When looking at different surfboards to add to your quiver collection the first question you should ask yourself is, "Do I have a fish?" This is a staple surfboard that every rider should own.
A Fish is a shape and design of a surfboard that has a distinguished swallow tail and up until recently, a twin fin setup that was most likely a glassed in option. Fish surfboards are commonly shorter than your typical boards, but are wider and thicker to compensate the ability to catch waves easily without the length, but rather the volume. This style of a surfboard was invented in San Diego in the early 1970's.
You can see guys catching waves and riding minute long lines on Fish surfboards in 2-3 foot swell. Their volume allows for buoyancy which helps in getting into the pocket of even the smallest waves coming your way!
If your Fish surfboard has the twin fin setup; you will notice the difference in maneuverability and handling compared to your common thruster setup. The notorious "Keel" fins are a wider fin design that allows for more fin to cut through the water, but will not be as responsive and quick as your thruster fin setup as they have more facing surface to hold into the water.
I personally own a 5'8 Eco-Friendly SOLID Surfboard shaped from the guys down in San Diego. This board is my choice on days when the waves are slow rolling at 2-4 feet with the piece of mind that I will be able to get consistent rides. If you want a more mellow session with long smooth rides cutting your slow clean lines into the wave then a Fish surfboard is a board to consider. If you are looking for more aggressive turning, slashing and comp style riding then be sure to grab your shortboard with a thruster setup to really throw out those back sprays.
At the end of the day you can't go wrong with a Fish surfboard in your collection. To some,
these boards are more of a status of your style and ride that embody the cruise slow and steady dynamic that transitions from surfing into water to your everyday life on land.
