A surfboard is a major investment and in order to keep it
in good working order, some simple steps should be taken in
its care and maintenance.
In reality, only pro surfers can afford to replace their
board every six months, so investing the time and money to
properly care for your board will extend its life and save
you money in the long run.
A $30 investment in a board sock should be your first
purchase. When not in the water, you should keep your board
in the sock. 50% of all dings and dents occur when
transporting your board to and from the beach.
If you religiously keep your board covered, it can look
pristine for years. Even though your board is used for an
outdoor sport, the sun and heat are major enemies to your
board’s integrity.
Excessive sun exposure can cause damage to the boards
finish, causing it to yellow and crack. This sort of damage
can eventually cause your board to break and unfortunately
this may happen while you’re in the water.
Even minor dings can eventually cause major damage to the
board. It is important to repair even small dings as soon
as possible. But it is important to wait until the swell of
the board goes down so water is not trapped inside the
board.
Again, this could cause yellowing and compromise your
board’s integrity. Nobody looks cool having their board
break when they are trying to catch that perfect wave.
The wax is one last maintenance check that should be
performed. Periodically strip off the wax to check for
dings and cracks under the surface.
A quick repair will have you back out catching waves in no
time.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Reintroduction of the Long Surfboard
Longboards are the original surfboards used in stand-up
surfing. The original length of a long board varied from
9-24 feet of solid wood.
Though these were more commonly used in the sixth century
by ancient Hawaiians, the longboards of today are made a
much more reasonable length and weight.
The longboard was the standard until the 1960’s when the
shorter version was introduced. The shortboard was more
popular because the size made the board easier to transport
to and from the beach as well as in and out of the water.
The smaller board also offered more maneuverability and
more speed. With the introduction of polyurethane and
fiberglass for the shortboard, the longboard was
refurbished and reintroduced in the 1990’s.
Now lighter, the longboard became more of an interest to
avid surfers. Surfers began to integrate the new attributes
of the shortboard with the sleek lines of the once
dominating longboard.
Modern longboards have become shorter in length, now
averaging 9ft-10ft instead of the original 9ft-24ft. Even
though the long surfboard is now shorter in length, it
still retains most of its original design, including the
single fin for stability.
Because Longboards are not used in competitive surfing, the
need for maneuverability isn’t as high as with the short
board. The longboard has its advantages for the beginning
surfer.
The length and weight of the board make catching waves
easier. Surfers can literally Hang-ten on these larger
boards. This is accomplished by standing on the nose of the
longboard with your toes hanging off the end. By putting
-toes on the nose- a surfer can -hang-ten-.
surfing. The original length of a long board varied from
9-24 feet of solid wood.
Though these were more commonly used in the sixth century
by ancient Hawaiians, the longboards of today are made a
much more reasonable length and weight.
The longboard was the standard until the 1960’s when the
shorter version was introduced. The shortboard was more
popular because the size made the board easier to transport
to and from the beach as well as in and out of the water.
The smaller board also offered more maneuverability and
more speed. With the introduction of polyurethane and
fiberglass for the shortboard, the longboard was
refurbished and reintroduced in the 1990’s.
Now lighter, the longboard became more of an interest to
avid surfers. Surfers began to integrate the new attributes
of the shortboard with the sleek lines of the once
dominating longboard.
Modern longboards have become shorter in length, now
averaging 9ft-10ft instead of the original 9ft-24ft. Even
though the long surfboard is now shorter in length, it
still retains most of its original design, including the
single fin for stability.
Because Longboards are not used in competitive surfing, the
need for maneuverability isn’t as high as with the short
board. The longboard has its advantages for the beginning
surfer.
The length and weight of the board make catching waves
easier. Surfers can literally Hang-ten on these larger
boards. This is accomplished by standing on the nose of the
longboard with your toes hanging off the end. By putting
-toes on the nose- a surfer can -hang-ten-.
Short History Of Surfboards
Like the sport of surfing itself, surfboards were
originally developed in Hawaii. Though the first records of
surfing were by Lieutenant James King who was rewriting
Captain James Cook’s journals in 1779, surfing was already
a part of Hawaii’s history for generations.
The first surfboards were usually made from Hawaii’s local
Koa tree and reached lengths of 16 feet long. Although
extremely buoyant these surfboards were also extremely
heavy.
A 14-foot board would weigh as much as 150 pounds. Modern
surfboards are made of polyurethane or polystyrene and are
covered in fiberglass sheets and coated with epoxy resin.
The result of these materials being used to create the
surfboards ensures a much lighter and even more buoyant and
maneuverable board.
Modern surfboards are also much shorter. They range from 5
to 7 feet and have a more pointed nose than the original
rounded nose of the earlier long boards.
They are not nearly as wide either and this feature is what
makes them more maneuverable. The short board is what you
will see professional riders on during competitions.
Another advancement from the long board to the short board
is the introduction of fins. Fins help the board to -stick-
to the wave.
Fins are placed differently on boards and thus causing
different advantages to their placement.
The most common placement is called the Thruster. It
consists of three fins. One is placed nearest the tail and
the other two slightly forward towards the nose.
The idea behind the placement is to have the
maneuverability of a twin fin and the stability of a single
fin board.
originally developed in Hawaii. Though the first records of
surfing were by Lieutenant James King who was rewriting
Captain James Cook’s journals in 1779, surfing was already
a part of Hawaii’s history for generations.
The first surfboards were usually made from Hawaii’s local
Koa tree and reached lengths of 16 feet long. Although
extremely buoyant these surfboards were also extremely
heavy.
A 14-foot board would weigh as much as 150 pounds. Modern
surfboards are made of polyurethane or polystyrene and are
covered in fiberglass sheets and coated with epoxy resin.
The result of these materials being used to create the
surfboards ensures a much lighter and even more buoyant and
maneuverable board.
Modern surfboards are also much shorter. They range from 5
to 7 feet and have a more pointed nose than the original
rounded nose of the earlier long boards.
They are not nearly as wide either and this feature is what
makes them more maneuverable. The short board is what you
will see professional riders on during competitions.
Another advancement from the long board to the short board
is the introduction of fins. Fins help the board to -stick-
to the wave.
Fins are placed differently on boards and thus causing
different advantages to their placement.
The most common placement is called the Thruster. It
consists of three fins. One is placed nearest the tail and
the other two slightly forward towards the nose.
The idea behind the placement is to have the
maneuverability of a twin fin and the stability of a single
fin board.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Skim Surfboarding
Though the earliest records of skim boarding date back to
the 1920’s, the boards were simple and hard to control.
It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the design for the skim
boards we use today began to take shape. They have now
taken on a shape similar to the modern surfboard only they
are smaller and thinner than surfboards.
The first boards were made from plywood sheets, but now are
being made from fiberglass.
The best board for beginners are square ones, though they
come in circles, ovals and teardrops also. The best size to
start with in most cases stands about mid-chest.
The shapes of the boards determine the ease of control for
the rider. Surfboards and bodyboards, although similar, are
extremely more buoyant then the skim surfboard.
The principal of skimboarding is to hydroplane across the
thin water of a receding wave. Though tricks can be done in
bigger waves, the need for buoyancy is not as great as with
a surfboard.
The best skimboards have a slightly raised nose and
traction pads already installed. Of course traction pads
can be added separately and even surf wax can be used to
help keep feet gripped to the boards.
Skimming across the water is also a balancing act, so a
good sense of balance is also key to perfecting the art of
skimboarding.
Although skimboards have been around for almost a hundred
years, it is a relatively new as a competitive sport. When
riding out on the water on a skimboard, tricks and flips
are attempted when coming into contact with an incoming
wave.
The real trick is in the landing.
the 1920’s, the boards were simple and hard to control.
It wasn’t until the 1970’s that the design for the skim
boards we use today began to take shape. They have now
taken on a shape similar to the modern surfboard only they
are smaller and thinner than surfboards.
The first boards were made from plywood sheets, but now are
being made from fiberglass.
The best board for beginners are square ones, though they
come in circles, ovals and teardrops also. The best size to
start with in most cases stands about mid-chest.
The shapes of the boards determine the ease of control for
the rider. Surfboards and bodyboards, although similar, are
extremely more buoyant then the skim surfboard.
The principal of skimboarding is to hydroplane across the
thin water of a receding wave. Though tricks can be done in
bigger waves, the need for buoyancy is not as great as with
a surfboard.
The best skimboards have a slightly raised nose and
traction pads already installed. Of course traction pads
can be added separately and even surf wax can be used to
help keep feet gripped to the boards.
Skimming across the water is also a balancing act, so a
good sense of balance is also key to perfecting the art of
skimboarding.
Although skimboards have been around for almost a hundred
years, it is a relatively new as a competitive sport. When
riding out on the water on a skimboard, tricks and flips
are attempted when coming into contact with an incoming
wave.
The real trick is in the landing.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Surfboards for the Beginner
If you’re going to become a surfer, the first piece of
equipment you are going to need is a surfboard. Without a
surfboard, you wont be doing anything but splashing around
in the waves.
But on your first visit to any surf shop, you will see the
choices available to the untrained eye can be dizzying.
There are so many colors, shapes and sizes to choose from,
but where to begin?
Modern surfboards are hand shaped by professional shapers
out of foam and coated with fiberglass sheets.
They are hand-painted, usually airbrushed with beautiful
colors and designs. They can be custom made to your
specifications as well.
Before buying a surfboard you should know the parts of the
board. This will prevent embarrassing conversations, as
surfers have a language of their own.
Whether you are searching out a shortboard, a longboard, a
fish or a gun, most of the parts are the same.
From the front to the back the parts are in this order;
nose, rails, deck, stringer and tail. The nose is basically
the pointed tip of your board.
On a Longboard the tip is normally round. The nose of the
other boards tends to be pointed. The rails are the edge of
the surfboard.
They run from the tail to the nose and are used basically
to grip the board. But rail shapes can provide different
performances of your board.
The deck is the top of the board, the main body in which
the surfer applies a wax base for footing grip. There are
domed decks and flat decks.
The domed deck helps movement from rail to rail as the
rider moves across the deck. The stringer is a strip of
material that runs the length of the surfboard.
Its main purpose is to strengthen. Finally the tail is the
end of the board. Shapes of the tail vary and each shape
provides different performance for the rider.
Also on the tail is the leash plug. This is where the
riders leash keeps him attached by the ankle to his board.
equipment you are going to need is a surfboard. Without a
surfboard, you wont be doing anything but splashing around
in the waves.
But on your first visit to any surf shop, you will see the
choices available to the untrained eye can be dizzying.
There are so many colors, shapes and sizes to choose from,
but where to begin?
Modern surfboards are hand shaped by professional shapers
out of foam and coated with fiberglass sheets.
They are hand-painted, usually airbrushed with beautiful
colors and designs. They can be custom made to your
specifications as well.
Before buying a surfboard you should know the parts of the
board. This will prevent embarrassing conversations, as
surfers have a language of their own.
Whether you are searching out a shortboard, a longboard, a
fish or a gun, most of the parts are the same.
From the front to the back the parts are in this order;
nose, rails, deck, stringer and tail. The nose is basically
the pointed tip of your board.
On a Longboard the tip is normally round. The nose of the
other boards tends to be pointed. The rails are the edge of
the surfboard.
They run from the tail to the nose and are used basically
to grip the board. But rail shapes can provide different
performances of your board.
The deck is the top of the board, the main body in which
the surfer applies a wax base for footing grip. There are
domed decks and flat decks.
The domed deck helps movement from rail to rail as the
rider moves across the deck. The stringer is a strip of
material that runs the length of the surfboard.
Its main purpose is to strengthen. Finally the tail is the
end of the board. Shapes of the tail vary and each shape
provides different performance for the rider.
Also on the tail is the leash plug. This is where the
riders leash keeps him attached by the ankle to his board.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wake Surfboards
Wakeboards are used in wakeboarding, an extreme sport which
the rider uses the board to do tricks over the wake of the
boat towing it.
In basic it is a combination of water-skiing and surfing.
The wake surfboard looks like a miniature surfboard with a
rubber mat attached to the deck to make gripping easier.
Wakeboards are made like surfboards. They are usually a
foam core and fiberglass with metal screws to attach the
fins and bindings. They are small, light and very buoyant.
The weight and size make the extreme tricks more
manageable. Tricks range from flips to jumps to anything in
between.
Unlike the surfboard, the Wake surfboard hand fins that can
be changed out. These fins are changed out for various
types of tricks the rider will attempt.
Shallow fins will make it easier for the rider to so
spinning tricks and deep fins are designed more for jumps
and flips.
Riders also choose different sizes other than the standard
size for their height. The board size will also help in
completing tricks and landings and will change the
difficulty depending on the rider’s experience.
So the manufacturers recommended size may not always match
the size chosen by professional riders. The individual
rider can also customize the bottom design of the
wakeboard.
Some may be concave, some may have channels and some may
have nothing at all, making the bottom of the board smooth
and flat.
Each option helps them perform a different function and
indicates how the board glides through the water.
the rider uses the board to do tricks over the wake of the
boat towing it.
In basic it is a combination of water-skiing and surfing.
The wake surfboard looks like a miniature surfboard with a
rubber mat attached to the deck to make gripping easier.
Wakeboards are made like surfboards. They are usually a
foam core and fiberglass with metal screws to attach the
fins and bindings. They are small, light and very buoyant.
The weight and size make the extreme tricks more
manageable. Tricks range from flips to jumps to anything in
between.
Unlike the surfboard, the Wake surfboard hand fins that can
be changed out. These fins are changed out for various
types of tricks the rider will attempt.
Shallow fins will make it easier for the rider to so
spinning tricks and deep fins are designed more for jumps
and flips.
Riders also choose different sizes other than the standard
size for their height. The board size will also help in
completing tricks and landings and will change the
difficulty depending on the rider’s experience.
So the manufacturers recommended size may not always match
the size chosen by professional riders. The individual
rider can also customize the bottom design of the
wakeboard.
Some may be concave, some may have channels and some may
have nothing at all, making the bottom of the board smooth
and flat.
Each option helps them perform a different function and
indicates how the board glides through the water.
Waxing your Surfboard
So you bought a new surfboard and are ready to head out to
catch some waves. First you need to give your board a good
waxing, unless sliding off into the ocean depths is your
idea of a good time.
First you need to figure out just which wax suites your
needs. Not all waxes are created equally and unless you get
the right type, you could have a mess on your hands-and
your feet.
You could start by first asking in your local surf shop
which wax is best for you. But it would be best to know
what you are talking about before you begin asking
questions.
You need to know the temperature of the water you are
surfing in. Water temperatures differ from the Atlantic to
the Pacific and from the North to the South.
This is important is you want to have a good foot grip when
you are up on your board.
Once you have figured out which type of wax to use for
where you are surfing, you will begin to wax your
surfboard.
Begin by rubbing 3in-6in circles from the nose of the board
to the tail. It is important to make sure there is plenty
of wax where your feet will mostly be planted.
Another key spot to make sure you wax well is the side
rails of the board. This is where your hands would normally
grip and the wax will help you when you are out in the
water.
Also, if you are wearing a wetsuit, you can keep a little
chunk of wax tucked away in case you need it while your out
in the water.
catch some waves. First you need to give your board a good
waxing, unless sliding off into the ocean depths is your
idea of a good time.
First you need to figure out just which wax suites your
needs. Not all waxes are created equally and unless you get
the right type, you could have a mess on your hands-and
your feet.
You could start by first asking in your local surf shop
which wax is best for you. But it would be best to know
what you are talking about before you begin asking
questions.
You need to know the temperature of the water you are
surfing in. Water temperatures differ from the Atlantic to
the Pacific and from the North to the South.
This is important is you want to have a good foot grip when
you are up on your board.
Once you have figured out which type of wax to use for
where you are surfing, you will begin to wax your
surfboard.
Begin by rubbing 3in-6in circles from the nose of the board
to the tail. It is important to make sure there is plenty
of wax where your feet will mostly be planted.
Another key spot to make sure you wax well is the side
rails of the board. This is where your hands would normally
grip and the wax will help you when you are out in the
water.
Also, if you are wearing a wetsuit, you can keep a little
chunk of wax tucked away in case you need it while your out
in the water.
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