MATCH THE BOARD TO THE CONDITIONS, WAVE & DAY.
If you only understand 1 thing, let it be this - if you match the board to the wave type correctly, you will be able to surf the wave well because the board is working well in that wave type.
POINT BREAK
REEF BREAK
ALL KINE BREAK
PEEL
BARRELL / HOLLOW
PITCHING
WALL
SOFT
BIG FACE
SMALL FACE
SECTIONY
DEAD SECTIONS
If you only understand 1 thing, let it be this - if you match the board to the wave type correctly, you will be able to surf the wave well because the board is working well in that wave type.