Posted by Blake Pittman | 10.16.2025 | Uncategorized

Choose the Right Board for the Day

Before You Hit the Beach

Match the Board to the Conditions – I don’t just grab my favorite stick and hope for the best. I check what the ocean’s offering and pick the tool for the job. Small and mushy? I’ll reach for the groveler or a twinny. Clean and punchy? It’s shortboard time. Solid and overhead? Step-up city.

Check the Details

• Swell size and power (can my board handle the drop?)

• Wind and tide (will it hold shape or go soft?)

• Crowds (do I need paddle speed or maneuverability?)

One board can’t do it all — and forcing it usually means frustration.

In the Lineup

Feel It Out – The first few waves tell me everything. If my board feels sluggish or stiff, I adjust my approach — maybe stay higher on the face or draw longer lines. Reading how your board wants to move is half the game.

Adapt Your Style – A fish rewards flow; a performance shortboard rewards precision. The ocean changes, and so should how I surf it.

Respect the Limits – When it’s bigger than it looked, I don’t try to be a hero on a 5’6″. The right board keeps you safe and stoked.

After the Session

Take Notes – I’ll jot down what worked and what didn’t. “Fish was fun but bogged in steep sections.” “Step-up felt smooth once the tide dropped.” That’s how I remember which board shines in which conditions.

Tune the Quiver – Over time, I notice gaps — maybe I need something mid-length for those in-between days. A thoughtful quiver is built from experience, not impulse buys.

What to Implement

• Keep a quick board log (size, waves, performance)

• Check the forecast before you load the car

• Don’t be afraid to swap boards mid-session

• Learn what your boards like — and what they don’t

Mindset Matters

Ride What Works, Not What’s Trendy – The best board for you is the one that fits your waves and your style, not your Instagram feed.

Every Board Teaches Something – Even the wrong choice sharpens your feel for speed, flow, and control.

Confidence Comes from Preparation – When your gear matches the conditions, you surf with freedom instead of fighting the ocean.

The right board doesn’t make the wave better — it helps you meet it perfectly.