SURFBOARDS
There are many types of surfboards and in the following sections we will briefly introduce you to them.
The softtop/foam surfboard
The softtop or foamie has become an increasingly popular choice among all levels of surfers. For the beginner, it is often the best and safest choice as this type of board is extremely forgiving and can withstand many knocks. The softtop will therefore help you to practice the pop up maneuver, which is the key to good surf experiences. At the same time, it can withstand small knocks that can occur during transport in the car or larger knocks out at sea. The softtop surfboard gives you the opportunity to focus your efforts on becoming a better surfer without having to think so much about the durability of the board. A huge advantage for many beginners!
For the more experienced surfer, the softtop surfboard can also be an excellent extension to one's board quiver. This is because, as previously mentioned, the board can withstand lots of knocking, which means that you can allow yourself to go more radical without thinking about whether the board can now also withstand it. A huge advantage when you want to develop as a surfer!
Regardless of your level, these soft tops are available in many different shapes. The beginner should look for board lengths of between 9 to 8 feet. While the experienced should choose according to taste and pleasure, but we recommend looking at the range from, among others, Softech. For the complete beginner, we can highly recommend one Vision Softtop of 9 feet . A board that can get you started with the sport at a very affordable price.
If you have a child who wants to start surfing, the soft top should also be the first choice. Since soft tops have a soft outer shell, shocks and impacts from the board will not be as painful compared to a hard polyester or epoxy board. This can be a huge advantage for both big and small.
The shortboard
The shortboard is probably the most well-known type of surfboard. But just because most people associate surfing with a shortboard does not mean that this surfboard is for everyone. On the contrary! The shortboard is for the experienced surfer who knows his skills and technical ability on the water. A shortboard will be characterized by its sharp outline and short length compared to a longboard. The shortboard is about 6 feet in length. In general, the shortboard should be used in moderate to good waves, but the more experience, the more conditions the shortboard can be used in. The shortboard offers high maneuverability and is created to perform maneuvers such as cutbacks, roundhouses and other high performance maneuvers. At Westwind, we sell quality shortboards from recognized shapers and manufacturers such as Firewire, Full & Cas, Norden and many others.
The longboard
A longboard is a popular type of surfboard that is suitable for beginners as well as experienced surfers. The longboard is typically between 9-12 feet. In addition, the longboard will offer lots of volume and thus lots of buoyancy. Being higher in the water means that the beginner has an easier time catching waves. While the experienced surfer can catch and have fun on smaller waves with the help of the longboard. The longboard will typically have round and soft edges and a good width. All together, something that provides increased stability and makes it easier for you to keep your balance on the board. As you become more experienced and comfortable with the longboard under your feet, the surfer can start experimenting with maneuvers such as "Hang ten" or "Cross stepping". Ultimately, the longboard offers a more cruising and relaxed way of surfing, which is something that appeals to many surfers. Some will also go so far as to say that the longboard will give you more real surf time, i.e. time where you surf a wave. Many experienced surfers combine longboarding and shortboarding to make the most of the Danish wave conditions.
Malibu & Mini-Malibu
The Malibu board can in many ways be compared to a longboard. The dimensions are just turned down a notch. The Malibu board is typically 8 feet, whereas the Mini Malibu board typically measures 7'6” in length. These board types could be categorized as mid length boards. As I said, this type of board takes many of the characteristics of a longboard, but due to its shorter length is more maneuverable and easier to transport to the beach. When the pop up starts sitting there every time and you have learned to catch green waves (waves that are not broken/swells) many beginners choose to invest in a malibu/mini-Malibu.
Twin Fins & Funshapes
Last but not least, we will spend some time explaining the surfboard types twin fins and fun shapes. Twin fins, twinnies or fish is a type of surfboard created for soul surfers who want to combine cruising surf with high manoeuvrability. As the name suggests, this type of surfboard is equipped with two fins, often so-called keel fins. On some models the fins are glassed on, which means they are permanently attached to the board. This gives a cool retro look and a sublime durability. Of course, there are also twin fin boards with classic fcs or futures fin boxes, where you can freely choose between several different twin fin fins. Check out our large selection of fins here.
Funshapes covers a wide range of surfboard shapes that can work both for the beginner and the experimental surfer. Funshapes are so-called hybrid boards, which take functions and characteristics from both the shortboard, the longboard and/or the twin fin board. This creates unique board shapes that provide fun and different experiences on the water.
Purchase of surfboards at Westwind
It can be difficult to find the right surfboard, and we would be more than happy to help you in this process. That is why the staff at Westwind are always ready to guide you based on their years of experience in the surf & water sports field. We recommend always checking the stock status of the board you are looking at and turning up at one of our stores that has the board in stock. Otherwise, when you're out by the water anyway, drop by one of the shops. Get a chat with the staff, as well as guidance and answers to the questions you are burning with. Please also contact us at webshop@westwind.dk if questions should arise during your online shopping on this page.
