In small, soft waves, look for a board that makes catching waves easier and maintains its speed: a longboard, a forgiving funboard or certain fish and hybrids, depending on your ability. For a beginner, a large softboard suited to your build is generally more useful than a short fish. For an experienced surfer, a compact shape designed specifically for small surf can offer greater manoeuvrability.
Height alone is not enough to choose a board, though. A small wave that peels gently and a short wave that steepens quickly do not call for the same equipment. Here is how to compare boards for the conditions you actually surf.
Small waves: should you look at size or power?
Watch what the wave does: does it allow a gradual takeoff, offer an open face, or break quickly near the shore? Two waves of similar height can make for very different sessions. Swell period, the seabed, the tide and the wind all contribute to the conditions, but no single number can tell you which shape to choose.
Small soft waves mainly call for glide
When the face is gentle and the wave has little push, the challenge is often catching it and then maintaining speed between sections. Enough length for paddling, sufficient planing area and a suitable rocker can help. Rocker is the board’s lengthwise curve; a narrow design with lots of curve intended for powerful waves can demand more energy in these conditions.
Small hollow waves need control too
A wave face that steepens quickly can demand a precise take-off, even if the wave is small. The ability to position the board, hold the face and handle the drop becomes important. Automatically choosing the widest, flattest model can then lead to the wrong compromise.
Small waves do not mean no risk: shorebreak or shallow water can be unsuitable for learning. Choosing the right spot and conditions comes before choosing a board.
Longboard, funboard or fish: which should you choose for small surf?
| Your needs | Board type to compare | Desired benefit | Limitation to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learn and catch more waves in mellow surf | Beginner softboard suited to your weight | Stability and time to stand up | A small, technical softboard serves a different purpose |
| Catch waves early and focus on glide | Longboard suited to mellow waves | Paddling, momentum and long lines | Bulk, inertia and control if the wave steepens quickly |
| Keep a versatile, accessible board | Funboard or midlength with a forgiving design | A balance of wave entry, glide and turns | Not all midlengths are designed for weak waves |
| Maintain speed with a compact shape | Fish or hybrid for small waves | Planing area and responsiveness for independent surfers | Wave entry and positioning can still be more demanding than on a larger board |
| Develop a dynamic surfing style in small, rideable waves | Small wave shortboard, known as a groveler | Manoeuvrability with a shape designed for less powerful waves | Requires the technique to position yourself and make the most of the wave face |
The longboard for easier wave entry and glide
On a mellow, peeling wave, a longboard can help you catch waves early and maintain momentum. It also suits a particular surfing style: flowing turns, footwork or noseriding, depending on the model’s intended use. Choosing between a performance longboard and a model designed for traditional riding is not just about length.
Compare longboards with your ability to control them and the shape of the waves in mind. Their appeal goes well beyond beginner surfing.
The funboard for keeping things versatile
If you want a board that works in a range of conditions without sacrificing too much comfort, a funboard can be a good compromise. You can work on your lines while keeping enough paddling ease for occasional sessions or a skill level that is still developing.
Among funboards and versatile shapes, check the recommended skill level and wave conditions. “Midlength” covers a broad category: a thin, narrow model can demand far more precision than a fuller shape.
The fish for independent surfers
Some fish boards combine width, moderate rocker and planing area to maintain speed through weaker sections. The compact size can suit surfers who already catch their own waves and want a more responsive feel.
The word fish doesn't guarantee an easy ride or a board designed exclusively for small, mushy waves. Rails, tail and fins all affect how it handles. Compare fish boards based on their intended use rather than choosing solely for a swallowtail or twin setup.
The groveler for keeping your surfing lively
A groveler is a shortboard designed for small conditions: depending on the model, a fuller outline and less pronounced rocker than those of a shortboard for powerful waves can help build speed. The term has no universally defined dimensions.
This type of board can suit experienced surfers who want to pull turns in small waves. It won't turn a wave with no usable face into an ideal playground, and it won't automatically replace a larger board for catching waves. In the shortboards collection, focus on models specifically designed for these conditions.
Which features help maintain speed?
Rocker and outline need to work together
Moderate rocker can help a board glide in weaker waves. A fuller outline increases the available surface area, but how it's distributed matters: width under the chest, in the middle and at the tail each serve different purposes. A wide tail can provide lift and require more pressure to engage in a turn.
It's not about always going for maximum width or minimum rocker. In a small, fast wave, control and the ability to fit the wave's curve may call for a different balance.
If you're looking to surf significantly more powerful waves, discover the differences between shortboards, step-ups and guns to compare the types of surfing they suit.
Length and volume meet different needs
Volume contributes to buoyancy, while length, width and shape influence balance and glide. Adding litres to a compact shape doesn't automatically give it the wave-catching ability of a longer board. Two boards with the same volume can therefore suit different surfers.
If you're struggling to catch waves, first look at your takeoff and paddling. If you get into waves easily but lose speed on the face, also check your line and how well your board's shape suits the sections you're surfing.
HawaiiSurf's tipChoose for the waves you surf most often. If your spot mainly offers mellow shoulders, allow for some extra glide. If small days bring fast, short faces, consider control before looking for even more width.
Which board should you choose for your skill level and build?
When starting out, focus on repeating take-offs in suitable conditions. A long, stable softboard sized for your weight generally gives you more time than a compact board. A soft top describes the construction: check the intended use of each model in our selection of softboards.
At an intermediate level, consistent take-offs remain key. If yours are still shaky, a forgiving funboard can offer more opportunities to practice than a fish that is too short. If your take-offs and lines are reliable, compare compact options based on the ride you are looking for.
If you have a heavier build or surf infrequently, give yourself some extra ease of use: length, width and the recommended weight range should all be considered together. There is no single ideal volume for an 80 or 90 kg surfer in small waves. Use the manufacturer's recommendations and your current equipment as reference points.
Our guide to choosing the right surfboard size helps you understand dimensions in more depth without basing your decision on volume alone.
Epoxy, polyester and fins: what should you prioritize?
A lightweight board can feel lively, but resin alone does not determine performance in small surf. The core, glassing, weight and flex all contribute to how it rides. Choose a shape suited to your intended use before comparing constructions; our epoxy or polyester surfboards comparison explains these differences.
For fins, start with the recommended setup for the model and a size suited to your build. Twin, thruster and quad setups can all be found on small-wave boards, each with different riding characteristics. Switching to a quad or downsizing your fins does not guarantee more speed: the result depends on the overall setup and how you apply pressure.
What mistakes should you avoid in weak waves?
- Choosing a small board because the waves are small. A lack of power may actually call for more glide and easier take-offs.
- Simply adding volume to an unsuitable shape. Litres alone will not fix a rocker or intended use that is poorly matched to your sessions.
- Confusing a fish with a beginner board. The width of a compact model does not replace all the reassuring features of a large softboard.
- Expecting gear to fix positioning. Taking off too late or choosing a line far from the power zone can cost you speed on a range of boards.
- Choosing for a rare session. A board designed for small, clean waves may be of limited use if your everyday conditions are very different.
How do you choose between two models and put together your kit?
Describe your situation clearly: “I catch waves on my own, mostly surf small, soft shoulders and want to maintain speed without sacrificing easy take-offs.” You can then compare the intended use, size, volume of the chosen variant and planned setup.
Testing a board in conditions similar to your usual sessions helps you assess paddling, how many waves you catch and control through turns. If your goal is to identify a limitation of your current gear, check out which surfboard to choose to improve.
Board sports specialists since 1976, HawaiiSurf helps you compare surfboards suited to your build, your skills and the waves you surf most often.
Plan for fins too if they are not included, a leash and protection during transport. With surf packages, get −10% on a fin set when you buy a board and compatible fins, excluding products already discounted. Check the fin box system and recommended setup to put together a well-matched kit.
