Equipment
Tail Shape
The outline of a wakesurf board's tail—such as squash, square, fish, or swallowtail—that influences drive, looseness, and how easily the board holds in the wave.
Tail shape is the contour of the back end of a wakesurf board and is a major driver of how it performs. Surf-style boards use shaped tails such as squash, square, fish, and swallowtail, which generate more forward drive and minimize the effort needed to keep up with the wake. Wider, blockier tails add stability and push; narrower or split (swallow/fish) tails loosen the board and free up turning.
Skim boards instead use symmetrical pointed tails so the board can be ridden either direction. Tail shape combines with rails, rocker, volume, and fins to define the board's ride character.