Nose
The nose of the board is the front part, the tip of the board. The arch is there so that you can manoeuvre the board better as you ride. The nose is either rounded or pointed: on longboards and funboards, you have probably seen that the nose is rounded, while on shortboards and fishes the nose is usually more pointed. Rounder noses are good to catch waves and a pointed nose is better for performance surfing.
Stringer
This is the (typically) wooden strip in the middle of the surfboard, going from the nose to the tail. The stringer is there to strengthen the board and to control the flex.
Deck
The deck is what the top side of the surfboard is called; the side where you stand while surfing. It is on the deck you apply wax to increase grip. There are different types of decks:
●Flat deck
Just like the name reveals, this deck is flat. Usually, this deck got wider rails.
●Dome Deck
This deck has less volume at the rails and more volume in the centre, giving it a slight shape of a dome.
●Step Deck
This deck gives a similar feeling to standing on a skateboard. The deck has a platform and the rails are thinner/lower. When you’re watching the board from the rails you’ll notice that the step deck has a step on it.
Bottom
So, if we flip the board upside down, the downside of the board is simply called the bottom. This is the side of the board that will face the water (duh). Concaves, convex and flats are the main categories of surfboard bottom contours, although many boards are made of a combination. This part of the board is playing a big role in controlling how the water flows and how the board performs on it. The different kinds of bottom contours interact differently with the waves. There are different types of surfboard bottom contours, the major ones are:
●Concave Bottom
A board has a concave bottom if a part of the bottom is lifted above the rail line. A concave bottom provides the board with a lift and gets a better glide, helps you to snap your rails to the face of the wave and can give you more control. There are different concave bottoms, like a single concave or a tri-plane hull.
●Convex Bottom
If a part of the bottom is dipping below the rail line, the board has a convex bottom. These bottoms are good for stability and transitioning from rail to rail. Convex bottoms are normally found on longboards. There are different convex bottoms, like a V or a belly.
●Flat Bottom
As you may have guessed, a flat-bottomed surfboard is flat and stays the same level as the rails. This bottom will help the board with speed generation but it doesn't do much for performance.
Leash Plug
At the back of your board, next to the tail, you’ll find a leash plug. This is where you attach the leash; the leg rope that connects the board to the surfer. The leash is fastened around your ankle at one end and into the leash plug at the other. This is a safety measurement to keep the board from getting away from you after a wipeout.
Fins And Fins Plug
On the bottom side of the board, at the tail, you’ll find fin plugs. These are the plugs where you attach the fins. There are five different setups for fins: single, twin, thruster, quad fin and five fins. These come in a big variety of shapes and sizes. The fins are very important to steer the board, have a good water flow and have speed control.
Outline
The outline refers to the overall shape of the board. This can also be referred to as the template of the board.
Rocker
The rocker is the curvature from the surfboard's nose to the tail. The rocker helps to turn the board, the more dramatic the curve is the easier the board is to manoeuvre but it will also make the board slower. The format of the rocker is usually described as heavy (more sharp curve) or relaxed (the curve is less sharp). A relaxed rocker is more suitable for flatter waves.
Tail
The back of the board is called the tail. There are different types of tails and they all have their own purpose for the board's performance. The most common tails are pin tails (common for big wave-boards), rounded tails (common for longboards), squash tails (common for shortboards) and swallow tails (common for fishboards).
