Fins are the extrusions on the bottom of the board. They vary in size and composition and there is a wide range available for surfers to choose from, each type having its own benefits and properties when concerned with the handling of a surfboard. In the older days of surfing there was only one type of fin available, the fixed fin. In this situation fins were set with resin when the board was glassed. Now days technology has allowed for fin development, subsequently we now see the use of Clip in Fins.

The Deck is the top of the surfboard. This is the part where the rider lays down to paddle, stands to surf and also sits while waiting for waves. Due to the amount of stress the deck undergoes, it is built with an extra layer of fibre glass.

The weight of a rider as he or she moves along the wave bouncing, bumping around and performing manoeuvre's can snap a board from impacts if the right amount of deck strength for the rider is not engineered. The deck is often covered in designs and images to suite a surfers aesthetic appeal.

Rails are a important concept in board design. This is the place where the Deck and bottom of the board meet. This part of the board is crucial in determining how the board reacts when in motion, how it sits on the water and how the board reacts when turning. The rails act as a track for the rider and work together with the fins. The difference in someone falling off in a particular situation can be entirely weighted on the rail design and waves the board is used in.

There is an inordinate amount of surfboard tail shapes to choose from these days. Each individual surfer has his or hers own preference on what feels best. Different surfing styles, different surfing conditions and different wave types all effect a surfers choice in the tail style for the riders board. It can be overwhelming if you are new to surfing, so I will outline the basic shapes and some information on each one.

Pintail

Nose Guards