What Is Surfboard Volume?
When you’re choosing a surfboard, volume might be the most overlooked number on the spec sheet. Yet it directly impacts how easily you paddle, how many waves you catch, and how forgiving your board feels under your feet. Let’s break down what surfboard volume actually means and why it matters for your surfing.
Surfboard volume is the total space your board occupies, measured in liters. A shortboard usually falls around 25–35L, a mid-length between 40–50L, and longboards anywhere from 60L up to 100L or more. More volume means more buoyancy: the board floats you higher in the water, reducing drag and helping you paddle faster. Faster paddling means catching more waves with less effort.
But volume only makes sense when paired with surfer weight. For example, an 80 kg surfer on a 40 L board has a 50% ratio, while a 40 kg surfer on the same board sits at 100%. That ratio influences how the board feels: too little volume and you’ll struggle to paddle, catch waves late, and bog down in turns. Too much volume, and the board feels harder to force around – but that usually forces you to use better technique.
The key takeaway: don’t treat smaller boards as a badge of ability. The right volume isn’t about ego – it’s about choosing a board that lets you progress your surfing.
How TRAX Helps You Find the Right Board
Volume is only part of the puzzle. The real question is whether a board actually works for your surfing. That’s where TRAX comes in. By tracking your paddling speed, takeoff timing, and flow through turns across different boards, TRAX shows you objective data on how board volume (and other design features) affect your performance. Instead of guessing, you’ll see which boards help you progress faster – and which ones are holding you back.
Related Reading
- 5 Reasons Your Surfing Isn’t Progressing
- Are You Riding the Wrong Surfboard?
- Bottom Turns – The Setup That Defines Your Surfing
