Surf Smarter, Not Harder

One key feature of our surfboards—and something we frequently discuss in the shop—is how we’ve prioritized early wave-catching.

From my own experience and from observing other surfers, it’s clear that consistently catching waves early leads to greater overall success in the water. Beyond simply surfing well, great surfers are those who catch waves efficiently and get to their feet early.

When you catch a wave early, you can pop up sooner, giving yourself more time and options for how to approach the wave.

Watch experienced surfers like Andy Nieblas and Nathan Adams—you will oftentimes see them sitting out further than the rest of the pack because they know they can get their pick of the set waves that roll through, and then glide into those waves with relative ease.

On the other hand, when a surfer has too little foam under them, it forces them to catch the wave much later in the breaking process. This puts them at a disadvantage, leaving them scrambling to catch up to the section and generate speed. The margin for error becomes much smaller when you catch a wave late and get to your feet late.

If you watch beginners, you’ll often notice that they get to their feet too slowly—one reason they end up riding in the whitewash. It's much harder to generate the speed needed for "good" surfing when you start off late and behind the section. This same issue can affect even competent surfers who are under-foamed for the conditions.

For the average surfer on an average day, the ability to catch waves early leads to longer, better rides, access to the best waves in the set, and more waves ridden overall in a session.

So, how do we help you catch more waves?

By offering boards that provide:

• Enough foam to paddle confidently
• Low, continuous rocker for efficient planing across the water
• An outline that matches your desired surfing style

Once you're up and riding, our boards are designed to give you the right tools—whether you want to noseride, fade, turn hard, get barreled, go fast, or do whatever you aim to do on a wave.

Catch waves early and often on an Almond Surfboard.

What's Next? 

• Take Our Surfboard Matching Quiz
• Browse Our Custom Surfboard Models
• Join the Early & Often Surf Club