Top 6 Best Swallow Tail Surfboards | Reviews (Rock-It)
You may have noticed that surfboards don’t only come in various lengths and styles, but they also have assorted tail shapes. For instance, we have the square tail, which is considered as the father of all surfboard styles. Some of the common tails include the squash tail, pin tail, rounded pin tail, swallow tail, and fish tail. Of course, we also have the rarer tails like the diamond tail, bat tail, and moon tail. In this post, we’ll zoom in on the swallow tail shape. Then, we’ll talk about some of the best swallow tail surfboards that you can find online. What are Swallow Tail Surfboards (and who are they good for)? The swallow tail surfboard looks exactly what it sounds like. Design-wise, it resembles a swallow bird’s tail, with an inverted V leading to its two corners. How Important is a Surfboard’s Tail Shape? In the same way that board types are suited for different surfers and wave situations, each tail shape is made for a particular purpose. See, a surfboard’s tail directly affects key factors in surfing. This includes stability, buoyancy, maneuverability, speed, control, drive, hold, and acceleration. As a general rule, rounder tail shapes translate to more stability, while angular tails like the swallow tail give a more “skatey” feel. Who Should Ride a Swallow Tail Surfboard? The swallow tail is primarily designed to help surfers make sharp turns and generate enough speed in small, mushy, and lackluster waves. The V shape also gives surfers an easier time maneuvering the board and riding it through choppy waves. For context, “small waves” are anything from ankle-high to waist-high, or “1 ft.” to “3 ft.” in surfer lingo. Since boards with swallow tail are packed with more foam than usual, this means that it is more buoyant. This makes it easy to catch waves and to paddle, which is especially helpful for advanced beginners who are just transitioning to smaller boards. Overall, when looking at the best swallow tail surfboards, rather than simply asking “who” should ride it, it’s more important to consider: what is the current skill level of the rider? We discuss this in more detail in our “Frequently asked questions” section. Additionally, you’ll need to ask “where” the board will be taken, and “what” type of waves are present in the area that you’re heading to. Are Swallow Tail & Fish Tail the Same Thing? The swallow tail is commonly confused with a fish tail since it does look pretty similar at first glance. Purpose-wise, it is somehow alike, but it still has subtle differences. For instance, the V of a fish tail is curvier — quite literally like a fish’s tail. The angle of the V is also narrower, and it cuts deeper into the board. The swallow tail, on the other hand, is usually shaped like a very wide V, with the cut appearing closer to the board’s edge. In many cases, people use “swallow tail” and “fish tail” to refer to the same thing because they are often the tails of fish surfboards. A fish is a surfboard that generally has the same length as a shortboard, but has a wider width from rail to rail. The added width and thickness make it more stable than your typical shortboard. Top 6 Swallow Tail Surfboards Now that we know a little more about the swallow tail, check out our short list of the best swallow tail surfboards for beginners and advanced surfers alike: Wave Bandit 6’6” Ben Gravy Performer – Our Top Pick! Rock-It ALBERT – Best Budget South Bay Board Co. 6’6” Fish Beef Pro – Versatile Wave Catcher StormBlade 6’ Swallow Tail Surfboard – Great for All-Day Surfing Odysea 5’6” Skipper Quad – Great for Shredding South Bay Board Co. 8’4” Magic Carpet – Amazing Summer Funboard #1: Wave Bandit 6’6” Ben Gravy Performer – Our Top Pick! Specifications Board Dimensions: 6’6” x 22” x 3.125” Volume: 55L Material: EPS core with soft top Accessories Included: 4.5” removable tri fin set Skill Level: Intermediate – Experienced Other Sizes: 5’6”, 6’0” Other Features: Double maple wood stringers, fish shape, endorsed by Ben Gravy Wave Bandit is a name that’s known for their fun, versatile, and bright neon surfboards. It’s a surfboard line within the bigger Catch Surf brand that caters mostly to beginners. But who’s to say that experienced surfers can’t have fun with it? Not Ben Gravy, who has a Wave Bandit collection dedicated to him! If you’re into the funky colorways of the Wave Bandit surfboards, you’d probably also like Ben Gravy’s signature boards. The deck may be a “boring” white, but the bottom is patterned with his pineapple head logo on a lime green background. Of course, when it comes to performance, the Wave Bandit 6’6” Ben Gravy Performer pretty much lives up to its name. With a soft top, fish shape, plus a more traditional rocker that’s comparable to a shortboard, the Performer serves as a great transition board for surfers who want to level up from a longboard or a mini mal. Even though the 6’6” Performer is mostly recommended for beginners due to its size, experienced surfers still enjoy it because it can turn like a classic shortboard, with nearly the same responsiveness. Its 55L volume also makes it easier to catch hard-to-get waves. Construction-wise, the Performer is made of dual-composite core, marine-grade twin wood stringers, and ultra-durable high-density plastic for the bottom. These ensure the board’s strength and stiffness, making it capable of handling bigger waves. If you’re looking for a fun swallow tail surfboard that wouldn’t break the bank, look no further than the Wave Bandit 6’6” Ben Gravy Performer. It looks cool, it’s good for surfers of all levels, and it’s endorsed by Ben Gravy himself! #2: Rock-It ALBERT – Best Budget Specifications Board Dimensions: 6’0″ x 22.4” x 3.2” Volume: 49L Material: Recycled EPS foam with fiberglass cloth Accessories Included: Removable performance fins Skill Level: Beginner – Experienced Other Features: Two nano-coated … Read more
