Shortboard
A shortboard asks for 36 to 44 per cent of body weight in litres at advanced level and 28 to 35 at expert: around 32 and 25 litres at 176 lb (80 kg). At 5'9" of height the size is 5'11".
Length5'6"–7'0"
Width27 %
Thickness1¾"–2⅞"
Fill0.55
It is the board everyone wants and the one fewest people need. It works because it carries just enough volume for you to sink a rail and change direction off the back foot, and that same tight volume is what makes it useless on a weak day.
If you are coming off a hybrid and want to drop litres, do it two at a time and within the same season. Dropping five at once feels like starting over.
| weight | vol | length | width | thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 132 lb | 24 L | 6'0" | 18¾" | 2" |
| 154 lb | 28 L | 6'0" | 18¾" | 2¼" |
| 176 lb | 32 L | 6'0" | 18¾" | 2⅝" |
| 198 lb | 36 L | 6'0" | 19¼" | 2⅞" |
| 220 lb | 40 L | 6'4" | 20⅛" | 2⅞" |
Who it is for
Anyone linking turns in most conditions and surfing often. Level matters far more than age or fitness.
Who it is not for
Most of the people who buy one. If you are not making at least half the waves you paddle for, a smaller board will not fix it.
Which waves
Walled, steep waves from two to six feet.