Smaller boards are also a wiser choice for those who like directing the board more by shifting body weight instead carving with the boards edges. Twin tips have a turned up tip at both ends and allow the rider to use the board in either direction. Twin tip boards generally have a side cut very close to a standard snow board and are controlled much like a snow board also. Square tails work well for general sandboarding and especially for race purposes where the board will only be ridden in one stance. You will tend to maneuver the square tail with your legs more.
Some riders say it feels more like skateboarding than the others.
Swallow tails add an additional element for turning similar to surf or snow boarding, plus it makes your board look more tech. What ever shape you choose you must have a turned up tip at the nose. With out the upturn your board will dig hopelessly into the sand every time. The nose can be rounded or slightly pointed but must be a minimum of 2 in. above the sand surface. Some dunes hold more air between the grains of sand than others and your board will sink in deeper.