Why do surfers carry the board on their roof racks tail first? Does it make a difference?

Question

Why do surfers carry the board on their roof racks tail first? Does it make a difference?

Answer 1

Usually the board is longer than the roof of the car.  If the tail is in the back and point down, the trunk can whack it.  Tail first will put it over the hood and somewhat safer.

Answer 2

Usually the board is longer than the roof of the car. If the tail is in the back and point down, the trunk can whack it. Tail first will put it over the hood and somewhat safer

Answer 3

It doesn't make much difference.  Some would argue that if the board starts to slip, the straps of the rack will stop the fins if it slides backwards (the only way a surfboard really slides when you are haulin' a$$).

Other school of thought is that you have less drag if your nose if forward and thus less wind 'lifting' your board.

Doesn't really matter either way as long as the boards stay on.