Bing Pintail Lightweight Longboard Review

The Bing Pintail Lightweight is one of those magic longboards that reacts to small movements allowing for high-performance maneuvers, but you can also dance your way to the nose for a classic noseride. Folks often wonder if Bings are worth the investment. Are Bing surfboards as good as people say? This board is easily one of my favorite boards I’ve ever owned and I am stoked to go through all the details of what makes this board so special.

History of Bing Surfboards

 

Bing Copeland first opened his doors in 1959, building legendary boards that the company is known for. After a chance encounter in Mexico, Bing Copeland turned over the factory to Matt Calvani in the early 2000s. Matt has been a key factor in the company’s resurgence due to his impeccable board-building skills. Known for creating boards such as the Bing Levitator, Continental, and Collector, Matt Calvani has become a staple name in the world of surfboards.

The Pintail Lightweight has been a featured model in the Bing factory for over 52 years. Dick Brewer created this board template in the late 1960s. With the pulled-in tail, downward rails, and narrow nose, the shape was modern compared to other longboards at the time. In the early 2000s, Matt Calvani decided to keep the basic template of the Pintail but add his own characteristics to the design, making the board what it is today.

Bing Pintail Lightweight Surfboard

The Shape

Once Matt Calvani took over the Bing factory, one of his first projects was updating the Pintail Lightweight. He decided to add a bit more width to the tail and nose while adding more rocker to the board. Unlike the traditional nose rider, you’ll find that the board rails are shaped down at a 60/40 ratio allowing for a good mix of maneuverability, stability, and added rocker with a flat bottom.

The template of this board shines in many areas, but it is most well-known for its blended concave and unique tail. The concave at the nose of the board is slightly deeper due to the rocker and continues just past the middle of the board. As you get closer to the tail, you’ll notice a rolled V rather than a panel V. Meaning there is less hold and more forgiveness in the tail. That softer rolled V paired with the edged-out rail at the tail of the board makes this board so agile and easy to turn.

How does a Pintail surf?

The best part about the Bing Pintail Lightweight is simply how easy it is to surf. Granted, this is no beginners log; however, if you are someone that could consider yourself an intermediate surfer that is looking to get into longboarding, this could be a great option.

Traditional logs are meant to have a ton hold and can often be difficult to maneuver without years of experience or technique. The Pintail Lightweight is the perfect board to surf as you’re transitioning to longboarding because you’ll easily be able to turn the board, cruise down the line, and practice cross-stepping along the deck.

The Pintail Lightweight surfs so dang good. The board sits higher in the water and paddles incredibly into anything from ankle biters to head-high sets. This is the type of longboard in which you can complete a big bottom turn, make it past a section, walk up to a cheater 5, and cut back into the pocket. While it’s not necessarily meant to nose ride, this board is nothing less than a blast to ride. Unlike the traditional log, the board goes fast down the line and can handle steep drops. If you’re someone that enjoys high-performance technique, going fast, and wants to work on their rail-to-rail game, it’s a great option. Respectively, the Pintail Lightweight can easily become your new favorite stick in the quiver.

Construction

Like the other boards at the Bing factory, the Pintail Lightweight is produced with Polyurethane blanks that are made via solar power energy here in the US. These boards are meant to last as long as you can take good care of them and keep them out of the sun and away from major dings. PU foam is a closed-cell foam that won’t absorb water like EPS foam if you get a minor ding. The cell structure is also tighter on PU boards, so they will absorb vibrations more efficiently and cut through the chop better. The wood stringer down the center helps retain the rocker shape while adding strength and creating a central point for the board to flex torsionally.

The glassing on the Pintail Lightweight is part of what gave it its name. Matt Calvani decided to go lighter on the glass to increase speed and responsiveness. The glassing on this board is 6+6oz on the deck and 6oz on the bottom, making the board considerably lighter than a traditional log. When picking up this board or attempting to turn it on a wave, you’ll notice the weight difference right away.

Sizing

The Pintail Lightweight is available in sizes ranging from 9’0” to 11’0”. As you go smaller, the board can handle faster maneuvers and beat sections. If you’re looking for an even smaller option, take a look at the Pintail Mini.

Best Fin for the Pintail

Since the Pintail Lightweight is considered a high-performance longboard, you’ll need a fin to match the characteristics of the board. A flexible fin with a wide base and thinned-out tip will only increase your ability to achieve high-performance maneuvers. Check out a True Ames Greenough 4-A. It’s suggested to place the fin in the middle of the box when first taking the board out, then adjust as needed while you feel it out.

All in All

So, are Bing boards worth it? Does the Pintail Lightweight live up to the hype? Absolutely. The Pintail Lightweight is a beautifully made board, but it is one of the most fun longboards you could ever ride. Take it out in head-high surf or ankle biters; you’re guaranteed to have an absolute blast. This board is worth every penny. Treat yourself to a Pintail Lightweight to upgrade your quiver.

If you don't see the Pintail in stock, give us a call, and we may have some on the way or we can get a special order going. If you’d like to connect with our team, email us at support@cleanlinesurf.com or call us at 888-546-6176.