This revolutionary guide to the dictionary was brought to me by a man named Mike Beauvais. A legend in the South-Bay (CA), who has been a Surfboard CNC machinist over the last 20+ years. An engineer by trade and surfboard machinist by passion, Mike gave me some framework on how to help gage volume for all types of boards and surfers.
He would further explain to me that the volume of your surfboard, expressed in Liters, is amount of space occupied between you and the water.
Let’s take me, for example:
Subjectively speaking: I’m in the “Experienced category.” I have surfed over 20 years, coached and trained to surf at a high-level and surfed some of the best waves in the world.
I am 6 foot tall 190 pounds.
For a high performance shortboard, I would take my 190 pounds, transfer that to 86.18 kg (in order to get to Liters) and finally multiply 34% which would equate to 29.3. AKA my SWEET spot for a performance shortboard.
To give further context, an 8’0 WAVESTORM from Costco is 86 L.
You might ask…”So what the HECK does that mean for me?” Well, below I’m going to give you a rough breakdown of how I look at my boards in percentages. Also, what I use for other surfers. Personally I don't surf in one category only. I can have fun in ALL depending on where and what types of waves I'm surfing.
These formulas can translate to you wherever you're at:
Matt Pagan
6’0 at 190Lbs or 86.18Kgs
Experienced Category/High Performance Surfboard:
Multiply 34%-35%:
29-30L
Advanced Category/Performance Alternative Surfboard:
Multiply 40%-42%:
34L-36L
Ie: For me this would be twin, single fin or quad I’d ride in softer waves.
Learning To Turn/Cruiser Surfboards:
Multiply 50%-55%
43-47L
Ie: For me, this would be a board I would ride when the waves are barely breaking.
Soft Top Surfboard/Let’s Catch Everything Surfboard:
100%
86L
Ie: For me this would be an 8’0 WAVESTORM from Costco.
I know this might be alot of new information. I’m looking forward to having further conversations on this.
My goal is that this breakdown helps start the wheels turning of how to look at your surfboards and ultimately helps us all catch more waves and have more fun.
I found this Youtube Video from “Surf Simply” that does a good job of explaining some of the basics as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpJHjIRg4qU
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Matt
PAGAN USA - UNDER CONSTRUCTION SURF CLUB
PAGANUSA.COM
