Wooden Surfboards vs Foam and Fibreglass: Which is Better?
There are plenty of materials to choose from when you pick a surfboard. Maybe you are drawn to wooden surfboards for the look or the sustainability, but how do they compare with foam and fibreglass?
In truth, wooden surfboards can be good or bad, just as foam and fibreglass boards can. What matters is how the board is made. A well-crafted wooden surfboard can be as well shaped, as light, and as flexible as any fibreglass board.
Wooden vs foam and fibreglass
When you compare the two, look at the characteristics below. If you have found a board that is light, flexible, durable, and well shaped, you are in the right place. It is a bonus if it looks great and is kinder to the environment.
| Characteristic | Foam and fibreglass surfboards | Wooden surfboards |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Generally light, depending on the glass job | Light or heavy. Precise air chambers or a foam core can keep a board light. |
| Shapes | Depends on the shaper | Depends on the shaper |
| Flex | Generally flexible, depending on the glass job | Flexible or stiff, depending on construction. Stiffer boards suit longer boards with flatter rocker. |
| Durability | Generally not very durable. Depends on the glass job, and boards pick up deck pressure dents and commonly snap. | Generally very durable, with no deck pressure dents and a much lower chance of snapping |
Making a high-performing wooden surfboard is harder than making a high-performing fibreglass one. That is why there are fewer makers of truly high-quality wooden boards, and why each brand tends to have its own approach to the craft. A few wooden surfboard makers to look out for are Sine Surf, Varuna Surf, Tonn Surfboards, and Verdure Surfboards.
So which is better?
It depends on the type of surfing you want to do and what you want from a board.
The idea that wooden surfboards are heavy, stiff, and badly shaped took hold because, until recently, only hobbyist shapers were making them. Brands like those above have since put a lot of time into research and development, and they are showing how well a wooden board can perform. The best wooden surfboards can tuck into and hold the steepest wave pockets, or hang ten in critical noseriding sections. Wooden boards are also hard to beat for sustainability and durability, and a well-crafted one can last for decades.
When you choose your next board, think about what kind of surfer you are and the manoeuvres you want to do. It also helps to ask a shaper whether the board you have your eye on is right for you.
If you are weighing up a wooden board, have a look at our surfboards or email us. We are happy to answer surfing and surfboard questions whether or not you buy from us.
Happy surfing!
