Different Types of Surfing
If you’ve ever watched surfers in action, you might have thought: “Isn’t all surfing just about standing on a board and catching waves?” In reality, different types of surfing offer very distinct experiences, gear, skills, and thrills. In this article, I’ll take you through the major forms of surfing, how they differ, and help you see which style might excite you the most.
Let’s dive in.
What Counts as “Surfing”?
Before we list types, let’s clarify what “surfing” means. At its core, surfing involves riding waves, using boards (or sometimes no board), whether in ocean, river, or artificial settings. Over time, the term has broadened to include wind-powered, tow-powered, and foil-assisted variants.
So when we talk about different types of surfing, we’re covering a spectrum—from traditional wave riding to newer hybrid forms.
Classic Surfing with a Board
These are the forms most people think of when they say “surfing.” They differ by board shape, size, and how you use them.
Shortboard Surfing
Shortboards are typically between about 5’6″ and 6’4″ and are designed for speed and agility.
Because they are shorter and more responsive, shortboards excel in steeper, faster waves. Surfers on shortboards often perform sharp turns, aerials, and barrel riding. But because they offer less stability, they’re generally more suitable for intermediate and advanced surfers.
Longboard Surfing
Longboards are over 8 ft, often up to 10 ft or more.
These boards provide great stability and glide, making them ideal for gentle waves and for beginners. With a longboard, you can walk toward the nose (nose riding) or make smooth, flowy turns, focusing more on style than radical moves.
Funboard / Mid-length Surfing
Between the extremes of short and long, funboards or mid-lengths typically fall in the 7’0″ to 8’6″ range.
They combine stability and maneuverability, making them a good transitional board if you’re moving from longboard to shortboard. They handle a wider range of wave sizes and are forgiving for learning maneuvers.
Alternative Boards: Fish, Gun, Soft-Top, etc.
Fish boards are wider, shorter boards that excel in small to medium waves. They paddle easily and generate speed even in weaker conditions.
Gun boards are built for big wave surfing. They are long, narrow, and built for speed and hold in steep, powerful surf.
Soft-top boards (foam boards) are safer and more stable—great for beginners. They reduce the risk of injury during wipeouts.
Each board type gives a different ride—even within what many call “classic board surfing.”
Surfing Without a Board or with Minimal Gear
Some styles strip back the gear and put more emphasis on the body or minimal devices.
Bodysurfing
Bodysurfing is one of the purest forms. You ride the wave using just your body (plus fins, sometimes a hand plane) without a full board.
It’s intimate—you’re closer to the wave’s power, more immersed. But it can be risky: you may get slammed by whitewater or get too close to shallow reefs.
Handboarding / Handplaning
This is a subset of bodysurfing. You use a small handboard strapped to your hand to help lift the chest out of the water and reduce drag.
It gives you extra control while staying in the bodysurfing realm.
Kneeboarding / Drop Knee Surfing
Kneeboarding involves riding a board on your knees (or drop knee style). You may use a strap or simply hold on.
It’s a nice hybrid between body and full-board surfing, and offers a different angle on wave dynamics.
Wind- or Tow-Assisted Surfing
These types bring in external power—wind or a towing vehicle—to generate speed.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing (or sail surfing) combines surfboard and sail. You control a sail attached to a mast, and harness wind to help propel you across the water.
It requires a good sense of wind, balance, and rig handling. It’s part surfing, part sailing.
Kite Surfing (Kitesurfing)
Kitesurfing uses a large, controllable kite, plus a board (often a twin-tip or directional surfboard). The kite provides lift and pull so you can ride waves, jump, or glide across flat water.
It’s dynamic and versatile—you can surf where there are no waves, so long as there’s wind.
Wing Foiling / Wing Surfing
A relatively newer style: you hold a handheld wing that captures wind, and ride a board with a foil (underwater wing) that lifts you above the water surface.
Once you lift, you get smooth, glide-like motion. It’s becoming popular for its efficiency and freedom.
Tow-in Surfing
When waves are so big that you can’t paddle into them, a jet ski or boat tows you into the wave at speed, allowing you to catch colossal surf that’s otherwise uncatchable by paddling.
This is often for elite big wave surfers.
Hybrid & Emerging Surfing Types
The boundaries of surfing keep expanding as innovation and creativity push forward.
Foil Surfing / Hydrofoiling
In foil surfing you use a board equipped with a hydrofoil—a fin underneath that lifts the board above the water at speed. You can catch waves earlier, smooth out choppy conditions, and sometimes ride over flat sections.
It’s technical but offers a new sensation: flying above water.
Skate-/Wave Pool Surfing / Artificial Waves
Wave pools generate consistent, machine-made waves. This allows surfers to practice in controlled conditions, regardless of ocean swell.
They’re becoming more common, especially where coastline options are limited.
Rapid Surfing / River Surfing
This is surfing on river waves or standing waves in flowing water—artificial or natural. It’s part surfing, part flow-boarding.
You ride a wave that doesn’t move; you move across it. It’s unique and demands different balance techniques.
Skurfing / Wakesurfing
Skurfing is being pulled behind a boat on a surfboard-like board.
Wakesurfing is similar: you surf the wake (wave) generated by a boat. Once you’re in the wake, you drop the rope and surf the boat’s wake like a wave. It’s very accessible on lakes and rivers.
Tanker Surfing (Ship Wakes)
A niche, extreme form of surfing: surfers ride the waves generated by large moving ships (tankers), particularly in narrow channels.
It’s unpredictable and rare, not a mainstream option.
Which Type Fits You Best?
Now that you know the options, which types might suit your interests or skill level?
- If you’re new to surfing and want stability, start with longboard or soft-top boards.
- If you crave performance and fast maneuvers, shortboard or foil surfing could be your path.
- If wind excites you, explore windsurfing, kitesurfing, or wing foiling.
- If you love being close to power and minimal gear, bodysurfing or handboarding may appeal.
- If you don’t always have waves but have wind or boat access, tow-in, skurfing, or wakesurfing give flexibility.
Whatever you pick, build fundamentals—balance, timing, wave reading—then branch into your preferred styles.
Tips for Getting Started Safely
Surfing of any kind carries risk. Here are practical suggestions:
- Learn basic ocean awareness and wave behavior before you go deep.
- Choose forgiving, stable boards early on.
- Use safety gear: leash, helmet (for extreme forms), impact vests.
- Start in beginner-friendly breaks (beach breaks) rather than reef breaks.
- Take lessons—especially for wind or tow-powered versions.
- Progress gradually. Don’t rush into advanced boards or big waves.
Riding waves comes in many flavors. Whether you feel the spray on your skin in bodysurfing, fly above the water with foil surfing, harness the wind in kitesurfing, or carve elegantly on a longboard, there’s a surfing form tailored for you. Explore, experiment, and let the ocean guide your style.
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