Are there advantages to different shaped boards?
While some riders may simply like the aesthetics of a board’s shape, decks are designed with specific uses in mind. Pintail and pointed nose boards are recommended for downhill and carving styles, where speed and economy of space are desired. Boards with kick tails or sharply upturned noses are designed for more aggressive riding incorporating kick turns, quick cutbacks, etc. Boards with wide noses that feature a more gradual rise or flat profile, allow for nosewheelies, or just hanging ten. Some decks feature wheel cutouts. This allows for sharper turns while eliminating “wheel bite” (when the wheel rubs the bottom of the board during turning. See also riser pads below.
