Tail pads on long boards?

[Heathen]

I was just wondering do many people use tail pad grip on there long boards?

I have been thinking about getting one for mine I am still learning but I thought it might make it easier when going for a turn as I can feel with my back foot if I am far back on the board enough to start the turn.

I don't look down at my feet anymore well most of the time anyway.

[isaluteyou]

not being a longboarder.....

it might make it easier when going for a turn as I can feel with my back foot if I am far back on the board enough to start the turn.

.....sounds like a reasonable idea. However it may be worth finding the sweet spot without. Longboards just dont look right with a grip but who cares if it improves your surfing

[themathteacher]

It would be like placing a piece of tape at the end of a condom, might help but do you really want one there?

[crepuscular]

i've seen longboards who got tail pads on, but very rare...

[isaluteyou]

It would be like placing a piece of tape at the end of a condom, might help but do you really want one there?

Classic analogy

[phillwilson]

funny enough i was thinking of a way to define differant parts of the board by feel, i dont like the idea of a pad, but i thought maybe cross patterning my wax and building it up moch more in the area i want my feet to be might help me get the feel.

[Hang11]

I've got them on a couple of my longboards, but only because my wife used to work in a surf shop and get them for free.

Don't think they make any difference at all, I still end up running off the back sometimes.

[TReMoR]

one i saw a longboard covered in all pads? i dont know.. he had some rectangular pads lined up on his whole board

[isaluteyou]

one i saw a longboard covered in all pads? i dont know.. he had some rectangular pads lined up on his whole board

ya full longboard traction not sure if its effective or the weight issues. perhaps someone who has used it can enlighten us. but i wouldent be keen on sticking my entire board with traction

[Heathen]

yer not sure if its worth it I find most of the time I have time to adjust my feet even if I drop in and the waves turns to wash i try to walk up and down the board the whole ride lol.

But yer last night was not to bad getting in the right place.

So I will see how it goes when he times come when i have to do a real turn.

[themathteacher]

to continue on this subject, I don't use pads on my fishes or guns either, I ride them a little more forward on my foot placement so I would not be on the pad even if I had one.

[parrysurf]

I am thinking of a pad on the nose....so I know when I am hanging ten. Maybe one in the middle so I know where to lay down too! I was thinking about one on my brake peddle too...make sure I am stomping it just right. I am also thinking about one on my wife's crotch....just to be sure I am getting down deep enough.

Maybe no pad.

[Heathen]

Know your just being stupid.

Can you not understand for person learning how this could help?

I am not getting one anyway but no need to be a tool about it.

[themathteacher]

Dude, take it easy, it's actually very funny.

To answer your question correctly since it seems you want an explanation:

Performance longboard surfing requires a foot on the tail, a lightweight skinny and thin board and a bunch of years of training. If you are at that level then maybe you need a tail pad.

However, most casual surfers, experienced at that, don't put their foot all the way back and rather pitch the board for most turns, occassionally walking the plank to avoid wipeouts. So, the answer: you don't need a tail pad, 95% of most longboarders don't. Hope that helps.