Surfboards began as massive wooden planks that most of today's wave-riders wouldn't even be able to carry to the shore due to their considerable weight. Like anything else, though, the surfboard would evolve over time. Boards became lighter and more manageable, but the longboard remained the only option for riding waves for many years.
However, the late-1960s brought about an era known as the "shortboard revolution," a phase that lasted just a few years but saw the average surfboard length decrease by a whopping three feet. The shortboard allowed for greater maneuverability and the chance to do new things on a wave. Barrel-riding would explode in the 1970s, as it was now much more achievable thanks to the shortboard.
Not everyone was enamored by the shortboard revolution, though, and the debate between shortboarders and longboarders rages on to this day. It really comes down to personal preference when choosing between a longboard and a shortboard. No two people have the same surfing style, and style definitely comes into play when choosing your stick.
Some people like to surf small waves and work on their nose-riding, and it's the longboard that suits them best. The longboard allows for easy wave-catching and paddling, and its lengthy deck allows for the cross-stepping dance that has become the hallmark of this kind of surfboard.
Shortboards allow for a more aggressive approach, as these surfers look to attack the lip and throw spray toward the sky with every turn. Speed and maneuverability are the names of the game here, and shortboards are the vessel for the high-performance realm of the sport.
The debate is sure to continue as long as people ride waves. When choosing your craft, make sure to take stock of what you enjoy and what you want to experience in your pursuit of surfing. Then you'll know what camp you reside in.
If you need help figuring out if you're destined to be a longboarder or a shortboarder, contact us.
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