Tails & Rails

Surfing Tutorials – Understanding Surfboard Elements & Design

Swallow Tail: A swallow tail has two distinct points, and is shaped like a “W.” The inside and outside outline can either be straight, or rounded. A swallow tail allows the outside rail of the board to be the longest it can possibly be, providing speed and drive, while allowing release in the center, thus creating the effect of two separate pin tails. It is commonly used on boards that are either Twin Fin, and/or Quad Fin setups.

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1.      Timmy Patterson’s S-Twin model (left) is designed to be ridden as a Twin + Trailer, but you could also ride it as a normal Twin Fin. The tail has slight curvature inside and out, and you will notice the wing, above, which will be covered in a different section.

2.      Aipa’s Modern Swallow model, (right) can be ridden as either a Twin Fin; a Twin + Trailer; a Quad, or even a Thruster. The lines of this tail are very straight.

3.      Gerry Lopez’s “Little Darling” model (right) can be ridden in all of the same configurations as the Modern Swallow, but notice the shallow swallow and curved rail lines as they flow to the end of the board.

Three different boards, with three different approaches to the Swallow Tail, from three different master shapers, demonstrating three different philosophies.

The above boards show the versatility of the Swallow Tail design. All three boards featured are described in greater detail in our 2026 catalog, available here on the site.