Hybrid
A hybrid asks for 42 to 52 per cent of body weight in litres, mid-range for average waves: around 38 litres at 176 lb (80 kg), in 5'10" × 20" × 2⅞". It is the default recommendation at intermediate level.
Length5'6"–6'5"
Width28 %
Thickness2⅛"–2⅞"
Fill0.57
A hybrid is what you get by taking a shortboard outline and adding a bit of everything: width in the nose, thickness through the middle and some fish in the tail. That mix makes it the hardest board to justify on paper and the most useful in practice.
If you can only own one hard board and you surf regularly, the hybrid is probably the answer.
| weight | vol | length | width | thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 132 lb | 28 L | 5'10" | 19⅜" | 2¼" |
| 154 lb | 33 L | 5'10" | 19⅜" | 2⅝" |
| 176 lb | 38 L | 5'10" | 20" | 2⅞" |
| 198 lb | 41 L | 6'2" | 20⅝" | 2⅞" |
| 220 lb | 44 L | 6'5" | 21" | 2⅞" |
Who it is for
Anyone surfing consistently who wants one board that works on normal days without giving up turning.
Who it is not for
Anyone with strongly marked conditions. If your spot is always weak, a fish is better; if it always has a wall, a shortboard is.
Which waves
Two to five feet, with or without a wall. The average day at almost any beach.