The best surfboard is not the smallest one you can carry. It is the board that helps you paddle comfortably, catch plenty of waves and improve while enjoying every session.Be honest about your surfingConsider how often you surf, your current fitness, ability, local crowds and the waves you normally ride. Someone surfing once or twice a month usually needs more board than a fit surfer who is in the water every day. Length, width and foam distribution can all be your friends.Reduce size in small stepsMoving directly from an eight-foot beginner board to a performance shortboard removes a huge amount of stability and paddle power. Step down by no more than about six inches at a time, allowing your technique to adapt. Well-designed midlengths, fishes and larger alternatives can deliver speed and turning ability without sacrificing wave count.Do not distort the modelAdding extreme width or thickness to a short performance outline will not transform it into an easy board; it can compromise the design. Choose a model created for the amount of foam you need, then make sensible adjustments around its stock dimensions.Tell your shaper what you want to feel and where you surf. Trust their experience to balance the final numbers—and choose fun over appearance.Adapted with permission from Rusty Surfboards USA.
