Making surfboards over the years gives one the vantage point of seeing some of the various design applications that developed and became popular, coming in and out of vogue at various times.

One of those features is the Tail Block. An application to the tail of a long board that could add strength to the vulnerable corners of the square tail designed surfboard. As well, add not only strength but be an attractive element.

For the most part the first application of the tail block was wood. After shaping the board, we would cut back a small section of the tail and apply a piece of wood to the foam that replaced the part that was cut off and shape that wood piece feathering it seamlessly into the exact shape of the board. 

It could be a simple one piece of wood or layered pieces glued together. The sky was the limit on creativity.  All dependant on wherever the shaper/craftsman’s ideas and abilities took them.

I worked for a surfboard company that used High Density colored foam to add some strength and an eye-catching element to not only the tail but the nose. The tip of a nose is another area vulnerable to damage and the high-density foam was some added strength there.

A number of years ago I got the brainy idea of pouring a little colored resin left over from a colored board lamination into a small tray that was close to the size of a tail block. The tray would get a layered accumulation of the various colors over time. When the tray was full, I’d use the then solid piece of layered colored resin for a tail block. 

The Tail Block, it takes extra time to put a tail block on a board. You can’t be in a rush. It definitely adds an element of creative interest. A good reason to do it…. If you can.

D.R.