The Best Surfboards for the Boom: A Guide to the Equipment You Need to Surf the Boom
The Boom is a legendary beach break in Northern Nicaragua that is home to one of the best barreling sand-bottom waves on the planet. The wave is a swell magnet, so the forecast can often be deceiving. When the rest of Nicaragua’s surf is waist high, the Boom churns out head high and above barrels. This Nicaragua surf break likes a medium swell with a medium-length period; anything above 2 to 4 feet with 12 to 13 seconds will turn the beach into a tube factory. Even when the waves are small, there’s always barrels on hand. So, what type of board should you be riding when you’re surfing one of the best hollow beach breaks on the planet? Continue reading below to find out.
For Advanced Surfers Chasing Tube Time at the Boom Nicaragua
For advanced surfers looking to maximize their wave count and time in the green room during their Nicaragua surf trip, you can’t go wrong with a high-performance shortboard and a step up in your quiver. The Boom is a powerful wave, and even when it’s small, it packs enough push for a refined shape. AS KT Surfing Ambassadors, we love the KT Crusher Five for everyday Boom conditions. Ride it as a thruster at higher tides for maximum pivot on end sections, or a quad when the tide is slow and the waves are reeling down the line. If you’re looking at other boards to bring, look for a board with a decent entry rocker and decent paddle power, something that will allow you to take steep drops and allow you to glide in early.
When the Boom is Maxing
For bigger days surfing the Boom, we recommend sizing up a few inches to help you get in early and set your line for the wave of your life. Whether you're sizing up your go-to shortboard a few inches or looking for a dedicated step-up, like the KT Helix. A proper step-up will have plenty of entry rocker, a pulled-in tail that provides hold on a steep face, and plenty of extra paddle power to help you glide in and set your line.
For Intermediate Surfers Looking to Level Up
Intermediate surfers often want to ride the latest model from their favorite pro shaper. Unfortunately, riding a Pyzel Ghost won’t help you thread tubes or lay down carves like John John. Instead, an overly refined outline with insufficient volume will likely cause intermediate surfers to miss waves or take off too late. Instead of bringing a Ferrari of a shortboard, find a daily driver that provides a few extra liters of foam, without sacrificing maneuverability. KT has their trusty Plate Lunch 4, which features a wide outline, refined rails, and plenty of volume under the chest. Boards like the Plate Lunch 4 or Hayden Shapes’ Hypto Krypto allow surfers to up their wave count while providing a level of stability and forgiveness that doesn’t exist when riding a high-performance shortboard.
The Boom is a world-class wave that often demands respect. Riding the right equipment is the first step to getting the wave of your trip or even your life at the Boom. If you’re ready to start planning your next Nicaragua surf trip, reach out to find out which package is right for you. Whether you’re looking for a guided surf package, want to walk to the Boom every morning, or want to learn from a coach, we have you covered.