Learning how to ride a surfboard is hard enough. Understanding how and why it performs its magic well, that's REALLY wacked. Nonetheless, it's a vital part of every committed surfer's learning curve. Just as there ain't much sense to be made of a cutback if you can't do it again, there's no point having a killer board if you don't know why it kills.

With that in mind, Surfline.com presents SHAPER'S BAY: the only comprehensive, on-going guide to surfboards available anywhere. Shaper/designer comments on their work are backed up by our exclusive Surfboards A-to-Z definition checklist. (Just click on the highlighted terms for their definitions.) If there's something you don't know about board design, there's a good chance you'll find it here.