If the Small Waves are coveted by the beginners surfers in search of progress, they remain unavoidable during the summer months, and also a good part of the year on the less exposed coasts.

This comparison of Surfboards for Small Waves (Groveler) is here to give you a brief overview of the categories of boards particularly adapted to small conditions, but also to give you ideas of recent, compact and efficient models in small surfing for different types of small waves including typically :

1. The small and weak which stubbornly does not want to break ; 
2. The small molassonne which can be surfed with short boards ;
3. The small hollow and technical without really power difficult to surf ; 
4. The small fast but not too hollow with a little power ;
5. The small Slab barrel..

Seaside [Firewire Surfboards]

Price : 820$
Dimensions* : 5’6 – 21 1/4″ – 2 1/2″ – 32.7L
Category : Fish Performance
Ideal Wave : 2 et 4 – Pointbreak not too soft or too hollow – 2′ to 5′
Technical details : Rob Machado, the designer of the Seaside (quad fin recommended) and famous surfer introduces his new toy as an evolution of the Go Fish model (twin fin only), for more performance: more carves, tighter turns.

• • Shape: Compared to the Go Fish, the shape has been refined: less surface area on the tail, a tighter swallow, a narrower nose and a rounder board outline. The board has been designed to be ridden only with a quad, and for this purpose the concave has been redesigned with a deep double concave around the fin boxes. The double concave is designed to improve the flow of water to the rails in the form of two streams of water and release the flow to the sides of the board. The aim: to increase speed (effect of the concave) and improve the board’s manoeuvrability. Compared to the Go Fish and its deep single concave, the rails grip better and the board is more responsive.
  • Construction : The Seaside (named after Rob’s home spot in California) is built in helium, a Firewire Surfboards construction that targets small waves (very light, reactive, flexible and durable).
  • Fins : It should be noted that the Rob Machado quad fin set designed especially for the SeaSide is available, but at a high price: 150 €.

Analysis : The Seaside is a fish performance board that is usually classified as a small wave board or even a soft wave board (Groveler) but I think it is only accessible to intermediate/advanced surfers for this type of wave. Indeed, it is a board that requires a certain technical background to generate speed, especially in weak waves.
In comparison, a Sweet Potato from Firewire Surfboards will work better in very small conditions (30cm to 1m, even 1m20 soft) and remains affordable for all levels (except beginners) despite its rather short size (max 5’8).

From a more technical point of view: the tail is really very thin, which should allow to keep a very good sensitivity of the board. The rocker is low at the front, with thickness close to the nose, for an easier entry in waves in small conditions.
The board is relatively expensive, but durable and high performance, ideal for small pointbreaks or friendly reef.

In conclusion, the board is made to be surfed short (5’8/5’9 max.), for a good level surfer who wants to go from a shortboard to a high performance fish for a maximum of speed in small AND good conditions, while keeping a good manoeuvrability.

Rocket Wide [Al Merrick – CI]

Price : 745$ (PU) – 820$ (EPS Spine-Tek)
Dimensions* : 5’8 – 19 1/2″ – 2 1/2″ – 30.3L
Category : Small Wave Performance Shortboard
Ideal Wave : 2, 3 et 4 – Pointbreak and Beachbreak not too soft and accepts the small hollow – 2′ to 5′.
Technical details : The Rocket Wide is the little brother of the Rocket 9 for small waves by Dane Gudauskas, the pro-californian surfer with good vibes, with a Viking face and a Freedent White smile.

• Shape : Compared to the Rocket 9, the tail has been widened without being exaggerated, in order to maintain speed in flat sections while maintaining manoeuvrability. The nose has also been widened for a comfortable rowing experience.
  On the rest of the shape, the front rocker is rather light to serve the oar and for an early take-off in small conditions, while the rear rocker is more marked for more radicality.
• Constructions : The two main constructions proposed by Al Merrick are the Polyurethane (PU) and the home-made version in EPS with the Spine-Tek technology visible with the black Stringer that runs the entire length of the board. Note that the Spine-Tek model costs around 150€ more than the PU model.
• Fins : this model is mostly proposed with tri-fins fin boxes. In line with the Rocket 9 and because of its Fishy DNA with its (small) swallow tail, the Twin + Trailer seems to be the best configuration for surfing the Rocket Wide.
  In FCS 2 with the Mark Richards Twin + Stabiliser fine (115€) or in Futures with the Al Merrick Twin + 1 (115€). At Futures, we also find the F Beta Proto 2.0 for maximum drive (135€), the “next level” according to Noël Salas!

Analysis : The technical characteristics of the Rocket Wide make it a real SkateBoard: a short and (relatively) wide board that performs better than the Seaside in small/good conditions, for less pure speed. For expert surfers, it is also an excellent board for aerials. 
It is also worth noting two observations shared by many surfers :
– The Rocket Wide is quite sensitive to the Stance (position of the feet) – like any shortboard – and remains reserved for good intermediate surfers (even more demanding board than the Seaside) who know how to position their back foot at the bottom of the pad.
– The choice of fins seems crucial on this board (more than usual), so I encourage you not to deviate too much from the Twin/Twin+1 configuration.

The Spine-Tek version seems to us to be the most interesting for several reasons: stronger, more durable, lighter, better (marginal) buoyancy and more responsive. On the other hand, the Rocket Wide Spine-Tek recovers the classic drawbacks of EPS boards, namely: less control (not annoying in small waves) and a tendency to chop in windy conditions.
The extra cost of 150€ compared to PU technology seems to us to be worth it in view of its many advantages. Also because of its rigidity, this technology seems more appropriate for heavier surfers (+75kg).

In conclusion, the Rocket Wide is made to be surfed short (5’10 max), for a rather advanced surfer to get the most out of it, rather in a Spine-Tek version for solidity, durability and reactivity. The board is super playful in small but also in good conditions. A twin/twin+1 configuration is recommended.

Gremlin [Pyzel]

Price : 760 $
Dimensions* : 5’8 – 20″ – 2 1/2″ – 31.6L
Category : Groveler
Ideal Wave : 2 et 4 – Pointbreak and Beachbreak not too soft or too hollow  – 2′ to 5′
Technical details : The Gremlin is the small wave board from the “Ghost Family” – the Ghost is the Step-Down/Mini-Gun model for really good waves – from the now famous shaper Jon Pyzel, who helps shape the boards of the best surfers on the planet including : John John Florence, Koa Rothman and Jack Freestone.

• Shape : Compared to its big brother the Phantom, the outline is wider for more surface area and easier wave entry. The front rocker is relaxed (less pronounced than the Rocket Wide) while the tail rocker is more pronounced to keep control.
  The bottom of the board is classic (modern shortboard): single to double concave with a “v” on the tail for a good speed/maneuverability ratio.
  The tail is a squash tail, to keep the speed even in soft sections while remaining reactive.
  The rails are quite thick, for more stability (and forgiveness of mistakes) and more speed.
• Construction : the board is available in PU or EPS (ElecraLite Epoxy) which is less common in Surf Shop. We will focus on the classic PU construction. It should be noted that Pyzel Surfboards uses Arctic Foam (Made in California), an innovative brand of foam made from seaweed and popular with Pros because of its dense honeycomb structure, which provides more flex and resistance than a traditional foam bar.
• Fins : Thrusters (Futures: John John Techflex in Large at 130€) and Quad configurations (Futures: John John Techflex in Large at 130€ + HS 4.20 generation quad rears at 65€).
  Personally, I prefer the Quad configuration for the speed gain (with a handling close to Thrusters) in small conditions and a better grip in bigger waves (4’+).

Our analysis : The Gremlin is a balanced board for small waves (2′ to 5′) particularly adapted for the surfer in progress who has passed the beginner stage but not yet a real intermediate surfer (Rollers, cut-backs and bottoms-turns pushed), in this case it is necessary to choose a Gremlin of the same length as your size.

The Ghost family of Pyzel Surfboards is characterized by an advanced Wide Point for better paddling, which makes the board easier to surf and generate speed. Given the similarities and common DNA between the Ghost family of boards (Ghost, Shadow, Phantom and Gremlin), it can be interesting to build a Quiver around these boards :
– This will allow you to have complementary boards that work in a maximum of conditions;
– To find your bearings when switching from one board to another.

In conclusion, the Gremlin is more appropriated for the surfer in progress (first shortboard) which allows to surf in many conditions (2′ to 5′) with a real ease for paddling (in comparison it makes better than a Rocket Wide which is already a good paddler). Available in XL size for heavier surfers (+185lbs) who want to stay on a short board but with a volume and dimensions adapted to their size.

Demibu [Phil Grace]

Price : 830 $
Dimensions* : 6’4 – 21″ – 2 5/8″ – 39.3L
Category : Performance Mid-length
Ideal Wave : 1, 2 et 4 – Beachbreak pas trop mou ni trop creux – 30 cm à 1m50 (voire 1m80 mou)
Technical details : The Demibu is a high performance Mini-Malibu, shaped by the Australian Phil Grace in the Euroglass workshops in Hossegor (Made in France). Phil Grace is a renowned shaper, co-founder of Quiksilver Surfboards, close to the legendary Californian-Basque surfer Miki Dora, he has been shaping for almost 50 years mainly Longboards, Comfort Shortboards and Single fin boards.

• Shape : This is a hybrid shape that aims for the ease of a longer board (wide nose, flat rocker, full rails) combined with the performance offered by a shorter board (Rounded Diamond Tail, narrow tail, concave single-to-double bottom with a ‘V’ on the tail), in a wide range of conditions.
  The Demibu retains width in the nose for good paddling power and stability in the front end to get out of the hang five. The Rounded Diamond Tail, a compromise between a Pin Tail (grip) and a wider tail like a Round Tail (more surface area on the tail and fluidity in the turns) allows the rail line to be shortened and the pivot point to be brought forward for more radicality.
  The Demibu has all the attributes to improve the glide in small conditions (but not only…) : the rocker is flat at the front and the back of the board, the rails are full but more laid back than classic mini-malibu (for more stability) and the board keeps a good length to facilitate the entry in waves.
• Construction : PU only. The boards shaped in Euroglass workshops are known for their “glass” (a stage in the shaping process which consists of applying the last layer of resin to avoid working the fibreglass fabric layer underneath to guarantee watertightness as well as for aesthetic considerations), a guarantee of solidity and durability (less “pocs” on the board’s deck).
• Fins : 2+1 or Thruster (FCS or Futures).

Our analysis : The Demibu is an ideal board for the surfer in progress who does not have yet the level to pass to the shortboard (in this comparison I will place it before the Pyzel Gremlin in the line of progression of the surfer), not really beginner but not yet intermediate.
Don’t hesitate to take it long enough for progressing surfers (6’10 and +), while intermediate surfers who want more reactivity while keeping some paddling power to handle summer crowds will take it shorter (6’8 and -).

In conclusion, the Demibu is a board oriented towards the improving surfer (not yet at the level of a shortboard) who wants to maximize its wave-to-pleasure ratio in a wide range of conditions (1′ to 5’+). The board is a true wave-catcher with its wide nose and flat rocker while maintaining maneuverability with its rather narrow Rounded Diamond Tail and a performance-oriented bottom. A good alternative to a longboard for those days when you want more manoeuvrability but still want to be able to get a hang five in from time to time or simply want to fit it into a small car.

To summarize, classified according to the level needed, from the most accessible board to the most demanding: 

• The Demibu (Phil Grace) is the board for surfers looking for progression who are not yet at the level of a shortboard and who are looking to get the most out of the waves and the sensations;
• The Gremlin (Pyzel) is the board for surfers looking to progress to a comfortable shortboard and a shorter board for the first really radical turns;
• The Seaside (Firewire) is the board for intermediate surfers who want maximum speed in small waves while keeping a responsive board;
• The Rocket Wide (Al Merrick) is the board for intermediate/advanced surfers who want to enjoy summer sessions with a board that allows advanced manoeuvres and remains relatively comfortable.

*Note : in this article we arbitrarily consider small waves to represent waves ranging from ankle height (30cm / 1ft) to hip height (90cm / 3ft) although these considerations are very different in different regions =).
As always, our analysis is based on our own experience on these boards (rent), feedback from friends, opinions of other surfers (IRL or on the net).

To give an idea of the target dimensions of the models, the typical size will be a rather sporty surfer of about 1M77 (5’10) and 80 kg (180lbs).