Surfing is probably more diverse than you realise. While, at its core, it's about standing on a board and riding a wave, there are numerous different types of surfing. Each type offers a distinct way to experience the ocean, ranging from the serene glide of longboarding to the adrenaline rush of tow-in surfing. Some surfing styles are better suited for beginners on slower waves while others are ideal for those interested in speed and control. Here, we'll explore the most popular styles of surfing so you can understand the differences and find the one that best suits you and your local conditions.
Best Conditions: Small to medium swell; clean point or beach breaks; light offshore wind
Common Locations: Noosa Heads (AUS), Malibu (USA), Waikiki (Hawaii)
Wave Entry Method: Paddle-in
Board Weight Range: 6 – 10 kg (varies by material)
Wave Type: Rolling or peeling waves
Popularity: Very popular; a staple style worldwide
Equipment Notes: Single fin or 2+1 setup; soft-top versions often used in lessons and for beginners
Longboarding is probably the most traditional style of surfing. This surfing style originates from early surf history in Hawaii, where longboards were traditionally used by royalty and chiefs. Today, the longboard is popular for stability, ease of use, and its timeless aesthetic.
Longboards were the original type of surfboards in Polynesia and Hawaii. | Photo by Kirsten Frank
With a generous length and a rounded nose, longboards can catch smaller waves earlier and ride them for longer distances. Longboarding focuses on manoeuvres like cross-stepping, drop-knee turns, and the iconic nose ride. This makes it an excellent style for beginners, casual riders, and surfers looking for a relaxed rhythm over shredding.
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Surfing Is More Than Just One Thing
Surfing isn’t one-size-fits-all. From relaxing longboarding to extreme tow-in surfing, there are styles for every skill level and environment.
Shortboarding
Typical Board Length: 1.5 – 2.1 metres
Wave Size Range: 1 – 3 metres (waist- to double-overhead)
Best Conditions: Medium to large swell; reef or point breaks; clean, powerful surf
Common Locations: Gold Coast (AUS), Pipeline (Hawaii), Huntington Beach (USA)
Wave Entry Method: Paddle-in
Board Weight Range: 2.5 – 4.5 kg
Wave Type: Steep, hollow, or powerful waves
Popularity: Most common competitive style
Equipment Notes: Tri-fin (thruster) setups; narrow outlines for manoeuvrability
Shortboarding is the most popular of modern surfing styles. The boards first emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s, revolutionising how surfers approached waves. Surfers could now perform explosive turns and aerial tricks with fast, radical riding.
The boards themselves are shorter, narrower, and lighter in weight. Their refined shape, pointed nose, and tri-fin (thruster) make them responsive. Surfers can perform tight bottom turns, cutbacks, snaps, floaters, and airs. This is the surf style used in the Olympic Games and the World Surf League (WSL).
Tow-In Surfing
Typical Board Length: 1.8 – 2.4 metres
Wave Size Range: 6+ metres (20+ feet; big wave surfing)
Required Skill Level: Expert only
Performance Style / Speed: Extremely fast; survival-focused; large drop-ins
Best Conditions: Massive swell; offshore wind; deep water reef or point breaks
Common Locations: Nazaré (Portugal), Jaws (Hawaii), Shipstern Bluff (AUS)
Wave Entry Method: Tow-in via jet ski or boat
Board Weight Range: 5 – 8 kg (often with foot straps)
Wave Type: Massive, breaking waves; big wave conditions only
Popularity: Niche; high-profile in big wave events
Equipment Notes: Requires jet ski, impact vest, foot straps, helmet, and experienced team
Tow-in surfing is an extreme and specialised type of surfing for massive waves. This style emerged in the 1990s, as surfers sought to explore big-wave conditions. These surfers are towed into waves using jet-skis so they can match the speed of the swell, dropping into waves the size of buildings. You can see tow-in surfing at events like the Big Wave World Tour and at legendary breaks like Nazaré (Portugal), Jaws (Hawaii), and Shipstern Bluff (Australia).
Best Conditions: Small swell; calm water; beach or point breaks
Common Locations: Byron Bay (AUS), San Onofre (USA), Waikiki (Hawaii)
Wave Entry Method: Standing start with paddle
Board Weight Range: 8 – 12 kg
Wave Type: Rolling waves or even flatwater (non-breaking)
Popularity: Growing rapidly, especially for fitness and touring
Equipment Notes: Paddle required; often inflatable or epoxy boards
Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) is a blend between traditional surfing and paddling. Unlike most other types of surfing, SUP surfers stand upright on their boards before catching a wave. They use a long paddle to steer, accelerate, and stay stable.
Stand-up Paddleboarding is a reasonably self-explanatory type of surfing. | Photo by Michael Henry
SUP started in Hawaii and is one of the fastest-growing styles out there. You can enjoy it on small ocean waves, gentle beach breaks, rivers, and flat water. Though you can do it on more powerful waves, it's mostly popular with those looking for a more relaxing rhythm.
Bodyboarding is a more accessible type of surfing. Rather than standing up, bodyboarders lie prone on their boards or kneel on them. This is a popular choice among beginners and younger surfers, but at the top end, it's a serious discipline. The bodyboard itself is small, lightweight, and often made with slick plastic bottoms and dense foam cores. Just make sure you know surfing's unwritten rules before you head out.
Bodyboarding is a good starting point for beginners, but at the highest levels, it can still be very technical. | Photo by Jophe Bracca
Bodysurfing
Typical Board Length: None (optional handplane or fin used)
Wave Size Range: 0.5 – 2 metres
Required Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Performance Style / Speed: Pure and fluid; uses body and positioning
Best Conditions: Shore breaks; clean, fast-breaking waves
Common Locations: Newport Wedge (USA), Manly (AUS), Sandy Beach (Hawaii)
Wave Entry Method: Swim with fins
Board Weight Range: N/A (handplane <0.5 kg if used)
Wave Type: Breaking shore waves
Popularity: Traditional and accessible; growing again
Equipment Notes: Swim fins essential; optional handplane and helmet
Bodysurfing involves riding waves with your body and maybe a pair of fins. Part of Polynesian surfing history, bodysurfers swim into waves and use their body to trim, steer, and glide along the wave face. It may seem simple, but it requires precise timing and an understanding of how waves break.
Best Conditions: Small, slow waves or rolling swell; minimal chop
Common Locations: Kauai (Hawaii), Byron Bay (AUS), California coast
Wave Entry Method: Paddle or tow-in
Board Weight Range: 5 – 8 kg (with foil attachment)
Wave Type: Rolling waves or open swell
Popularity: Growing rapidly; niche but innovative
Equipment Notes: Requires foil (mast and wings); helmet often recommended
Foil surfing is one of the newer and more innovative types of surfing. Using a hydrofoil mounted beneath the board, surfers ride above the water's surface. The foil is a mast and wing system that extends beneath the board, generating lift as it moves forwards through the water.
In foil surfing, the board actually comes away from the water's surface. | Photo by LECHAT Valentin
Surfers can ride standing waves in flowing water. This is a popular style in landlocked areas like Munich's Eisbach River, Boise River (USA), and the Brisbane River. It's also a fun and accessible alternative to ocean surfing while still offering many of the benefits of surfing.
Choosing the Right Style for You
Before you choose a surf style, think about your experience level, physical fitness, personal fitness, and the local conditions. Beginners may want to start with longboarding, SUP surfing, or bodyboarding. Thrillseekers might look to tow-in surfing or foil surfing.
There isn't a best style of surfing, so why not get started with a surfing tutor on Superprof? There are tutors across Australia offering various types of surfing, and with most offering the first session for free, you can try a few before choosing the one that's right for you.
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Joseph
Joseph is a French and Spanish to English translator, copywriter, and all-round language enthusiast.
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