Each
tail shape
impacts
speed,
maneuverability and
stability
in a
different way.
The Back End Matters
The tail works together with the rails (edges), bottom contours and fin(s) to allow a paddle board to perform in a particular way.
Many paddlers don’t pay attention to the tail shape of their board thinking it has little significance. Nothing could be further from the truth. The tail of a paddle board is where the water is released as it flows around and under the board. How water flows off the end of your paddle board influences speed, maneuverability, stability and the “feel” of the board moving in the water.
The tail shape, tail edge (rail) and tail kick (curve) all determine how the water is released. In this post I focus on the shape of the tail.
Basic SUP Tail Shapes
1. Square Tail
Used on: Race, Touring and All-Around SUPs
The Square tail is the fastest sup tail and is used on race sups. The Square tail has enough volume to add stability, so it is a good tail for beginners as well as advanced paddlers. The square edge releases water quickly for efficient glide making this tail a favorite on race and touring sups.
2. Squash Tail (or Rounded Square Tail)
Used on: Surf Sups
The Squash tail is a Square tail with rounded corners. The Squash tail is used on many surf sups. It has plenty of volume like the Square tail but the rounded corners make turns on a wave easier.
3. Round Tail
Used on: Most All-Around and Surf SUPs
Round tail is the most common type of sup tail. Round tails are used on all-around boards and surf sups. The round tail is forgiving and good for beginners. It feels stable and makes turn smooth and easy. The Round tail is versatile. You can paddle flat water, moderate chop and surf on a round tail and still feel stable. Not nearly as fast as a Square tail but turns much easier, especially in waves.
5. Pin Tail
Used on: Long Distance Race and Touring SUPs
The Pin tail is the narrowest sup tail. The water easily flows off the end of the narrow pointy tail for fast efficient glide. The Pin tail excels at keep the board moving in a straight line. While great for speed in a straight line Pin tails are hard to maneuver and don’t feel stable.
4. Round Pin Tail
Used on: Long Distance Race and Touring SUPs
The Round Pin tail is a compromise between the Pin tail and the Round tail. The rounded shape slightly improves the turning ability over the regular Pin tail and adds a bit more stability.
6. Swallow Tail
Used on: Performance Surf Sups
The Swallow tail is commonly used on surf sups. The two points of a Swallowtail help generate more drive and bite into the wave. This allows for faster, tighter more dynamic turns.
7. Diamond Tail
Used on: Longboard Surf SUPs
The Diamond tail is sometimes used on longboard surf sups. The squared off ends give a surf sup more control and drive when making bottom turns.
