We've had a bunch of folks walk into the shop lately harboring a little bit of confusion about surfboard construction. If you've been surfing for a while you may already have an opinion on which is the best. However, if you're new to the surf lifestyle, you still may have some question on which type of board is best for you. With that being said I am going to do my best to explain some of the different kinds of boards that we have available for you here in the shop. The two biggest categories of board construction are epoxy and polyurethane or simply PU. And to break it down further we have hand shaped/glassed boards versus molded boards.
Now Epoxy boards on the other hand can be made from two different core types. Those types are expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene. Expanded polystyrene or EPS is very similar to the foam used to make those cheap, white coolers that you get at the grocery store. If you are buying an entry level epoxy board you can basically count on it to be expanded polystyrene in the core. These epoxy boards hold up well when paired with epoxy resin. Just make sure that if you crack your expanded polystyrene epoxy board, which is hard to do, that you repair it before taking it back into the water as the foam will absorb water.
Extruded polystyrene is a closed cell core and since it is “closed” it repels water and is more resistant to compression and damage. One of the most notable differences from the Expanded Styrene Cores is the flex patterns are greatly enhanced due to its closed cell structure which will allow for greater response under pressure and are comparable to traditional PU flex patterns. All your higher end epoxy boards utilize this type of construction. An example of this type of board is the Lost XTRs that both Steve and I swear by.
Now a good hand shaped epoxy board, like an XTR, is made very similarly to a traditional PU board. The only differences being the type of core used and the type of resin used. They are very common amongst big brand name shapers and are widely available and customizable due to the fact they are all finished by hand. Now a molded board is created based on the dimensions of a traditional fiberglass plug. The hollow mold is then injected with the polystyrene foam to mold it into shape based on the master, and then covered with several layers of fiberglass cloth, epoxy resin, and typically a layer of high density foam to reinforce the structure and placed in a vacuum or press to compress all the materials together, hence the term sandwich construction. Typically a heating element can be built into the mold to allow the epoxy resin to cure at a higher temp increasing the strength. The techniques employed during these steps can be varied by different companies to get the desired strength, flex, weight, etc..
To break it down and try and make it as simple as possible I'll list each board's strengths and then an example to check out.
Traditional/PU- The way it's been done forever, lots of natural flex, good feel in the water.
Example- Traditional Stewart PU- Polyurethane foam glassed with polyester resin is still the most popular form of surfboard construction. This method is most common in shortboards, where weight is not an issue. Polyurethane foam is also great for traditional style longboards. The weight of the foam and a heavier glass job help with the momentum and glide. The familiar and comfortable feel of polyurethane boards keeps many surfers loyal to this longstanding method of surfboard construction. If you are looking for a handmade, custom board with a traditional feel and excellent performance characteristics, the classic poly surfboard is a viable choice.
Hand shaped epoxy made with closed cell foam- similar feel to a traditional PU board with extra durability, extra float.
Example- Lost XTR- XTR foam is a closed cell foam extruded at high speeds using expensive machinery. The main advantages are strength and imperviousness to suck water . It is very resistant to impact and compression. One of the most significant and most misunderstood qualities of the close cell construction is that almost no water absorption occurs in open dings (less than 1%). This means that a surfboard with a ding will not gain weight or change color resulting in longer memory (resilience) of the materials. Believe it or not you can actually surf an unglassed XTR blank!!! Also, the flex patterns of extruded foam when glassed properly can result in enormous advantage for a positive responsive surfboard. It generates more speed that any other construction. Epoxy Pro has developed it's own custom epoxy resin formulation called XTR-16. This resin is ideal for extreme surfing conditions. It has perfectly balanced optimal characteristics of clarity (lack of discoloration), light weight, strength, and flexibility.
Molded epoxy made with EPS- Very light, easy to maneuver, amazing durability, extra float, great for beginners, kids, and recreational surfers.
Example- NSP-This construction is used exclusively in the NSP program. It focuses on making the surfboard a durable as possible. The EPS core is reinforced with Fiberglass and then a top sheet of Top Sheet is added to enhance the overall strength of the board. All the layers are fused together using a special epoxy resin that helps to create what we think is the most durable performance orientated Surfboard construction available on the market globally right now.
If you already knew this then I'm sorry for wasting your time and if it helped you figure some things out, then I'm stoked I took the time to spell it all out. Little tiny waves today and for the weekend. Don't forget the Dew Tour is happening tomorrow and Saturday. Tickets are still available so go support skateboarding! We got 3 riders in the contest so best of luck to Dave, Nolan, and Nora. Go get em team.
Enjoy the day!!!
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