Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which surfers paddle into, or are towed into, waves that are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or towboards. The size of the board needed to successfully surf these waves varies by the size of the wave, as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach it. A larger, longer board enables a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits maneuverability and surfing speed.