Editing Surfboard (section)

==Board types and variations==
===Shortboard===
Since the late 1960s when Gordon Clark found the optimum formulation of urethane foam, many of the surfboards in common use have been of the shortboard variety between {{convert|6|and|7|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} in length with a pointed nose and a rounded or squarish tail, typically with three "skegs" (fins) but sometimes with two or as many as five. Surfers generally find a shortboard quick to maneuver compared with other types of surfboards, but because of a lack of flotation due to the smaller size, the shortboard is harder to catch waves with, often requiring steeper, larger and more powerful waves and very late takeoffs, where the surfer catches the wave at the critical moment before it breaks.

A ''Bonzer'' is a surfboard designed by the Campbell Brothers that can have three or five fins and is punctuated with a large center fin and 2-4 smaller side fins(side bites). This, combined with deep double concave channels creates a distinctive board. The manufacturer has shown that these channels create versatile and controlled characteristics using the [[venturi effect]] which guides the water off of the surface of the board through a narrowed passage.<ref>{{cite news|author=John Wythe White|url=http://honoluluweekly.com/archives/coverstory%201999/6-16-99%20Boards/6-16-99%20Boards.html|title=Surf Wars|newspaper=[[Honolulu Weekly]]|access-date=2008-11-08}}</ref>

====Hybrid====
Modern hybrid boards are usually {{convert|6|to|8.5|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} in length with a more rounded profile and tail shape. Hybrid boards are usually used in smaller waves and can have any fin set up. They are more about having fun than high performance or tricks. They can be easier to ride for beginning surfers and generally perform well in surfing conditions where the more traditional long and short boards might not.<ref>{{Cite web|author=John Dang|url=http://www.surfscience.com/topics/surfboard-design/|title=Surfboard Design|website=surfscience.com|access-date=2010-03-10}}</ref>
[[Image:Riley-fish-Marlin2.jpg|right|thumb| Balsa Fish.]]

====Fish====
Usually a short stubby board under {{convert|6|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} in length developed from kneeboards in 1967 by Steve Lis. Other prominent fish shapers include [[Skip Frye]], Larry Mabile and Steve Brom. Primarily a twin fin set up with a swallow tail shape and popular in smaller waves, the fish enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s after legendary surfer [[Tom Curren]] rode one during an ASP event at [[Hossegor]]. Note, any type of board (such as shortboard or mini-longboard) can have a fish tail, and these are commonly referred to as a "fish", but they lack the other properties of a traditional, or "retro" fish as described here.

==== Mid length ====
A mid length surfboard is generally 177cm to 200cm (7' to 8') in length with a slightly more performance-focused shape than the similar-sized normal board. Narrow outline & thruster-fin set-up make it a close companion in size and performance to a round-outline single-fin mini mal. Mid length surfboards excel good in both small and weak & large mushy waves by light and heavy surfers. A mid length is one of the most versatile 'all-around' boards for fun and performance.

====Funboard====
The funboard combines elements of both shortboards and longboards and are generally midsized, usually have a length of {{convert|210|to|240|cm|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=1}}, thickness of {{convert|6|to|8|cm|in|abbr=on|round=0.5}} and width of {{convert|53|to|56|cm|in|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}.<ref>[https://www.thoughtco.com/best-beginner-surfboard-is-the-funboard-3154811 The Best Beginner Surfboard is the FunBoard]</ref> The funboard's design allows waves to be caught more easily than a shortboard, yet with a shape that makes it more maneuverable than a longboard; hence it is a popular type of surfboard, especially among beginners or those transitioning from longboarding to the more difficult shortboarding. It is considered a good combination of the speed of a longboard and the maneuverability of a shortboard.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Surfin'ary: A Dictionary of Surfing Terms and Surfspeak|author=Trevor Cralle|year=2001|publisher=Ten Speed Press|isbn=1-58008-193-2|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/surfinarydiction0000cral}}</ref>

====Gun====
Big wave boards of length {{convert|7|to|12|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} are considered ''guns''. These have a thin, almost needle-like profile with single, quad, or thruster fin set up. It has the appearance of a shortboard but at a longboard size. Guns are often used at big wave locations such as [[Waimea Bay]], Jaws (Hawaii), and [[Mavericks (location)|Mavericks]].

===Longboard===
[[Image:Elevenfootersmall.jpg|thumb|upright|A {{cvt|335|cm|ft|sigfig=2}} longboard.]]
[[File:Duke Kahanamoku 1920.jpg|thumb|upright|'''[[Duke Kahanamoku]]''' and longboard, 1920]]
[[Image:Riley-longboard-classic2.jpg|right|thumb| Balsa Longboard.]]
The longboard is primarily a single-finned surfboard with large rounded nose and length of {{convert|9|to|12|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}. [[Nose ride|Noseriders]] are a class of longboards that enable the rider to walk to the tip and [[nose ride]]. These are also called "Mals", a shortened form of "Malibu boards".  They range from {{convert|9|to|14|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} long, or {{convert|3|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} taller than the rider in overall length. The advantage of a longboard is its substantial buoyancy and planing surface enable surfers to ride waves generally deemed too small to propel a shortboard. Longboards are more suitable for beginners because of the board's size and ease of catching waves. In the proper conditions, a skilled surfer can ride a wave standing on the nose of a longboard with their toes over the nose's edge: in this way, with the "toes on the nose", the surfer can "hang ten". Compared to the shortboards, longboards are considerably easier to learn on as they are capable of achieving stability, thus making the transition quite difficult.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.disruptsurfing.com/transitioning-from-a-longboard-to-a-shortboard/|title = Transitioning From a Longboard to a Shortboard}}</ref>

====Classic longboards====
Longboards are the original and very first variety of board used in standup surfing. Ever since the sixth-century [[Common Era|CE]] the [[ancient Hawaii]]ans have used {{convert|9|to|30|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} solid wooden boards when practicing their ancient art of [[Hoe he'e nalu]]. Surfing was brought to the Hawaiian Islands by Polynesians and has since become popular worldwide. The ancient boards were carved and fashioned out of solid wood, reaching lengths of {{convert|10|to|14|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} long and weighing as much as 70&nbsp;kg. Both men and women, royalty and commoners surfed. But the longest of boards (the Olo) was reserved for royalty.<ref>Legendary Surfers Volume 1 by Malcolm Gualt-Williams</ref> During the 19th century, some extreme western missionaries actively discouraged surfing, viewing it as sinful. Surfing almost died out completely.{{Citation needed|date=April 2017}} In recent times replicas have been made of Olo's and alaia's by experienced surfers and shapers wishing to explore the roots of the sport.

By the early 20th century, only a handful of people surfed, mostly at Waikiki. But there, it started to grow again. Beginning in 1912, [[Duke Kahanamoku]], a Hawaiian Olympic swimmer in the early 1900s, brought surfing to mainland [[United States]] and [[Australia]]. Because of this, Duke is considered the "Father of Modern Surfing". From that point on, surfing became an integral part of the [[California]] beach lifestyle. In [[Malibu, California|Malibu]] (in [[Los Angeles]] county), the beach was so popular amongst the early surfers that it lent its name to the type of longboard, the Malibu Surfboard. In the 1920s boards made of [[plywood]] or planking called Hollowboards came into use. These were typically {{convert|15|to|20|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} in length and very light. During the 1950s, the surf trend took off dramatically as it obtained a substantial amount of popularity as a sport.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blackmagic.com/ses/surf/papers/boardessy.html|title=The Evolution of the Surfboard|author=Sonnen Sloan|website=blackmagic.com|access-date=2008-11-04}}</ref> The design and material of longboards in the 1950s changed from using solid wood to [[balsa]] wood. The length of the boards still remained the same at an average of {{convert|10.5|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}, and had then become widely produced.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Dave Parmenter|url=http://surfline.com/surfaz/surfaz.cfm?id=850|title=Longboards - Surfing A to Z|website=surfline.com|access-date=2008-11-05}}</ref> It was not until the late 1950s and early 1960s when the surfboard design had closely evolved into today's modern longboard. The introduction of [[polyurethane]] foam and [[fiberglass]] became the technological leap in design. In the 1960s, the longboard continued to remain popular as its material changed from balsa wood to fiberglass and polyurethane foam. 

In the 1960s, the introduction of the shortboard, averaging {{convert|6|ft|6|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}, allowed surfers to make tighter turns, quicker maneuvers, and achieve faster speeds, thus radically changing the way people surfed. This "shortboard revolution" nearly made longboards obsolete for all practical purposes. But in the early 1990s, the longboard returned, integrating a number of the design features invented during the shortboard revolution. Surfers rediscovered the grace and poise – the "glide" – of the longboard, and the fun of classic maneuvers that are not possible on a shortboard. In some circles, the battle between longboards and shortboards continues. But many surfers live by a philosophy of finding the joy of surfing a mix of boards and surfing styles to suit the waves of the day.

====Modern longboards====
The modern longboard has undergone many changes since its earlier models in the past. Today's longboard is much lighter than its predecessors. Its polyurethane foam and fiberglass design allows less drag on waves. Today's longboards are typically {{convert|8|to|10|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} long, although some ride boards up to {{convert|12|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} in length. Additionally, there is a revival of stand-up paddle-based surfing with boards up to {{convert|14|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} in length (for stability). The classic single-fin longboard retains much of its classic design including a single fin, weight, and considerable buoyancy.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.surfline.com/mag/features/anatomy/anatomy_flash.html|title=Surfline.com|website=www.surfline.com|access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref> A longboard with a single fin allows the board to pivot turn in order to remain in the curl of the wave. Due to recent advances in technology, the longboard has expanded its family into different variations of the classic longboard.

====The 2+1====
The 2+1 longboard is the most versatile board of the longboard family, offering greater maneuverability. Sometimes referred as a "single-fin with training wheels", the 2+1's fins actually takes the features of the classic longboard and the Tri-fin. The fins of the 2+1 take the rigid stability of a classic longboard, and fuses with the strength and drive of a Tri-fin.<ref name="autogenerated1" />

====Mini Tanker====
The mini tanker is basically a shortened longboard shape that utilizes the same longboard design elements and enhanced maneuverability due to the shorter shape. These boards are normally ridden by those wanting the feel of a longboard with the increased agility of a short board .<ref>{{Cite web|author=Kent Senatore|url=http://www.surfboardshack.com/board_design.html|title=Surfboard Design|website=surfboardshack.com|access-date=2009-05-17}}</ref>

====The Malibu====
Named after [[Malibu, California]], this racy longboard shape is a little narrower than most, with slightly pulled in nose and tail sections for extra maneuverability on Malibu's famous right hand point breaks. This classic shape has been ridden and praised by experienced surfers for its maneuverability and performance. Classic tricks that can be performed on a Malibu are "Hang Fives" and "Hang tens" whereby the surfer walks to the nose of the board and hangs 5 or 10 toes over the nose, the "soul arch", drop knee turns, head dips, switch stance maneuvers, and so on.

====Olo====
{{Main page|Olo board}}

Originally reserved for Hawaiian royalty due to its size and weight, these wooden boards can exceed lengths of {{convert|24|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} and reach weights up to 90&nbsp;kg.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Surfboard|url=https://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/patc/surfboard/|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]|access-date=2008-11-08}}</ref>

====Alaia====
{{Main|Alaia}}
A traditional finless wooden surfboard, typically ridden by ancient native Hawaiians, not of royal descent. The surfboard typically runs {{convert|17|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} 90&nbsp;kg.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=thecardiffkook|url=http://thecardiffkook.info/mark-twain-and-jack-london-americas-first-surfers/ |title=The Cardiff Kook - America's First Surfers}}</ref>

However modern day Alaias can be much thinner. Many are a mere {{convert|3/4|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=1}} thick, and can be as short as {{convert|6|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}. Common woods used in current construction are paulownia, cedar, and other woods suitable for salty ocean waters. The tails come in different styles. The boards are notoriously difficult to ride.

====Tandem====
The first stand up surfboard ridden in Australia by [[Duke Kahanamoku]] and [[Isabel Letham]] is an oversized longboard with enough buoyancy to support two people, [[tandem surfing]].