FINDING IT HARD TO PICK A SURFBOARD? UNSURE WHICH BOARD OR SIZE IS BEST FOR YOU? TRADITIONAL POLYESTER SURFBOARD OR NEW EPOXY RESIN SURFBOARD? - Let us try and help you with all of these points
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SURFBOARDS
THE MAL OR LONGBOARD - This type of surfboard has a lot of floatation as it normally comes in lengths of 9 foot and longer. They are designed for a unique style of surfing such as hanging ten on the nose of the board. They can be used in a variety of conditions and are very good at getting you into the wave early, often well before it has even broken. They are, due to their size, very slow turning but with this type of surfboard this is all part of the style.
THE MINIMAL - The most popular board with beginner to intermediate surfers although most good surfers keep one stashed away for the days when the waves are weak or small. These boards offer the best mix of Stability, Manoeuvrability, Buoyancy and paddle speed to allow progression towards the advanced levels of surfing. These minimal surfboards are normally between 7 and 8 foot long and normally around 21 to 23 inches in width allowing you to paddle quick, get in to the wave early and carve the face of the wave with relative ease.
A rough guide to sizing with Minimals is below as this is the surfboard that we are most commonly asked to size up for people. For further sizing information on surfboards please contact us on 01743 353776.
7'2" Minimal - suits 11 ½ stone or lighter
7'6" Minimal - suits 11 ½ to 14 stone
8' Minimal - suits 14 stone and above
These sizes are a rough guide and other factors may affect the size surfboard that you choose to buy such as natural ability at board sports and your height.
THE FISH OR FAT BOY - These surfboards are a great stepping stone from a minimal to get you riding a shorter surfboard allowing loads more manoeuvrability but keeping some of the stability and bouncy due to them being nearly as wide and thick as a minimal. These surfboards also allow advanced surfers to have a board that goes well in weak or small surf. They are generally between 6'4" and 7' and your size and ability will determine which size you would select
THE SHORTBOARD - The type of surfboard that most surfers aspire to ride. Super manoeuvrable and easy to paddle out through big surf these surfboards lack a lot of the stability of the bigger boards but then the surfer using it should be competent enough to cope with this. These boards come in hundreds of lengths, widths and more importantly shapes.
POLYESTER OR EPOXY SURFBOARDS?
We have introduced the New technology of Epoxy Resin Surfboards into our stores and it has caused some confusion. The basics behind it from a consumer angle are that it is cheaper, stronger and lighter. Why then, you may think, would I buy a polyester surfboard instead? Well the difference is Feeling! A traditional polyester board has a flex pattern that can't be rivalled by the cheaper Epoxy Boards so it depends on your level of surfing as to whether or not this is an important factor. For, example a beginner or intermediate would not really notice the difference in performance between the two types of surfboard construction and might actually feel the benefit of the surfboard being stronger and more resistant to dings. If you feel you would like to discuss the pros and cons of Polyester surfboards against Epoxy surfboards then feel free to give us a call on 01743 353776
For those of you who want a bit more detail on the differences between the two types read on:
Polyester resin is relatively easy to work with and has been used for surfboard construction since the 50's. Recently epoxy has become more common in the surf market. Although it is more difficult to work with- it cures more slowly and at higher temperatures, it has several advantages over polyester resin. Epoxy resin is stronger and more resilient than polyester. It is also environmentally friendlier since it emits less volatile compounds during manufacturing and often lasts much longer than a traditional polyester board. Epoxy sandwich construction has been around for a while. A light foam core is sandwiched with high-density foam sheets and reinforced with glass and epoxy resin. To make the sandwich, the board has to be vacuum bagged or compression moulded. This process is more labour intensive than conventional polyester construction. The result is a lightweight board with a tough outer shell. Epoxy sandwich construction is the most common construction method for windsurf boards and is now becoming more and more common in the surf market. Most sandwich epoxy boards are made in overseas factories and are basically copies of the master shape designed and shaped by the shaper resulting in a cost effective way to get us all out surfing on top shaped surfboards at a fraction of the price (- source: www.epoxysurf.com)
