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Surfboards: Foam Board
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Published: January 18, 2007
Surfing forever changed with the release of the foam surfboard in 1958. The first foam surfboards were designed and manufactured by friends, Hobie Alter and Grubby Clark. They shaped the foam into a surfboard and coated it with fiberglass. Little did they realize that their creation would radically change surfing into a world wide industry.
Within a year of their creation foam boards were in such high demand that they brought surfing to a whole new level. These new boards were easier to make than the prior wood surfboards. The new boards resulted in lowering prices and making surfing a more affordable sport. Surf shops opened up along both coasts of the United States making surfboards more accessible.
Surfboards are constantly evolving through experimentation with different materials and shapes. Surfers experiment in hopes to make better and stronger surfboards. One popular new trend is designing boards using environmentally friendly materials.
Most foam surfboards are made from either polyurethane or polystyrene. Polyurethane is the most commonly used foam. There are two types of polyurethane foam: TDI and MID. TDI foam is used for the core of almost all U.S. made boards. It is light and makes surfboards faster and easier to maneuver. Recently, the chemical has been found to cause respiratory problems during production when the TDI is heated to shape the surfboard. It is also toxic to the environment.
MID based foam is less toxic to the environment than TDI based foam and is being used as a replacement. MID foam is similar to TDI and is light in weight, making it a great material for surfboards.
Polystyrene foam is similar to the foam used to make fast-food containers. A board is made with this type of foam by forcing the foam through a small opening and allowing it to fill the shell of the board. This technique creates directional properties in the foam that are similar to wood or a honeycomb. This type of board also has a greater resistance to breaking.
Foam surfboards can suffer dings and broken fins when used in surfing. Many damages can be fixed with the right materials and tools. There are two types of resins used to fix dings and broken fins: polyester and epoxy resin. Polyester resin is appropriate for polyurethane surfboards. Epoxy resin is known as the cure all of resins because it has the ability to repair both types of foam boards.
Today, many surfers are choosing to buy custom built surfboards. Not everyone fits the general size and skill level of most boards. Many surfboard companies offer services to make surfboards as unique as needed. A custom built board is a great way to get the correct needs and individual specifications that different surfers require.
Sources:
Dixon, Peter. The Complete Guide to Surfing. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons P, 2001.
Gallagher, Chris and Moriarity, Jay. The Ultimate Guide to Surfing. Harper Collins, 2001. 30-33.
Custom. Point Blanks. 14 Dec. 2006 < http://www.pointblanks.com/boards/custom.shtm>.
Foam. Point Blanks. 14 Dec. 2006 < http://www.pointblanks.com/technology/foam.shtml&g t;.
"Surfboard Blanks." Fiberglass Supply. 9 Nov. 2006. 14 Dec. 2006 < http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Bl anks/blanks.html>. l
Wipe Out for Famed Surfboard Maker." Glasgoaccess. 8 Dec. 2005. 16 Jan. 2007 www.glasgowaccess.org.uk/news/Business_284/Wipe-ou t-for-famed-surfboard-maker_223996.html.
Within a year of their creation foam boards were in such high demand that they brought surfing to a whole new level. These new boards were easier to make than the prior wood surfboards. The new boards resulted in lowering prices and making surfing a more affordable sport. Surf shops opened up along both coasts of the United States making surfboards more accessible.
Surfboards are constantly evolving through experimentation with different materials and shapes. Surfers experiment in hopes to make better and stronger surfboards. One popular new trend is designing boards using environmentally friendly materials.
Most foam surfboards are made from either polyurethane or polystyrene. Polyurethane is the most commonly used foam. There are two types of polyurethane foam: TDI and MID. TDI foam is used for the core of almost all U.S. made boards. It is light and makes surfboards faster and easier to maneuver. Recently, the chemical has been found to cause respiratory problems during production when the TDI is heated to shape the surfboard. It is also toxic to the environment.
MID based foam is less toxic to the environment than TDI based foam and is being used as a replacement. MID foam is similar to TDI and is light in weight, making it a great material for surfboards.
Polystyrene foam is similar to the foam used to make fast-food containers. A board is made with this type of foam by forcing the foam through a small opening and allowing it to fill the shell of the board. This technique creates directional properties in the foam that are similar to wood or a honeycomb. This type of board also has a greater resistance to breaking.
Foam surfboards can suffer dings and broken fins when used in surfing. Many damages can be fixed with the right materials and tools. There are two types of resins used to fix dings and broken fins: polyester and epoxy resin. Polyester resin is appropriate for polyurethane surfboards. Epoxy resin is known as the cure all of resins because it has the ability to repair both types of foam boards.
Today, many surfers are choosing to buy custom built surfboards. Not everyone fits the general size and skill level of most boards. Many surfboard companies offer services to make surfboards as unique as needed. A custom built board is a great way to get the correct needs and individual specifications that different surfers require.
Sources:
Dixon, Peter. The Complete Guide to Surfing. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons P, 2001.
Gallagher, Chris and Moriarity, Jay. The Ultimate Guide to Surfing. Harper Collins, 2001. 30-33.
Custom. Point Blanks. 14 Dec. 2006 < http://www.pointblanks.com/boards/custom.shtm>.
Foam. Point Blanks. 14 Dec. 2006 < http://www.pointblanks.com/technology/foam.shtml&g t;.
"Surfboard Blanks." Fiberglass Supply. 9 Nov. 2006. 14 Dec. 2006 < http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Bl anks/blanks.html>. l
Wipe Out for Famed Surfboard Maker." Glasgoaccess. 8 Dec. 2005. 16 Jan. 2007 www.glasgowaccess.org.uk/news/Business_284/Wipe-ou t-for-famed-surfboard-maker_223996.html.
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