How Much Does a Surfboard Weigh? A Comprehensive Guide!
The weight of a surfboard can vary quite a bit depending on the size, construction materials, and other factors. But, How Much Does a Surfboard Weigh?
The typical weight of a surfboard ranges from 4 to 15 pounds depending on the size, construction materials, and type of board. Most common shortboards weigh between 5 and 7 pounds. Longboards are heavier, averaging between 7 and 15 pounds.
Here’s a more detailed look at what impacts surfboard weight and the typical weights of different types of surfboards. We also discussed about maintaining tips and procedure to choose surfboard with proper weight.
What Impacts the Weight of a Surfboard?
There are several key factors that influence how much a surfboard weighs:
Size of the Board
Not surprisingly, the larger the surfboard, the more it is going to weigh. A shortboard under 6 feet is generally pretty light.
But once you get up to the 9-10 foot range of a longboard, the weight increases substantially. Bigger boards use more foam and fiberglass resulting in increased weight.
Construction Materials
The materials used to make the surfboard impact the weight significantly. Traditional polyurethane foam and fiberglass boards are lighter than those made out of wood or other materials.
The density of the foam and layers of fiberglass cloth can also vary the weight.
Additional Features
Extras like multiple fins, special deck grip pads, leash plugs, and other accessories will incrementally add weight beyond the deck and foam itself. Simple stripped down boards weigh less than ones loaded with features.
Board Thickness
Thicker boards with more volume naturally require more materials, so they tend to be heavier than thinner, low-volume performance shortboards. Longboards and mini-mals tend to be thicker and heavier.
User Skill Level
Boards designed for beginners are often made to be more durable and stable. This translates into slightly heavier weight.
Intermediate and advanced level boards for experienced surfers instead prioritize responsiveness over durability.
Types of Surfboards and Their Weights
Here are some general weight ranges you can expect based on the most common surfboard types:
Shortboards (5’6″ to 6’6″)
- Beginner: 6 – 7 lbs
- Intermediate: 5 – 6.5 lbs
- Advanced: 4.5 – 6 lbs
The shortboard category covers everything from high-performance boards to more forgiving designs for novice riders. The longer, wider options for beginners will weigh slightly more than narrow advanced boards.
But overall, shortboard weights typically range from about 5 to 7 pounds depending on length and thickness.
Longboards (8′ and longer)
- Traditional: 7 – 15 lbs
- Performance: 7 – 10 lbs
At lengths up to 10 feet or more, longboards use much more foam and fiberglass resulting in increased weight. Traditional heavy longboards can weigh 15 pounds or more.
Newer performance longboard designs aim to reduce weight into the 7-10 pound range by using advanced materials and construction techniques.
Alternative Surfboards (wood, plastic, etc)
- Wood: 10 – 20 lbs
- Plastic: 5 – 15 lbs
Surfboards made out of wood, plastic, or other non-traditional materials have widely varying weights.
Hollow wooden boards sealed with epoxy tend to be quite heavy ranging from 15 to 20+ pounds.
Plastic boards use foam cores or inflatable bladders to reduce weight, but are generally heavier than regular polyurethane foam and fiberglass boards.
Funboards (7′ to 8’6″)
- Traditional: 8 – 12 lbs
- Modern: 6 – 10 lbs
Funboards strike a balance between shortboards and longboards in terms of size, shape, and weight.
Normal weight for traditional thicker funboard designs is about 10 pounds or more. But many modern funboards now use advanced construction techniques to get the weight down into the 6-10 pound range.
Choosing the Right Surfboard Weight
With surfboard weights varying so widely, how do you determine what weight is right for your needs? Here are some tips:
Consider your skill level
Beginners need heavier and sturdier boards. As you advance, lighter weights become preferable for increased maneuverability.
Longboards for novices can be 13-15 pounds. Intermediate shortboards optimal around 6 pounds. Advanced riders may prefer ultra-light 4 pound boards.
Factor in size and thickness
Bigger, thicker boards need more foam and fiberglass which adds weight. If choosing a longer board, expect added weight. Shorter boards can be especially light.
Think about wave size
On smaller waves, heavy longboards can be challenging to maneuver. Shortboards around 5-6 pounds ideal for small surf. Bigger waves may require thicker boards, adding needed weight for stability.
Test different weights
If possible, demo boards in different weight ranges to feel how it impacts performance. This can help dial in your ideal preferences.
Prioritize responsiveness vs stability
Lighter boards turn quicker and are more agile. Heavier boards provide stability and dampen vibration. Choose based on your priorities.
Finding the sweet spot board weight is largely personal preference based on individual factors.
Test ride a range of weights and sizes to determine what feels best for your surfing ability, technique and the types of waves you tackle.
Tips For Maintaining Your Surfboard Weight
Once you’ve dialed in your ideal surfboard weight, you’ll want to take steps to maintain it properly over time. Here are some tips:
Inspect for waterlogging
Over time, small dings or manufacturing flaws can allow water to seep into the foam. This significantly increases weight. Look for signs of waterlogging and repair any holes.
Consider re-glossing
The outer fiberglass layer protects the inner foam. As the gloss fades, water intrusion can occur leading to weight gain. Periodically re-gloss your board to maintain protection.
Check for swelling
Exposure to the sun and changing temps can cause the board foam to swell or distort over time, increasing thickness and weight. Keep your board out of direct sunlight when possible.
Repair major dings
Big dings reduce structural integrity and require excess resin for repair, which adds weight. Address major dings immediately before they grow larger.
Replace aging parts
Swapping out old heavy fins, leash plugs, deck pads and other parts for new lightweight options can incrementally reduce weight.
Talk to your shaper
For more invasive weight-saving techniques like inner foam channels, talk to your shaper. Don’t try dangerous DIY modifications yourself.
With proper care and maintenance, you can keep your surfboard from gaining excess weight over time. Handle repairs promptly, limit UV exposure, and replace aging components to maintain the ideal weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore these FAQs about surfboard weight, size, and materials. Discover how these factors influence a board’s performance and suitability for different surfing levels and styles.
How Much Does An Average Shortboard Weigh?
Most common shortboard sizes between 5’6″ and 6’6″ weigh 5 to 7 pounds. Shorter high-performance shortboards can be as light as 4.5 pounds. Longer beginner boards may reach 7 pounds.
What Impacts The Weight Of A Surfboard Most?
The size of the board and the materials used in construction have the biggest impact on weight. Larger, thicker boards require more foam and fiberglass resulting in increased weight. Wood, plastic, fiberglass, polyurethane foam, and epoxy resins all have different densities affecting the final weight.
Are Heavier Or Lighter Surfboards Better?
There is no definitive advantage to heavier or lighter surfboards across the board. Beginners may prefer a heavier, sturdier board. Experienced surfers often want lighter boards for increased maneuverability and performance. Choose weight based on your individual skill level and riding style.
How Heavy Do Longboards Get?
Traditional longboards can weigh anywhere from 7 to 15+ pounds. But many modern performance longboards utilize advanced construction to reduce weight to a range of 7 to 10 pounds. The extra size and volume of longboards require more materials which increase overall weight.
How Can You Reduce The Weight Of A Surfboard?
Using advanced lightweight materials and technologies like carbon fiber, advanced polyurethane foams, and epoxy resins can decrease weight. Also, strategic minimization of thickness and strategic hollow chambers in the board design reduces weight with only minor loss of structural integrity.
Can You Make A Surfboard Too Light?
It is possible to make an overly light surfboard lacking stability and durability. Most surfboard shapers aim for the sweet spot of the lightest possible weight while retaining sufficient structural integrity for normal use. Ultra-light boards may dent easily or lack maneuverability.
In Summary
Surfers looking to maximize performance often seek lightweight boards for increased responsiveness and maneuverability. But beginners need enough weight for stability and durability.
Carefully considering your individual skill level, type of surfboard, construction materials, and desired ride style will help determine the ideal weight range for your needs.
Most standard surfboards fall between 5 and 15 pounds, but subtle variations in design can fine tune the weight as needed.