Things You'll Need:
- Safety glasses
- Template
- Mini saw
- Block plane (small)
- #50 sandpaper
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Step 1
Determine what shape you want the tail to be. Consider the surfing conditions where you will use your board the most. The basic tail designs are squash or square, pintail or swallow tail. Choose the one that will work well with your local conditions.
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Step 2
Create a template of the tail shape you want. The best way to make a template is to trace the tail shape you want off an existing board.
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Step 3
Place the template on the tail end of your board and trace the shape. Line the template up to the center of the board and trace each side. Make the lines dark enough that you can easily see to cut.
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Step 4
Use a mini saw to cut along the lines you just traced.
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Step 5
Smooth the edges of the cuts until blended with the sides of the board using a small block plane. Pull down and off the end of the board with the plane rather than shaping up the board.
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Step 6
View the board from different angles in sunlight or bright florescent lighting to look for imperfections. Smooth these areas out using #50 sandpaper.
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Step 7
Learn more about the different tail shapes by reading online at websites such as Surfing-Waves.com. See Resources section for link.
