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

This is the optimal shape for surfing waves that barrel. It increases the riders ability to travel at higher speeds in bigger waves when negotiating places like Pipeline.

Rounded Pintail

This is also similar to the above. It is aimed at surfers who seek hollow waves in the medium size range

Thumbtail

This is the optimum shape for a surfer who enjoys his large carves and turns. It is stable and grips well in all surfing conditions. It is very stable compared to other tail shapes.

Square Tail

This is a tail design utilised mainly in small surf. It is not seen that often and generally you will only find it available if you seek to have a custom made board produced specifying this as your tail style choice. Its main attribute is manoeuvrability in small waves.

Squash Tail

The Squashtail is by far the most common tail shape in production. This is due to the fact the design of it is best suited to average surf. It is a stable platform for beginners through to your average boardrider. It still leaves room for advanced surfers to perform their manouvers yet still offers a very stable platform for beginner surfers.

Swallowtail

This the best choice for those who are new to surfing. It is the main style used in boards aimed at small waves, which is where learners begin their wave riding, making this the optimum choice. The board still remains sensitive for average riders and allows for easy riding in smaller surfing conditions.

Some Other Tail Styles

Bat Tail

This is a modern tail design for boards. It is best for small to overhead waves. It is very similar to the Swallowtail, the main difference being its increased level of stability.

Baby Swallowtail

This is a shape that is primarily aimed at large waves. Although it is still usable in smaller conditions the sensitivity of the pintail and the power of the square tail is combined in an effort to tail a shape for large wave riders seeking the assets held in the pintail and square tail.