A Quick Guide to Surfboard Tail Shapes
Cover image: @tokorosurfboards / instagram
Surfboard tail shapes come in all shapes and size and are a large factor in the performance of your ride. As the portion that connects the weight of a surfer to the face of a wave, it determines maneuverability, speed, and control. Here is a quick guide to the basic tail shapes and how they change your ride.
Basic Overview
Shapers will manipulate a tail shape to adhere to the goals a surfer wants to achieve and the types of waves they'll be riding. In general, rounder tail shapes allow for smoother, more round turns and increased maneuverability, while more angular shapes give more speed and stability to the rider.
Square and Squash Tails
The square tail was one of the first tail shapes and is easily recognizable for a chopped-looking, straight back. This shape has more volume in the back of the board, offering more surface area to improve stability and better performance in small surf. This shape is great for sharper, more pivotal turns and is often found on longboards. It works well for getting by smaller and weaker sections of waves.
The squash is a rounder variation of the square. It angles down with rounded, squared corners but is still perpendicular at the end. They are one of the most common shapes for shortboards, as they offer more maneuverability while maintaining stability and speed.
Round Tails
Round tail shapes are longer than square tails, reaching farther into the wave and allowing for smoother, more drawn-out turns done in small or large surf. These shapes feel looser than more angular-shaped tails, and with the additional maneuverability comes less stability and hold. Round tails are very versatile and are found in all kinds of board shapes and sizes.
Pin Tail
Pin tail shapes are most commonly found on narrower boards and look like an elongated, pointier version of your typical round tail shape. They offer better stability and speed while going straight down a wave and are usually found on boards designed for large waves, like guns or bigger step-ups. With this added hold comes less maneuverability, however, most big wave surfers aren’t usually concerned with sharp turns while charging a 15 ft + face.
Swallow or Fish Tail
This swallowtail shape is identified by the v shape cut out from the tail. It has two points of contact on the wave rather than one, think two pin tails sticking into the wave face. This shape is highly maneuverable, even in small weak surf. Fish boards feature this shape and are a must-have part of your quiver for smaller mushier days where you need a bit more of that extra push and speed.
Asymmetrical Tail
This uncommon, yet still worth mentioning tail shape is defined by... you guessed it, an asymmetrical look. It comes from the idea that surfers turn very differently on their front side versus their backside. This shape typically has a more round tail for heel-side turns and a sharper tail for toe-side turns. This combination gives more stability to the backside turns and allows for more maneuverability on the front side.
Want to learn more about how tail shape impacts your ride? Check out this video for a more in-depth analysis.
Surfing Explained: Ep7 Tail Outline Shape
Now that you know the basics about surfboard tail shapes, it's time to put that new understanding into action. Check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for more insight on how your fins impact your surfing.
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