy it than force radical turns on a wave that will not allow them. Do not dismiss it as a beginner board. Very good surfers ride fish because on the average day they are simply more fun.
The shortboard
The pointy, thin, curvy board you see in the magazines. Built for performance in good waves, made to turn hard, fit into the pocket and surf vertically. It rewards a surfer who generates their own speed and needs steep, clean, decent sized waves to come alive.
Be honest here. A shortboard in weak, small surf is a punishment. It sinks, it stalls, and it makes a competent surfer look like they are starting over. If you surf good waves regularly and you have the paddle fitness and wave reading to match, it is the most rewarding board there is. If you do not, it will hold your surfing back, not push it forward.
The mid length
The quiet hero, and the board more people should ride. Somewhere between a shortboard and a longboard, usually around seven to eight feet, with easy paddling and glide but still enough curve to turn and trim. A mid length catches loads of waves, works across a huge range of conditions, and flatters your surfing rather than exposing it.
It suits the surfer coming back to the water, the older surfer picking their days, the improver who wants to catch more and surf longer, and honestly most people on most days. If you only own one board and you surf average waves, this is very often the smartest board to own.
The longboard
Nine feet and up, with volume everywhere. Built for glide, for catching the smallest, gentlest waves, for walking the board and for a slower, more graceful style of surfing. On a clean, small, rolling wave nothing else comes close, and a good longboarder makes it look like the easiest thing in the world.
It suits beginners learning to stand, surfers who love small waves, and anyone drawn to a smooth, classic way of riding. It is heavy to carry and less lively in steep or hollow surf, so it is a choice of style as much as conditions.
How to actually choose
Start with your waves, not your ego. What do you surf most weeks, honestly, on an average day. Then your ability, honestly again. Then how often you surf. Those three answers point you at the family before you ever think about a specific board.
For most surfers riding average waves, a fish or a mid length will bring more joy than a shortboard. That is not a criticism, it is just the truth of what the ocean usually gives us.
Use the board finder to narrow it down, or start a custom order and we will work it out together. The job of a shaper is to see what you actually need, not sell you what you asked for.
FAQ
What is the difference between a fish, shortboard, mid length and longboard? A fish is short, wide and fast in small waves. A shortboard is thin and curvy for high performance in good waves. A mid length is a versatile all rounder around seven to eight feet with easy glide. A longboard is nine feet or more, built for glide and small, gentle waves.
Which surfboard is best for small waves? A fish or a mid length is usually best for small to average waves, and a longboard for the smallest, gentlest surf. A shortboard struggles in weak waves because it needs steepness and power to work.
What is the best surfboard for an improving surfer? A mid length is often the best choice for improvers. It catches plenty of waves, works in many conditions, and flatters your surfing while you build skill, unlike a shortboard which can hold you back if you are not ready for it.
Should a beginner ride a shortboard? Generally no. Beginners are far better served by a longboard or a large, high volume board that catches waves easily and is stable to stand on. A shortboard is difficult until paddling and wave reading are well developed.
Can very good surfers ride a fish? Yes. Many skilled surfers ride a fish on average days because it is simply more fun in the waves most people actually get. It is not only a beginner board.
How do I choose the right board for me? Start with the waves you surf most, your honest ability, and how often you get in the water. Those three answers point to the right family. From there, a board finder or a conversation with a shaper narrows it to the right board.