Longboard

Noserider Surfboard Design

noserider surfboard features

As you may have guessed by now, not all longboards are made for the noseride. Different surfboards have different ideal conditions and different performance advantages, so this is expected. In the past, most longboards coming out of shaping bays were made for noseriding, but many of today’s shapes have borrowed from the shortboard. SurfScience explains what to look for when considering how well your next longboard will noseride.

 

Bottom Contour

 

The bottom of a noseriding longboard offers a stark contrast to the modern high performance shortboard. Today’s shortboards have concave bottoms for speed, while a surfboard made for noseriding will have a rounded bottom.  According to Brock Jones, of Bruce Jones Surfboards, this bottom shape slows the surfboard down and aids in holding the rider in the perfect spot on the wave.

 

Wide Tail

 

When we spoke with Jones he enlightened us on the importance of positioning in a wave for noseriding and which design characteristics would help a surfer stay in that perfect position. He mentioned that it’s important to have a big heavy single fin and wide tail to create drag. Jones reminded us that a fast board will outrun the sweet spot we need for a good noseride. Continuing with his thoughts on tails, he said most Bruce Jones noseriding boards will come with either a wide square tail or a rounded pin, which are also easier to control while riding near the front of the board.

                    

Wide Nose

 

When assessing the best nose design you again want to think about slowing down the surfboard. It needs to stay in the pocket. A big flat nose at least 18 inches wide will provide a very stable platform for your feet, while also creating a lot of drag in the wave face. One of the most important features of any good noseriding board is a concave bottom under the nose. This concave will provide lift for the rider. A deeper concave will result in more lift, enhancing noserides but limiting trimming speed. This is a dynamite combination.

 

Soft Rails

 

Most noseriding longboards also utilize softer rails. Hard rails allow water to make a clean break from the surfboard, helping to create speed and looseness. Soft rails, on the other hand, hold onto the face of a wave quite well as water tends to bend around their curves. Again, this slows the board down but provides a more stable ride.  

 

As you look for your next longboard remember that not all were shaped to noseride. The surfboard design features mentioned above will offer you longer periods of time with your toes on the nose and a more stable ride. Sure, you can noseride any longboard, but when a surfboard is made for the stylish noseride it will feel like a dream.


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