There’s nothing like catching a wave. Wind in your hair, the power of the ocean behind you; it’s a power trip comparable to nothing else – the bigger the wave the better! The most important part of that experience is your trusty vehicle – the board. Whether you’re a noob looking for a beginner-friendly board or a pro surfer trying to catch an even bigger wave, this article will help you learn about the myriad choices you have when it comes to picking suitable surfboard materials.
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How Did We Invent Surfboards?
The first surfers were arguably Hawaiians. They rode the waves on heavy surfboards made of wood. Rather than surfing for fun like most modern surfers, the Hawaiians took surfing very seriously – much like music or art in Western culture.
When modern culture was introduced to surfing, we started to refine the surfboard. This is a process that started over a century ago and is still going on now. We’ve gone from the graceful yet clunky wooden boards of ancient Hawaii to lightweight modern machines that are still able to harness the power of the ocean.
Most Common Surfboard Materials
Surfboards are quite varied. The average surfboard you’ll see on the beach is probably made of one or more of the following materials:
- Expanded Polystyrene(EPS) or Polyutherane(PU), which is commonly used in surfboard cores
- Wood, either used for the stringer (the line that runs straight down the middle) or for the entire board
- Plastic for the rails (the side of the surfboard)
- Fiberglass for the top and bottom
- Epoxy resin for surfboard coating
- Carbon Fibre to add a degree of firmness or strength at certain points on the board.
Each of these materials has its benefits and drawbacks, which we’ll go over in more detail below.
Wooden Surfboards
The first surfboards were made of wood, and this is still a popular material to this day. Wooden surfboards are often quite heavy, but they’re also very strong. They’re a good choice for experienced surfers who want a surfboard that will last a long time.
Most wooden surfboards have a wooden core. You could, in theory, create a wooden board with nothing but wood and natural oils. Fiberglass could also be used to strengthen the board and keep it in top shape.
Wooden surfboards are usually coated with epoxy resin to protect them from the water and to keep them looking nice.
Pros:
- very strong;
- surfboard shape is permanent;
- surfboard shape doesn’t change over time.
Cons:
- heavy and bulky;
- the board will eventually break if mistreated.
Foam Surfboards
Foam is an excellent choice of surfboard material for surfers who want the surfboard to be light and buoyant while they’re surfing in the ocean. Surfboards are made of several types of surfboard foam, with the difference lying in the preferred application of the board.
The first foam surfboards were made of polyurethane foam encased inside a polyester resin. Polyutherane isn’t a particularly sturdy material, however, so these boards were ‘soft rides’. Modern foam surfboards commonly use epoxy resin and prolapse polystyrene (PPS) foam instead. This combination isn’t just sturdier, it is also better for the environment since the process to create the board emits less harmful chemicals.
Pros:
- very light and buoyant;
- beginner-friendly.
Cons:
- surfboard shape doesn’t change over time.
- less durable than other surfboard materials;
- can be damaged by sunlight and weathering.
Carbon Fiber Surfboards
If you’re looking for a surfboard that is both strong and lightweight, surfboards made of carbon fiber are an excellent choice. Carbon surfboard boards are very strong for their weight, and this makes them a good option for surfers who enjoy surfing fast.
However, this surfboard material isn’t just strong. It’s also expensive, which means that you should be prepared to pay more money to the manufacturer if you want a board made out of 100% carbon fiber.
While carbon fiber is expensive, the potential gains in board strength are good enough for most manufacturers to include some carbon fiber on their boards to reinforce them.
Pros:
- surfboard shape doesn’t change over time;
- strong and lightweight.
Cons:
- expensive to manufacture.
Fiberglass Surfboards
Most store-bought surfboards employ fiberglass as a component, with the core’s type determined by the type of resin and foam used. This material has been used to make surfboards for over 50 years and it is still going strong. EPS boards use resin, while PU boards utilize foam. Both types of boards usually include fiberglass cloth as well.
The average fiberglass board has a polyurethane foam blank core. The core is shaped either manually or by machine, then lined with some fiberglass cloth and sealed with PU resin. The entire thing is then sanded and smoothed for that shiny finish.
One of the benefits of fiberglass surfboards over some of the other surfboard materials is that they are very strong and can last a long time. Fiberglass surfboards are also easy to repair, which is great news if you want to surf for decades without having to buy a brand new surfboard every few years.
Pros:
- very strong and durable;
- surfboard shape doesn’t change over time;
- easily repairable.
Cons:
- Very common; difficult to stand out
- Might be a bit bulky
How To Choose The Right Surfboard Material
Your surfboard choice should be based on how much experience you have, your preferences when surfing, as well as your beliefs as pertains to environmentally friendly manufacturing.
Depending on your surfboard experience and preferences, you may be looking for a one-size-fits-all surfboard that suits your skills and will last year after year. This surfboard can be made of PU or EPS foam and fiberglass material.
If you want to surf in the colder seasons, surfboards finished with epoxy resin are excellent choices since they tend to resist delamination, a common occurrence in cold weather. These surfboards are also lighter and easier to carry around in general.
If you’re a beginner surfer, you’ll want to look for a surfboard that is made of lightweight and buoyant materials. Foam is often the best surfboard material for beginners because the boards are easy to paddle and catch waves with.
Remember, the choice of surfboard material is also an environmentally friendly one. If you’re looking to purchase a surfboard made of sustainable materials, surfboards made out of wood and wood-like materials (such as bamboo) are some of the most sustainable out there. Switching to wood isn’t recommended for beginners who aren’t used to wood, however; a wood surfboard handles quite differently than an EPS or PU one, for example. Wooden surfboards are recommended for experienced surfers who are trying to surf more sustainably.
When picking a surfboard to use, always remember that it’s you that rides the wave with it and no one else. Pick a surfboard that you’re comfortable with – one that reflects your personality, style choices, experience, and morals.