A perfectly executed 3-Board Quiver will ensure you are prepared for any conditions you may encounter throughout the year.
It’s important to carefully select your three boards, each with a clearly defined purpose.
Board 1: The Daily Driver
A strong foundation is the basis of every good quiver. It would be best to have a Daily driver board that will work in the conditions you will most likely face. It would be best if you spent the most time on this board.
You will spend so much time with this board that you will know it by heart. You know where it excels, and you also know its limitations. This surfboard is a perfect representation of your surfing style.
Some of you will choose a longboard. Some people prefer a mid-length board that is versatile. If you’re a long-time shortboard and your Daily Driver is a smaller board, like a small fish, then it might be the right choice for you. What you choose depends on how and where you surf. Find the board that is in the middle of the Venn Diagram and get comfortable with the equipment.
Your daily driver may change as you go through different phases of your life. My 6’0 twin fin fish was my daily driver in my early 20s. In my late 20s, it was a Surf Thump 9’7″. In my mid-30s, I’m riding the 6’6 Pheasant.
Board 2: The Compliment
You need to know what limitations it has. Surfing is a sport that relies heavily on our ability to adapt our equipment and approach according to the day’s conditions.
If you have a heavy-nose rider as your daily driver, then it’s likely that you are looking for something else to ride on the more giant waves.
If your daily driver is the 5’8 Special recipe Fish, your next most significant need may be an R Series Joy to take your kids surfing or a 7’6 Joy when waves are too small for your Special Recipe.
Again, we are trying to cover as many situations and conditions of surfing as possible with three well-appointed boards. Board #2 should fill a common but different need.
In my quiver, my 6’6 Pleasant Pheasant would be my first choice. Board number two, however, must be a longer board because I am likely to find that the waves on many days are too small for my 6’6 “. My favorite model is the Surf Thump, so my second board in my quiver — the board I use the most — is my 9’4” Surf Thump.
What is your most pressing need? This is where you need to start your search for a second board.
You should be able to cover most of your surfing needs all year round once you’ve got a good 1-2 punch. You can surf on the beach 90% of the time and still have fun.
There are still 10% more days to go…
Board #3: Reach for The Stars
After you’ve covered your basic needs, board #3 allows you to stretch a bit.
You may already have a mid-length board and a longboard (as in my example), but you need something to use when the waves get big. For instance, you might want – like me – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – _ Arrowhead.
You may have the Lumberjack, Sandia Fish for your 1-2 board and a Pleasant Pheasant as your travelboard.
The Board #3 will help you relive your childhood with something you can grab when the waves are really big. Reclaim something you thought existed only in your warm summer memories.
My personal board number three is the R-Series 5’4″ Secret Menu. This shape/model has been my favorite for years… especially when the waves are shoulder-high and rampy/peaky… like riding a board on a skatepark. These days are rare, but they’re a real treat when they happen.
What is the ultimate goal of this Three Board Quiver discussion?
All these things will help you achieve year-round surf success and maximum enjoyment.
You should be able to look at the waves and know which board you need to grab. Then, go with respect and consideration and catch more waves than anyone else.
The best all-around surfers can match their equipment to the conditions and read the waves to predict what they will do next. They also know how to ride the waves with speed and precision.
We say it every time, but the goal for any surfer is to be proficient on a variety of equipment. The more equipment you know, the longer you will be able to stay in the water.
