What material are surf boards made of?
The traditional surfboard has a polyurethane (PU) foam core and is coated with fibreglass and polyester resin. The polyurethane (PU) board has ruled the market as the most popular foam option for a long time, but EPS, which gained popularity in the late 90s, is also commonly used. Though slightly different from PU, the performance attributes are just as notable. Even top-level elite surfers will sometimes prefer to use EPS/Epoxy boards over PU/PE for certain waves or conditions.How to tell if a surfboard is epoxy or PU (poly)? Epoxy surfboards are opaque and more durable than PU surfboards, which are more fragile and have a clearer resin. Epoxy surfboards are lighter and more rigid than PU (or polyurethane) surfboards which are more traditional in construction.With their increased buoyancy, epoxy boards are more difficult to duck dive, and for some surfers, feel too light when cutting through the water. They have less hold in the rails, less flex, and less memory foam making them stiffer and harder to turn.
How to pick a surf board?
VOLUME AND RIDER WEIGHT The volume of a board is determined by length, width and thickness. Boards with more volume are easier to learn on and progress. Boards with less volume are harder to learn on but easier to do turns and duck underneath larger waves. If in doubt, beginners should choose boards with more volume. For beginners, the more volume, the better. High volume surfboards are more stable and make it easier for you to takeoff. More volume also means easier paddling. As you advance, you should try boards with less volume. They are more agile and better for faster turns.If you’re a beginner, choose a longer board. Longer wakeboards are more forgiving. Their larger surface areas require less energy to stay atop the water, which provides an easier and more enjoyable learning experience for new riders.A taller surfer is able to unleash more power in pivoting turns, carves, and top-to-bottom maneuvers than a shorter surfer. Consequently, they can generate more spray and displace more water than anyone else in the game. The second advantage is paddling power.Longer surfboards are generally easier to paddle. Their buoyancy and size make them more efficient in the water, allowing you to cover more distance with less effort. This is particularly beneficial for beginners who need to conserve their energy while learning the fundamentals of surfing.The more volume the board has, the easier it is to paddle. It provides better stability, allowing the surfer to paddle with less effort and maintain balance while waiting for the next set of waves. A board with adequate volume makes it easier to paddle through surf zones and currents.