Reef Longboards

A Reef Longboard is specifically designed for riders who enjoy smooth, relaxed rides with plenty of stability and glide.  Longboards like these are built for easy wave catching and stylish, laid-back manoeuvres.

Construction & Materials:

• Core: The polyurethane (PU) foam core is known for its buoyancy and ability to absorb shock, providing a stable ride on the water. PU cores give the board a more solid, traditional feel.
• Lamination: The board is laminated with fiberglass cloth and sealed with polyester resin. This combination ensures strength, durability, and responsiveness, as the fiberglass adds a layer of protection and helps distribute the forces of paddling and wave riding.
• Flex: PU boards have a natural flex pattern that many surfers find gives a more responsive feel underfoot. The slight flex in the board allows for a smoother ride, especially on smaller, slower waves, making them ideal for the more relaxed style of longboarding.

Shape & Design:

• Length: Like most longboards, a PU longboard typically ranges from 8 to 9 feet in length, although they can go longer or shorter depending on the rider’s preferences.
• Nose: The nose is often round or slightly squared, which allows for smooth turns and the ability to nose ride. Some PU longboards feature a more pronounced "pointed" nose, but many have a soft, wide shape that enhances stability.
• Tail: Longboard tails can vary from square to rounded, with a slightly tapered tail offering more manoeuvrability. A traditional longboard tail design enhances turning and control while maintaining glide and stability.
• Rails: The rails on a PU longboard are often softer, giving the board a more forgiving feel and improving its performance in smaller or mushy waves. Soft rails help the board ride smoothly over the water without catching.

Performance:

• Wave Type: Longboards excel in small to medium-sized waves, where their inherent buoyancy and smooth, stable ride allow surfers to catch waves easily. They are particularly great for riding slower, softer waves with plenty of glide.
• Manoeuvrability: While not as manoeuvrable as shorter boards, a well-shaped PU longboard still allows for fluid turns, cross-stepping, and traditional longboarding manoeuvres such as noserides and hang tens. The stability provided by the PU core makes it easier to walk the board and perform classic longboard tricks.
• Noserides: One of the standout features of PU longboards is their ability to nose ride — a signature move in traditional longboarding. The design allows surfers to walk up to the nose of the board and ride near the front, often hanging ten (standing with both feet on the nose of the board).
• Smooth Ride: The flex and buoyancy of the PU core contribute to a smooth, comfortable ride, making the board forgiving and easy to paddle. This characteristic is especially beneficial for beginners or those who prefer a relaxed style of surfing.

Durability & Weight:

• Durability: PU longboards are generally more durable than EPS boards. The fiberglass layers add strength, but the overall construction can be heavier than newer, high-tech materials.
• Weight: PU longboards are usually heavier compared to EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam boards. The added weight provides more stability. Some surfers prefer the weight because it creates a more stable and grounded ride, especially for noserides.

Performance in Different Conditions:

• Small to Medium Waves: PU longboards perform best in mellow, slower waves, where their size, stability, and ability to glide excel. They provide a comfortable, flowing ride that can make smaller surf feel more enjoyable.
• Larger Waves: While not as well-suited for big, fast waves as shorter boards, a skilled longboarder can still use a PU board on bigger surf, especially for riding the face of the wave, making smooth turns, and catching long rides.