Sizing a surfboard
Length is the least useful number on a surfboard. Volume is the one that matters, because it tells you how much of you the board will float. As a rough guide, take your body weight in kilograms and multiply it by a factor based on how often you surf:
| Ability | Volume factor | 75 kg rider |
|---|---|---|
| First season | 0.85 – 1.00 | 64 – 75 L |
| Improver | 0.60 – 0.72 | 45 – 54 L |
| Intermediate | 0.42 – 0.50 | 32 – 38 L |
| Advanced | 0.34 – 0.40 | 26 – 30 L |
Adjust upwards if your local break is soft and slow, or if you surf fewer than twenty times a year. Adjust downwards for powerful reef and a high wave count. Age and fitness move the number more than height does.
Sizing a wetsuit
A wetsuit should feel slightly too tight on land. It will relax by roughly five per cent in the water. Check three things in the changing room: no loose pockets behind the knees, no gap in the small of the back when you bend forward, and no pull on the shoulders when you mime a paddle stroke.
If you are between sizes and paddle a lot, take the smaller one. If you are between sizes and mostly sit in the lineup talking, take the larger one and accept a slightly cooler session.
Thickness against temperature
| Sea temperature | Suit | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| 4 – 11 °C | 5/4 hooded | 5 mm boots, 5 mm gloves |
| 10 – 16 °C | 4/3 chest zip | 3 mm boots on dawn sessions |
| 15 – 22 °C | 3/2 spring suit | Nothing |
Leash length
Match the leash to the board, not the rider: a 6 ft leash for boards up to 6’6″, 7 ft to 7’6″, 9 ft for a longboard. Go one size longer for heavy reef, where a shorter leash will pull the board back into you.
Still not sure?
Call the workshop. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone than take a return.