shortboarding

Shortboarding is a surfing style that prioritizes speed, agility, and high-performance maneuvers on boards shorter than traditional longboards. Shortboards generally range from five and a half to seven feet in length and are narrower, thinner, and with more rocker than longboards. The design aims to generate speed quickly and allow dynamic turns on a variety of wave faces, especially where quick reactions are possible.

Construction and setup: Modern shortboards typically have foam cores fiberglassed with layers of fiberglass and resin, or epoxy composites. They commonly feature bottoms with several concave sections and pronounced rocker. Fin configurations usually use a thruster (three fins), though quads and other arrangements are used for different drive and stability. Fin placement and board volume influence paddling, planing, and release from turns.

Technique: Shortboarding relies on rapid paddling and a quick, steep takeoff, followed by aggressive bottom turns and extended, high-speed top turns. Surfers aim to maintain planing momentum, generate vertical bursts, and often perform aerial maneuvers. The approach requires accuracy, timing, and wave selection, and performance is influenced by board shape, fins, and wave conditions.

History and evolution: The shortboard era began in the 1960s and 1970s as surfers sought more responsive boards for steeper, faster waves. A pivotal development was the thruster configuration popularized in the early 1980s, increasing stability and drive. Over time, shortboards diversified into high-performance shapes, hybrids, and various materials, remaining central to competitive surfing.

Contemporary use: Shortboards remain the dominant choice for professional competition and many recreational surfers, with boards tailored to weight, skill, and local conditions. Some surfers favor smaller boards for fast, weak-surfing days, while others choose larger or more forgiving shapes for learning and progression.