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Tail Shape

Tail shapes have many different purposes. More tail shapes have been added in recent years as surfing has evolved. We have listed the main features of tail shapes below. Basically an angled tail will give a sharper turn where as a rounded tail will make more elliptical turns.

Pin Tail
Pin tails are generally used on XL shortboard (mini Gun) and Gun surfboards. These are a perfect down the line tail shape for these styles of surfboards. They should track in one direction for optimum speed. They are for freight train fast waves of medium to large size.

Round Pin Tail
Round pin tails are generally used on shortboards, XL shortboards, Funboards and Longboards. These also have characteristics of a Pin tail but a lot looser but with a smoother turning ability. Pin tails are excellent for larger and more powerful waves. They have the ability to pull out of the wave when you need to. Pin tails have less surface area and allow the tail to burry into the face of the wave. This allows the surfboard to be more stable. Pintails are less maneuverable however they are made for large waves and you don’t really want to be making any sudden movements on these waves.

Squash Tail
Squash tails are generally used on shortboards, XL shortboards, Funboards and Longboards. Squash tails are the most common on shortboards. The squash tail is highly responsive and excellent for maintaining speed in slow sections of the waves. The roundness allows the surfboard to dig into the wave and give more control.

Round Square Tail
Round Square tails are generally used on shortboards, XL shortboards, Fish surfboards, Funboards and Longboards.

Square Tail
Square tails are generally used on shortboards and XL shortboards. The round square tail gives more surface area at the back of the surfboard. This allows more tail area to turn. Large square tails are excellent in small waves and also for the larger surfer.

Swallow Tail
Swallow tails are generally used on shortboards, XL shortboards and Fish. The swallow tail is excellent for maintaining control in sharp turns because of the larger planning surface.

Fish Tail
Fish tails are generally used on shortboards, XL shortboards and Fish. Fish tails are excellent for small and less powerful waves.