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Surfboards are usually constructed using polyurethane foam. They are made stronger with one or more small pieces of wood going down the middle of the board called a stringer. The foam is molded into the rough shape of a surfboard called a blank. (Note: Recently, the largest producer of these blanks, Clark Foam announced its closure. This move drastically affected surfboard production and has become known to surfers as Blank Monday.) Once the blanks have been made they are given to shapers. Shapers then cut, plane, and sand the board to its specifications. Finally, the board is covered in one or more layers of fiberglass cloth and resin. It is during this stage that the fins, or boxes for removable fins are put on and the leash plug is installed. Another method of making boards is using epoxy resin and polystyrene foam, instead of polyester resin and polyurethane foam. In recent years, surfboards made out of balsa and a polystyrene core are becoming more popular. Even solid balsa surfboards are available. Although boards are usually shaped by hand, the use of machines to shape them has become more and more popular over the years. Modern technology has made its way into surfboard production as well. Lead by Surftech a composite surfboard company started in the early 90's, many surfers have switched to riding sandwich construction epoxy boards due to their lightness, durability and other added advantages such as waterproof cores. Hollow wooden surfboards are constructed using any type of wood and epoxy resin and are glassed with cloth such as glass, silk, cotton, polyester, dynol or kevlar. Most surfboards weigh between 5-15lb (2-7kg).
Modern hybrid boards are usually 6-8ft 6in (1.8-2.3m) in length with a more rounded profile and tail shape. Surfed in smaller waves with any fin set up. Also known as a "spedboard" as they are more about having fun than high performance or tricks. They can be easier to ride for beginning surfers and generally perform well in surfing conditions where the more traditional long and short boards might not.
Radically short stubby board under 6 ft (1.8 m) in length developed from kneeboards in the 1970s by Steve Lis. Other prominent Fish shapers include Skip Frye, Steve Brom, and Rich Pavel. Primarily a twin fin set up with a swallow tail shape and popular in smaller waves. Resurgence in popularity in early 2000s created by legendary surfer Tom Curren. Note, any type of board (such as shortboard or mini-longboard) can have a fish tail, and these are commonly referred to as a "fish", but they lack the other properties of a fish as listed here.
Big wave boards of length 7-12 ft (2.1-3.7 m). Thin, needle-like template with single or thruster fin set up. It usually looks like a shortboard but at a longboard size. Used at such big waves spots as Waimea Bay and Mavericks. Longboard Primarily single finned with large rounded nose and length of 9-12 ft (2.7-3.7 m). Noseriders are a class of longboard which enable the rider to walk to the tip and nose ride. Also called a "Mal", which is a shortened version of Malibu, one of, if not the most popular longboard wave.
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