What Are the Best Surfboard Quivers?

You can’t really have one surfboard and call it a day nowadays, can you? Well, you could, but it doesn't stop us surf fanatics to keep building our collection until we have a bonafide quiver on our hands. 

However, there is an art to this madness. We’re not just collecting surfboards of any kind, and we’re definitely not doing it for the sake of it. So, where does this third and elaborate planning come from? 

It’s no secret that today if you have the means, you are able to have any type of board custom created, carved, and fitted for you. This has made many riders consider the possibilities of… Well, of infinity, really. There is no end to what can be done, and some want to see just how deep the rabbit hole goes. 

Building a quiver can be both a joy and a burden, but regardless if you are on your third or twenty-third board, one thing is for sure: there is always room for one more board in your collection. 

The Must-Have Boards

Surf quivers used to be made up of thrusters and a couple of extras here and there. But today, pro surfers and willing enthusiasts aren’t satisfied until they have every color of the rainbow. 

Riders want to get to the point where there isn't a weather condition or beach break in existence that they aren’t ready for. 

With that said, let’s take a look at the four most coveted boards on the market today. If you’re missing one of these four surfboards, then you’re missing out big. 

The Fish Surfboard

Believe it or not, the modern design of the fish board came to the scene way back in 1967. And if that isn’t shocking enough, it was actually put together by Steve Lis, who was sixteen years old. 

For weather conditions where a thruster just won’t cut it, the fish board is the go-to board for many surfers. 

The wide build of the fish board makes it possible for surfers to retain their stability and direction while still having a lot of control and maneuverability because of the tight tail end. 

The fish surfboard design works well on almost all types of small boards. And get this: they are able to reach speeds that can rival longboards. They’re quite remarkable and the best of both worlds, really. Moreover, the added buoyancy, compared to shortboards, makes it a lot easier to paddle out to your favorite spot. 

The Soft Top Surfboard or the Foamie

Although the foamie is probably not going to be the first board that you reach for, you probably wouldn’t want to go without it once you’ve tried one. 

A great thing about foamies is that they are super durable. Think of the life span of glassed boards and multiply that with five. 

There are no dings to be had on a foamie since it’s one big sponge that can take impact with the best of them. They’re safer for the environment as well. 

Soft top surfboards come in all different shapes and sizes, which makes them all the more desirable. 

Over the years, the designs and builds of soft boards have only gotten better and better. Today, it’s at a point where riders do not have to sacrifice a lot on the performance end of things in order to enjoy the benefits of the foamie. 

Soft boards might be the boards of the future. Compound innovation is progressing at a great pace, so we might live to see the day when soft boards completely overtake what we consider to be the standard. 

The Midlength Board

Ah, the mid-length board. When you’ve had all there is to have from longboards, and shortboards just don’t cut it for you, it’s time to reach for a middle-length board. Mid boards have a ton to offer in that they have the characteristics of both longboards and shortboards. 

In regard to what a mid board actually is, it's basically any length that doesn’t quite fall into the longboard or shortboard camps. 

In turn, this makes it quite versatile. That’s why mid-lengths are also referred to as funboards. Usually, they’ll feature wide noses that are round in construction. This makes them a dream to paddle out to sea and provide a good deal of buoyancy.

The best part is that you are getting all this, and there is still a lot of room for maneuverability. Imagine a shortboard that is much more stable and can stay afloat as a longboard. 

Well as the name suggests, the funboard is best put to use when you take it out to surf medium waves. It can excel on small waves as well. However, big waves make it difficult for riders to keep up because they’d have to work overtime in order to keep their direction and balance. 

The Groveler Surfboard

If small waves are the name, then the groveler board is the game. If you are a small wave surfer, you are absolutely going to love the groveler. 

Grovelers look a lot like shortboards but can also resemble fish boards. The thing that sets them apart is that they usually have a wider nose and tail than what you would find on your typical shortboard. 

Also, expect to find them with concave bottoms, which makes them perfect for the small wave surf. 

What to Consider When Building a Quiver?

First and foremost, you should always consider how you will be transporting your rig. You could have all the boards in the world, but if you don’t have the means to take them to different beach breaks, then it’s futile.

Also, this might not be a problem right away, but it’s also a great idea to take a look at your living space before you set out to build a quiver. These things tend to get out of hand pretty easily. There is always space for one more board in the mind of the surfer, so if you are living in a tiny studio, think twice before you make good on that discount card at your local surf shop. 

Of course, these aren’t the biggest issues either way and more along the lines of things to keep in mind. So, what should you really consider?

Your Abilities

Yes, although no one wants to admit it, building your quiver around your abilities is the way to go. No one is going to come out and say that they can’t keep balance on a shortboard, but the truth is that you shouldn’t get five of them if you aren’t comfortable surfing a shortboard.

Always try to build a utilitarian quiver that will accentuate your strong sides. For instance, as a beginner, you want a board that has a lot of volume to it and is great for paddling. How many of those have you got? 

It goes both ways—regardless of whether you are a professional or veteran surfer, you should be looking for wave-specific boards that are closely tied to your abilities. 

Versatility

When you are building your quiver, you should always think in terms of versatility. You don’t want to just mindlessly collect colors. 

Well, you could do that as well, but that’s not what most surfers are after. Most surfers want to build on their toolbox so that when they hit the reef, they have the Swiss army knife of surfboards at their disposal. 

Even as you are amassing a collection, you should still be on the lookout for boards that can serve more than one purpose. 

The magic of a good quiver is that it can be shrunken and still be a powerhouse. Take fish boards, for instance; you can use them in various scenarios, but their strong points remain the high head and chest. 

If that fits your style and the waves at your favorite spot, then that’s perfect. But what if it isn’t? Do you still get the fish board even though you cannot maximize its potential? Well, the answer is yes, but it all depends on where you’re at in your surfing as well as your quiver journey. 

Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to have a custom-tailored board that can serve you and your parameters to the very last splash. Still, the point that you should have a versatile quiver remains. Having said that, there are a few more considerations.

DIY

If you are further along in your journey and already have all the basics covered, maybe it’s time to get some really eclectic pieces in your collection. 

There are great deals to be had second-hand, and we’re not talking rare and vintage boards here. 

We are talking about boards that you can experiment on and work on so that you end up with something truly unique.

Yes, Craigslist and eBay are as valid options as any. You don’t have to spend a fortune in order to get a great base board for your imagination to run wild.  

The great thing here is that if you don’t completely mess up the board in the process of experimentation, you can always turn it around and list it back on sale. Heck, you might even make a profit. 

Miscellaneous

Although most of the time, a surfing quiver is built around surfboards, don’t let that stop you from reaching out and expanding to mitts, paddles, and handplanes. 

Happiness is found in small things. Both in the big and small things, actually. If you are indeed committed to being a surfer and have the means, just go all out. 

In Closing…

Are you a rider that’s big on surf travel? Have you tried a mid-length at hollow waves? You just might be missing that one particular board, and then your surf quiver will be complete. Until next month that is. 

The ultimate quiver and the perfect surfboard are always just out of reach. Whether you have one board, are looking for a great second board, or want a new fin setup, the perfect surfboard quiver is always something that’s on your mind. 

We just have to come to terms that the perfect quiver does not exist, but then again, those who aren’t chasing perfection will never reach it.