If you’ve ever taken a look at vintage surfing photos, then you might have noticed people using huge wooden boards for almost every kind of sport. Back then they wouldn’t have cared about whether something was designed as a longboard, a windsurfing kit or a paddleboard because they probably only had one thing.
Now, though, we usually try to make the sport a little safer. I took a look at a number of paddleboard height and weight charts and found that there are actually some sizes that should work for either.
So can you use a longboard as a paddleboard? Yes, if your longboard is around 27 lbs. and about 4½” thick, then it might work the same as a board that’s designed for a capacity of around 245 lbs. Judging by manufacturer’s charts, a board that’s 4⅘” thick and weighs less than 30 lbs. should work the same as a board designed to hold upwards of 275 lbs. or more.
That should be more than enough for many surfers, but keep in mind that you’re looking at some fairly beefy boards with these numbers. Paddleboards tend to be around 32″ wide, which might be too much for some riders.
Surfers who already love really huge classic boards shouldn’t have much of a problem, since any paddleboard they’d buy would have pretty similar dimensions anyway.
What’s the Difference Between a Surfboard and a Paddleboard?
You might say that all paddleboards are surfboards but not all surfboards are paddleboards. Then again, some people really don’t like anything besides a longboard to ever get the surfboard name, so you might want to watch your nomenclature around some seasoned veterans of the sport!
Assuming that the two are both made of modern epoxy-based materials and they’re both the same size, there really isn’t all that much of a difference. A lot of paddleboards are going to have some extra features on the deck to help your feet grab hold of them, which isn’t normally something you’d find on a traditional surfboard.
You might want to think of it as something like a bit of extra thick grip tape that you might stick on an unfinished skateboard deck. Some riders don’t really like this textured area, so you might not even notice if you weren’t riding with it.
Fin straps and the front nose might be different on some longboards, since they’re designed more for carving than a paddleboard would be. Judging by some of the surf catalogs that are out there, though, the gap is really starting to narrow since some manufacturers have started to make paddleboards that are more streamlined than some carvers.
What Kind of Paddle do You Need?
The biggest thing is to make sure that the paddle is long enough for you, since you don’t want to have to lean over to try and sink the blade into the water. Then again, don’t pick one that’s so long you can’t swing it with ease.
Normally, you’ll have to try out a few in person before you can find just the right one. You’ll probably want something that’s lighter on weight, especially if you’re a relative newcomer to the sport, but again this depends somewhat on your body shape.
If you have a fairly large frame, then you’ll probably want to get one with a larger blade too. The blade of the paddle is what gives you the force to move through the water, so having one that’s large enough to move you and your board comfortably is pretty important.
Can You Use a Windsurfing Board as a Paddleboard?
Considering that windsurfing gear has a whole bunch of hardpoints that are installed so you can mount your kit on it, you might find that they weigh seemingly a ton more than a traditional longboard or even a proper paddleboard. If you stripped your board down, then there’s a good chance that the grommets attached to it would still kind of weigh you down.
That’s especially true if you’re paddling out to larger waves and plan to try and cut into them. You’d have to have some real core strength to do that!
That doesn’t mean you can’t use a windsurfing board, though, if you do make sure to take all your unnecessary gear off of it and pick a board that’s got more than enough buoyancy to keep you afloat as you ride. It’s not going to hurt the board at all, so it’s become kind of a popular custom mod for surfers who like to experiment with different pieces of gear.
Some surfers take care to pick just the right board so they only need to lug one piece of equipment around with them to the beach!
How to Use a Longboard or Windsurfing Board as a Paddleboard – Eight Big Tips
If you’ve got your sights set on using one board for a whole mess of sports, then you might want to try out some of these tips before you ever get your feet wet:
- Find a longboard with a volume around 85-100L, so it’s at least somewhat close to that of a paddleboard
- Pick a board made from a higher density foam to reduce the risk of sinking
- Put in some extra practice time on fundamentals like floating, because these are going to be rougher with a different board
- Check your board’s construction to make sure it’s sturdy enough for paddling
- Use something with a slightly flat rocker, since paddleboards tend to curve less than longboards
- Strip out any unnecessary gear used for windsurfing if you’re taking a board out of your kit
- Don’t try to push things too far at first, because it can take a lot more work to get one of these boards to work
- Match the right kind of paddle to your board, especially if you need something with a little extra power to set your makeshift rig into motion
