If you didn’t grow up drooling over surf magazines like some of us, the world of surfboards may seem dauntingly complex. Fear not! This Nice Rack guide will help you with the basics so you can hold your own the next time you’re in a surf shop or talkin’ story in the parking lot of your favorite surf break. Think of this as the basic guide to surfboards where we will discuss avoiding kook behavior on an equipment level. Let’s get started.

Shortboard

The modern shortboard is the key ingredient of the modern surfing recipe. White Shortboard+Black Wetsuit+Three fins=Surfing (for those in warmer climes substitute wetsuit for trunks). You can’t really go to a surf break without seeing a shortboard. They’re sleek, fast, performance, and predictable. This cocktail of traits is what makes shortboards the go to board for competitions, trips to perfect waves, and showing off your moves. But, don’t be too fast to wish away all other boards, these boards only reach their stride under the right feet. Shortboard surfing isn’t for everyone. Even for those who excel with them they may not work for every condition.

Avoid Kooking Out: by saving a shortboard until you know how to get vertical or plan on getting shacked.

Longboard

The longboard of today is far more predictable and easy to ride than in surfing’s early days. These boards are perfect for small, flat or mushy waves because they pack a lot of volume. They’re also harder to store and carry to the beach because of that volume. Don’t despair though, having a longboard on the right day can make all the difference. Today many shredders will ride longboards on larger waves and can surf them aggressively enough to put many short boarders to shame.

Avoid Kooking Out: by saving the longboard until you can leave the leash at home and cross-step your way to the nose. By the way, nose-riding (a.k.a. hanging-five/ten) is something every surfer needs to experience.

Funboard

The outline of a funboard is similar to a longboard, but they usually have a thruster set up (three small fins). The most noticeable difference is that these boards will generally be in the 7-8ft range. Other differences in rocker and rail make the board friendly for beginners. Great for fundamentals such as take-offs, bottom turns and top turns. I would recommend that every beginner start on. Drawbacks: these board’s will hold you back on advanced maneuvers where a shortboard or longboard wont. For example, the increased entry-rocker on a funboard will mess up your nose-ride.

Avoid Kooking Out: Don’t be a wave-hog if you’re riding a fun-board. Think you’re too cool for school? Don’t forget that there’s always a time for honing your core-skills.

Guns, Logs, Fishes, Bonzers, and Twinzers, Asyms… Oh My

Although some from the strictly short-board or longboard camp will often dismiss the odd shape, don’t be fooled. There is a whole world of speed and glide to be found in these boards which I will cover in an upcoming post.

Storing your longboard short-board or Fun-board is easy if you’ve got a Nice Rack. Check out our Heavy Duty Racks for funboard and longboard surfboards. Don’t forget that Nice Rack Modular Racks are the most customizable short surfboard rack out there! Nice Rack has your whole quiver covered.

-Shakas-

Jason

Who is your favorite Aussie Pro? If you’re like me you may have grown up with a blend of Aussy and US surf heroes. Sometimes these days its hard to imagine how fierce the rivalry between these two nations has been in the past. The following article will highlight for you some of Australia’s most competitive surfers. For a country with over 2.5 million surfers and some of the best waves in the world we shouldn’t be surprised that world tour rankings are saturated by these names each year.

Looking back on this years pro tour I think it’s safe to include Owen Wright on this mini list. Born in 1990 in Beach, New South Wales, Wright has definitely proven himself as a charger at Teahupo’o and as a competitor by sparking up showdown’s with Kelly Slater. At only only about 21 years of age Owen Wright also makes the author, only a few years his senior, feel like an old man.

Taj Burrow born of Busselton West Australia was born in 1978. For many Taj defined the progressive surfing that we still see today. With an entire bag of aggressive aerial and carving And many are still dying to see Burrow pull a world title win. Check out this clip above from the surf film Fair Bits, this is a great video to check out, it even has a Ben Stiller cameo.

Joel “Parko” Parkinson was born in 1981 in Nambour. At ten wins in ASP events and two-perfect tens at 2008 Pipe-Masters event Parko is a force to be reckoned with. Check out this clip from Free as a Dog a movie dedicated to Parko and friends. This film was made by legendary surf cinematographer Jack McCoy

Mick Fanning born in 1982, Pennith NSW, is known as one of the fastest surfers on tour. He’s also the proud owner of two world titles. Watch his speedy lines in this clip of his contest surfing. It’s not hard to see why his nickname is “White Lightning.”

With plenty of up-and-comers nipping at their heels Australia is assured a future of crazy talented rippers in professional surfing. Don’t even get me started on all the crazy talented guys and gals who aren’t on the World Tour… maybe next time.

Who else should be on this list?

Do you call your leash a leggie?

Can Koalas swim/surf?

Did you know that Rob Machado was born in Australia?

Let us know on www.facebook.com/thenicerack

Did you know that Nice Rack is now being distributed in Australia? It’s true, check out www.theecosurfer.com.au to see the goods! If each one of those 2.5 million Australian surfers were to buy one modular rack it would be the best Christmas present ever. I’ll start writing thank you cards now.

Shakas~

Jason

If you are reading this I will assume that you’re familiar with the concept of stoke. In the world of action sports, Surfing, SUP, snowboarding, wakeboarding etc. Stoke is term used to refer to the positive satisfying feeling that comes with catching a good wave, carving an epic turn or just enjoying oneself. Stoke also comes from sharing; seeing a friend get barreled or watching your little sister learn to wakeboard! Thus I turn to an equally important brand of sharing stoke, giving-stoke (aka holiday stoke). Nice Rack is proud to have recently contributed to Wake World’s Toys for Tots Auction, and this blog is dedicated to the folks who make it happen every year.

This video shows the Wake World event organizer, and his army of kid shoppers picking up the best toys to donate to Toys for Tots and having fun while doing it!

About the charity

Toys for Tots is Organized by US Marine Corps every year in every state. The charity gets toys to children who otherwise wouldn’t be receiving gifts during the holidays. For the less-privileged kids in our country, Toys for Tots is something to look forward to during this cold time of year. It also provides some hope for a better future. Toys are collected as unwrapped gifts at collection centers in each participating community. They are then distributed to the kids in need within that same area by volunteers and members of the Marine Corps.

About Wake World’s Auction

Who donated in 2011? Big names like Hyperlite, Tige Boats, Rockstar Energy, and smaller operations like yours truly. The prizes were wakeboards, wakeskates, bindings, boat equipment, clothing, amplifiers, wakeboard camp days, and more. The items were placed as up-for auction on Wake Worlds website where fans were allowed to bid for their favorite prize. The winners got to keep their prize, and the money was collected by Wake World to buy toys. The toys were then taken to a collection center and added to donations from others in the community. This year Wake World with the help of its sponsors raised $6,829.95 to buy toys! Those who bid in the auction got some sick deals, and I think its safe to say that some tots will be stoked on the gifts they get this year.

About Wake World

Wake World Covers the full spectrum of wakesports with how-to, training, history, videos, articles, links, reviews and forums. If you want to learn how to set up your boat to make a perfect wake, or if you want to learn to do some epic front-flips it’s the place to go. Stay up to date on the contest circuit and your favorite pros, or chat with buddies from your local lake.

Nice Rack Prize

Nice Rack auctioned off a Nice rack prize. The pack included: the Nice Rack Modular Rack (the best home storage for wakeboards) a Nice Rack T-shirt, and a Nice Rack Trucker Hat. If you have a wakeboarder in your family we recommend hooking them up with the Nicest holiday gift on the market. Or, you’re feeling less charitable hook yourself up, someone will be glad that you got your surfboard off the ground!

You can get involved too! Simply visit http://www.toysfortots.org/ for information and collection centers near you.

Raddest Santa Surfing Stoke

Do you have an awesome charity that you want to share? Hit us up on www.facebook.com/thenicerack and let us know!