Pintail Longboard Shapes

A pintail longboard is one of the most iconic longboard shapes. The pintail shape has become a classic at Lost Coast Longboarding. This simple tear drop like shape often gives off great beach vibes and a chill style. Although surfboards are not a pintail shape, the pintail longboard is often regarded as a classic surfing shape.

Pintail Longboard Size and Shape

The length of a pintail longboard can vary drastically – from a small 35-inch very responsive carving board to a 5+ foot board that is used for mellow cruising.

The front of the pintail longboard shape is wide making for a great location for the riders front foot. This width is helpful because a rider often rotates their front foot between kicking and cruising. The pintail shape then tapers to a narrow rounded tail. So the back of the pintail longboard is more narrow than the front of the board, often leading to the riders toes and heel hanging over the back and front of the longboard.

This overhang is good because it gives the rider leverage on the deck when turning. And this allows for less pressure needed to turn the board, making for a more responsive feel. The pintail shape has a tail, but it is more of a visual aesthetic rather than a usable kicktail.

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The surface of a pintail longboard is often flat which allows for stable foot placement. This is great for cruising on flat ground and for relaxed riding.

Most longboards and skateboards are top mounted decks, meaning the trucks and wheels are mounted to the bottom of the deck.

The pintail longboard shape falls into the top mounted deck category. This along with small wheel wells makes the pintail shape good for sharp turns and carving.

Having a top mounted longboard has it’s benefits. But it also makes the center of gravity a bit higher which can cause it to result in speed wobbles
at high speeds.

Pintail Longboard Materials

A pintail longboard can be made of a variety of materials. Traditionally skateboards are made of wood. Different brands and different companies use different types of wood to make their longboards. The type of wood used in the construction of a longboard can affect the ride and performance of the board. If a rider is looking to have a very sturdy board that will carry
momentum and speed well than a hardwood would be recommended.

If a rider is looking for a bouncy board with some flex that will absorb some of the bumps of the road then a softer wood like bamboo might be better. Some brands carry longboards made with a variety of composite materials such as a bamboo/fiberglass combination for example. This combination makes for a lightweight but strong longboard that has a lot of flex.

Longboards make of this type of material would also suit a rider that is looking for a board made for pumping. A drawback to a flexy board is that it can sag if the rider is heavier. A board that sags can result in the board that bottoms out and scrapes the ground. This can also result in a less responsive board that can effect the overall riding experience. Also keep in mind that the degree of flex can vary among companies as well.

Looking for a Pintail Longboard?

The pintail longboard is a classic longboard shape that is great for beginners or someone interested in a fun cruising longboard. Here at Lost Coast Longboarding we provide a variety of lengths and materials for pintail longboards. Check out our longboard shop at Lost Coast Longboarding to see what hand painted longboards we have in stock! If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we would be happy to help you with your custom longboard order! We can build a board to suit your needs and we will provide you with a one of a kind longboard complete with museum quality artwork.

Thanks for Reading!

And thanks for your time! We hope this article provided an understanding of the pintail longboard shape. If you have any questions or comments we would love to see them in the comments below!

You can see our hand painted longboards at our Lost Coast Longboarding Shop! We also have hand crafted shirts – all designed and screen printed by us.

If you’d like to see some of our favorite places to cruise on a longboard, check out the links below:

• Longboarding the Wetlands Loop Trail
• Amazing Longboarding Run on Beartooth Highway
• Coal Creek Trail Longboarding Adventure

Not on the market for a longboard right now but would like to help us out? Use our Amazon link to get to Amazon whenever you do your online shopping! It won’t affect your shopping experience but it helps us out a bit. We appreciate it!