CHOOSE YOUR SURFBOARD

Welcome to the world of surfboards, exploring the different types and essential tips to help you find the ideal board that suits your style.

As we gain stability and confidence in our surfboard, we realize how essential equipment is to keep advancing and improving in this exciting sport. Although there is no perfect board, we are going to discover some essential aspects that you should consider when going from a softboard to a hardboard, so that you can find the one that best suits your surfing style.

Types of surfboards

Let’s talk about the most common table types:

    1. Longboard

These boards, which range from 8 to 12 feet, are ideal for small waves. They are an excellent option for beginners, since their stability helps to learn basic techniques. Due to their size, they have great buoyancy, which allows for faster paddling. However, its size can also make it difficult to ride the roughest waves. Although they compromise maneuverability, they are ideal for smaller wave days.

    1. Gun

Designed for extremely big waves, like the ones at Nazaré in Portugal, these long, pointy boards offer plenty of speed and acceleration. They are intended for high level surfers.

    1. Fish

Boards short but wide and thicker than conventional ones. They are ideal for small and medium waves, with a special tail that facilitates paddling and fluid turns.

    1. Funboard / Mini-Malibu

Halfway between a longboard and a fish, the funboard is perfect for beginner surfers looking to progress. Measuring from 6.5 to 8.5 feet and with a wide, round shape, it combines ease of paddling with greater maneuverability for practicing turns.

    1. Shortboard

The most common, but intended for advanced surfers. They are ideal for maneuvers such as cutbacks and aerials. They offer great maneuverability and their design makes it easy to “hit” the critical areas of the wave. Better in medium-big waves, they are less resistant due to their narrowness.

    1. Hybrid

Combined designs that offer performance and speed. Ideal for intermediate surfers looking to progress to a shorter board.

For example, by increasing the volume of the board, we gain stability but sacrifice maneuverability. Opting for boards with more camber or rocker increases control and performance, although it can reduce speed. In short, it is a delicate balance between factors. Instead of looking for the “perfect board”, it is crucial to ask ourselves what type of surfer we are and what conditions we are going to surf in.

Choosing the right board is not an easy task, but considering factors such as weight and height, surfing level, types of waves and the shape of the board is essential. Reflect on your style and goals to make the right decision. Once you choose it, enjoy every moment on the waves.

If you want to learn to surf safely, do not hesitate to join us in Huanchaco, Peru. The Urcia Surf School team awaits you to take you out to sea.

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Urcia Surf School | Los Cerezos 114, Huanchaco, Peru | +51 979 698 547 | info@urciasurfschool.com

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Caballito tour

For thousands of years local fishermen have been using Caballitos de Totora (reed surfboard-like boats) to navigate the ocean and surf the waves. It’s how surfing in Peru started! During our Caballito tour, Santos Urcia – father of Juninho – will show you how a caballito is made and will explain about this tradition that is still very much alive today. Of course you will have plenty of opportunity to try riding one yourself and catch some fish! Afterwards we will have a traditional Peruvian Ceviche lunch where we will prepare the catch of the day together. The tour takes about half a day in total.

Caballito de totora tour by Urcia Surf School in Huanchaco

Massage

After some days of intense surfing a massage can pep you up again! Massages last 1 hour and take place at our masseurs. Let your masseur know which muscles you prefer to be treated.

Yoga

Start or end your day with a relaxing yoga session! The sessions take 1 hour and take place at the beach. Your yoga instructor will adapt the exercises to your level.

Breakfast

Our hearty and healthy surfer breakfast includes coffee or tea, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruits, bread, cheese, ham and eggs. 

We cater for vegetarians, vegans and or alergies. Please indicate this in the comment area.

Breakfast at Urcia Surf House

Spanish Lessons

Combining surfing with learning Spanish
If besides surfing you are up for another challenge, we also offer Spanish lessons as an option for all our surf camp packages. It’s not uncommon for the friendly locals of Huanchaco to start a conversation or give you surf tips while waiting for the next set of waves. Thus you can directly put your new Spanish skills to practice. What better and more relaxed way of learning Spanish than doing so while surfing?

Spanish Lessons
For the Spanish lessons we work together with Manuel, a local spanish teacher with a lot of experience. In 1-hour lessons in small groups he will help build your confidence speaking and understanding Spanish, so that in no-time you will be able to chat with the locals, be it in the line-up or at the bar. The first Spanish lesson your current level will be assessed and based on that the focus for the rest of the course will be determined. At the end of every class you will receive some homework to continue learning in between classes at your own pace.