June 7, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Mathew Roda

Surfboards sure can take a beating, yet eventually they have to be replaced. They can lose some of their buoyancy after a while especially if there are enough nicks in them. It can be unsafe to use an old surfing board because you may not realize that it is not stable until you fall off or hurt yourself while surfing. A new surfboard will provide you with a stable surface to stand on and you will be certain that it will properly stay afloat. It may difficult to control an old surfboard that has been used a lot because it may have too many scratches and holes.

Surfing boards have foam in the middle that is covered by either epoxy or fiberglass. The fiberglass or epoxy is then sealed. Fiberglass surfing boards are the most common boards, but epoxy boards are growing in popularity because they are lighter and faster. After you determine which material you want when you are going to buy surfboards, you then decide what size and shape of board you want. The most common board is the longboard surf board because it provides the maximum amount of support for surfers and can be ridden even in small waves. You can look for a local surfing boards shop to find a variety of longboards.

If you already have a surfboard that is long, you may want to consider transitioning from a longboard to a retro fish longboard or a shortboard. If you have been surfing for a while and have been mentored by a professional surfer, you will want to discuss the possibility of using a retro fish longboard or a shortboard. These types of boards will help you surf faster and do cuts and turns in the waves. You should be aware that short boards will require you to be able to adjust your body quickly so you can continue to ride them.

San Diego is a popular place for surfers to congregate because of the sunny weather and moderate climate. You will need to wear a wetsuit because the ocean water is quite cold. If you are in the market for a new surfboard, you will find a plethora of places in San Diego to buy surfboards. If you are not sure about what kind of wetsuit you should buy, you will want to ask a professional to help you. The best place to shop for surf gear is an online surf shop because you will have so many choices.

Matthew Roda is freelance writer, a beginner surfer, and a supporter of the San Diego surfing company degree33surfboards.com. At Degree33, you ride & LOVE their surfboards or they’ll buy them back. Their Website offers surfboards sales that are out of this world - for beginner to advanced surfers. They offer surfing longboards, shortboards and so much more!

Article Source: Mathew Roda

How to Buy a New Surfboard

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May 19, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Rob Wang

What type of surfboard do I need? If you’re fresh to surfing, your best bet is to pick up a longboard or a foamie (soft top). Cruise over to your local surf shop and have them pick out a board that will suit your frame and build.

While it’s tempting to pick up a shortboard-who wouldn’t want to be shredding up waves-starting off on one is generally frustrating enough to stop most newbies from ever trying again. So unless you’ve got the learning curve of a surfing GOD, a longboard’s consistency and stability is what you’ll need to improve quickly.

A quality longboard will last you a lifetime. Even after you become a better surfer, longboards are ideal for small wave days and teaching visiting friends, family, and groms how to cut their first wave.

What’s a leash? Its a rubber cord that ties your board to your leg. Leashes keep your surfboard from floating away from you or shooting out from under you and into someone’s face.

Do I need one? Having to chase down your surfboard gets old pretty quick. Get a leash.

Why do people use surf wax? Normally your board will be extremely slick and next to impossible to grip when wet. Wax fixes that. If you aren’t a big fan of wax, you can always look into a traction pad for your board.

Traction Pad? These is a grippy foam plate that attaches to the surface and towards the rear of the board. They function just like wax.

Water temperature: The water temperature will determine everything from the kind of protective gear you wear to the wax you use For convenience, the guide below is grouped by the type of surf wax you want to use. Make sure you’ve got the right wax for the water conditions you want to surf; otherwise it’ll fleck right off.

• Tropical 75F+: The water is as warm as its gonna get. You’re probably gonna want to keep it to a boardshorts and a rash guard-this’ll keep you from looking like you’re allergic to sea water once you finish catching waves. If you find yourself shivering in the water, you may want to invest in a “shortie”, a 2mm thick wetsuit with short sleeves and legs.
• Warm 65 to 75F: You can get away with just wearing board shorts and a rash guard on good days, but you’re gonna want a Springsuit for the chillier days. Springsuits look like wetsuits with short sleeves or legs, depending on personal preference. They’re typically 3/2, (i.e. the base layer of the suit will be 2mm thick with an additional protective 1mm wrap around specific areas like the knees and the chest).
• Cool 60 to 65: - Your best bet is to check out a full wetsuit so you don’t have to suffer.:) The most common varieties of fullsuits are the 4/3, 5/3, and 5/4. If the water only gets colder throughout the year, you’ll want to grab a 5/3 or thicker-just remember, the thicker you go, the harder it is to paddle. For the rest of you, a 4/3 is enough to keep ya warm.
• Cold 60-: Armor up. Hooded wetsuit, booties, gloves. Maybe even a dry suit, depending on how cold you want to go. Note that at the upper 50s, you can still get away with wearing a full wetsuit, so don’t shell out the extra cash if you don’t have to.

Rob Wang is a San Diego based writer with a predilection for surf, greasy food, and sleep deprivation.

Content graciously provided by: http://www.Degree33Surfboards.com

Article Source: Rob Wang

I Want to Start Surfing! A Quick and Dirty Beginner’s Guide to Surfboards

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May 10, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Rob Wang

You feel your gut drop as your board plunges down a solid 10 foot wall of water. Your breath is coming out in short jolts as your heart slams against your ribcage. Your every instinct is telling you this could be the end of you.

You kick out your heels and lean into the wave as your board shakily catches and then blissfully holds onto the base. You sweep the nose of your board away from the shore and off towards the horizon, where the wave continues to build before you.

All you can hear is the breathy roar of the ocean behind you and the rapid adrenaline fueled bass of your heart pounding in your ears as you fight to keep your board from getting sucked into the blue green sheet in your periphery.

Salt water is streaming into your eyes, but you don’t have time to fix it; gotta focus. You brush your hand against the curtain of water to your right and a brilliant spray of white salt water lets you know you’re slowing down to keep pace with the wave.

Bad move. Something is off. You can hear the crash of the wave behind you getting close. You need to speed up, NOW.

You crouch down: every ounce of your concentration is going into keeping yourself from slipping and losing this moment forever as your board trembles uncertainly beneath you…and then all of a sudden…bliss.

You are surrounded by liquid art, a gorgeous, swirling blue green portal of glass encircling a broad, roughly painted yellow window into the outside world, your world of sun, sand, and palm trees. A thousands suns shine in through the brilliant cascading roof of tumbling ocean. You take in a deep breath and soak in this moment. You wish you could stay here forever.

A blast of fresh air and sea mist from the collapsing wave behind you snaps you back into reality; you snap your board off the lip of the wave and you shoot neatly out of the tube and into the air: shaky, triumphant, and already craving more. This is surfing at its finest.

Experience

Tube surfing is one of the 3 BIG pinnacles of surfing achievement, ranking right up there with hanging ten and surfing MONSTER waves the size of your apartment. The sheer level of skill necessary to successfully ride the tube, especially exiting cleanly, is off the charts and serves as one of the hardest things you can do as a surfer. It is also one of the most gratifying; and recognizing that, many surfers spend their careers paddling after that perfect wave.

Surfing is just one of those sports that you don’t get tired of. Every session out in the water is an open opportunity to experience something incredibly memorable: whether you ‘re standing up for the first time, riding tandem with your girl, or just staring off into the sunset from your front row seat in the water, you leave every session with a memory you’ll never forget.

Community

The nicest part about the surf community, barring a few select individuals, is that it is immediately accepting. Doesn’t matter if you’re barely potty trained, or well into your silver years.

As long as you show your passion for the sport, there isn’t a single surfer out there who wouldn’t be happy to sit down, chill, and chat with you about the finer points of surf, sun, and sand. Surfing doesn’t inspire lukewarm dedication. All real surfers are FANATICS-and after some quality time in the ocean with your board, you will be too.

Cost

As a lifetime investment, surfing is unmistakably one of the best decisions you can make. Wanna be cut and deliriously happy at 50? Ride your board every day.

Unlike sports like snowboarding, surfing comes with a one-time price tag. You buy your board, your bag, and a wetsuit and you’ve got a lifetime pass to surf paradise. Unless you do something catastrophic to your board, you’ll only need to purchase a $1 bar of wax every now and again to keep your board grippy.

With the summer just over the horizon, now is the BEST time to pick up a new board and get started on your grand surfing adventure.

Looking for a new epoxy surfboard? Just looking to buy a surfboard? Let Degree33 take care of you.

Based out of the heart of surf culture in San Diego, Degree33 has been walking surfers old and new through the ordeal of selecting their dream boards for years. Need to figure out what board works best for you? Looking for a brand spanking new, custom board emblazoned with the graphic you designed, your ideal dimensions, and a shape of your own design? Degree33 has you covered on all bases. Save up to 43% over other surf shops and get what you’ve been missing out on.

Contact:
www.Degree33Surfboards.com
Phone: (858) 693 3692
Email: Surf@Degree33.com
7965 Silverton Ave STE 1310
San Diego, CA 92126

Rob Wang is a San Diego based writer with a predilection for surf, greasy food, and sleep deprivation.

Article Source: Rob Wang

Why Buy a Surfboard?

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May 7, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Forrest Ladkin

The Fish Surfboard; what are they and where did it all start? Unless you have lived and breathed surfing for a period of time, this term fish surfboard may be completely alien to you. So here is a brief but detailed summary on everything you need to know about fish.

The very first Fish Surfboard would have been shaped into a PU foam blank some where in the 1960’s, and are still tearing up waves to this day. Some of the basic elements of the Fish has branched off over time, but the Fish is still used for the same waves, famous for its ability to make fun out of even the most sloppy conditions.

The Basic Anatomy of the Fish hasn’t changed a great deal since its birth, I’ll explain its key features and the pros and cons of its design. So really what makes a fish surfboard a fish surfboard? To simplify it really only needs two things. A swallow tail which looks like a W in the tail of the board and an exceptionally wide plan shape generally with the widest point around 3/4 of the way up the board.

So what do these features do and why are they there? In a nutshell the Fish is really a regular short board they has had its nose cut off and rounded (to give the board a tighter turning arc), and then to compensate for this lack of foam they have added a lot of width and usually some extra thickness. So most fish surfboards tend to paddle as good if not better then a regular short board 6″ longer.

So what does an exceptionally wide and short board to for you on the wave? Well like I said before shorter boards are always going to produce tighter turns on the face, then having an exceptionally large wide point produces more curve in the out line of the board. These two things combined offer a highly manoeuvrable board that excels in small waves. The added width gives you stability and paddle power while the curve in the plan shape + shortness offer tight turns.

Coming onto the negatives, one of the only real draw backs is that it is perhaps to manoeuvrable in big waves. As you are surfing larger waves you are obviously moving a lot faster and need to draw big lines in the face of the wave. When riding fish surfboards in large waves they tend to be very ’skatie’ and don’t have a great deal of hold when moving very fast due to its thick rails which become hard to bury in the face to keep you from skating all over the place. When I say big I mean big though, depending on the exact board you can usually get away with riding well over head surf with out to much trouble.

In conclusion the fish surfboard can work for light beginners but tend to be a bit sensitive for most people starting out. Fish’s are perfect for intermediates that still need a forgiving board but have the basics down and want to start putting in some turns. Also experts that want a fun board for small waves can have an absolute ball! The Fish Surfboard is perfect from knee hight to over head.

In conclusion if you find the waves in reality tend to be fat, full and crowded why not get a head start on all the people riding tooth picks and get back to why you started surfing, for fun!

If you would like to know more or want to know good places to buy hit the following link - CLICK HERE!

Article Source: Forrest Ladkin

What is a Fish Surfboard? An Experienced Anatomy

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April 30, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Rene Thompson

Many surfing aficionados often wonder exactly how the board they are riding was built. The process of surfboard design and construction is surprisingly complicated today, especially when you consider that the surfboards used a century or two ago were literally boards cut from a single tree trunk.

While for centuries surfboards were solid wood, the modern era of surfboard design began in 1946, a date which marks the first fiberglass surfboard design. This early style consisted of two hollow, molded pieces with a piece of redwood running down the center for stability. In 1949, the first board with a Styrofoam core was built. This buoyant center was enclosed not by fiberglass but by thin sheets of plywood sealed with resin. The first truly modern boards were built beginning in 1958. These surfboards, designed by Hobie Alter, were produced with a polyurethane foam core and fiberglass shell. Today, nearly every surfboard design uses this mode of construction.

Typical surfboards sold today have a polyurethane core, surrounded by fiberglass and polyester resins. Often, a redwood “stringer,” or stabilizer is contained within the core. The fin of the board is made either of wood or of laminated fiberglass and resin layers. While this basic construction has remained the same for many years, the shapes and styles have certainly changed. Over the past few decades, boards have grown shorter and longer several times, with popular designs including one fin, two fins, or three fins. Today, surfboard makers continue to experiment in the search for the perfect board. Serious surfers may use as many as five or even ten different boards for different surf styles and beaches.

Although there are certainly many brands offering standardized and mass-produced boards, the highest quality surfboards are individually crafted by talented surfboard makers. Although techniques vary from one builder to another, most surfboards are built one at a time starting with the formation of the foam core. Known as a “blank,” most surfboard builders form this core in a large mold that is roughly the shape of the finished surfboard. Liquid polyurethane is poured into the mold in order to form a dense foam. Once cooled, the surfboard core is removed from the mold.

Now, the core is cut in half, from the nose all of the way to the tail, to allow for the insertion of the stringer. The purpose of a stringer is to provide stability, keeping the board from snapping in half. Glued between the two halves, the core is then clamped back together.

Now, it’s time to finish the shaping of the board. The outline is cut and then smoothed into its final shape. Some builders use computer-guided machines to do this, while many surfboard builders often use only their experienced eye to guide the shaping process. The blank is now ready to be covered in a fiberglass and resin shell. The core of the board is covered with a fiberglass cloth, and then a layer of polyester laminating resin. When done, the leg leash and fin are attached to the board. During the final finishing process, excess resin is sanded away, leaving a glossy and perfectly smooth coating.

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Article Source: Rene Thompson

Surfboard Designs

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April 12, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Rene Thompson

A surfboard is a uniquely Californian icon, although surfing actually originated in Hawaii hundreds of years ago. If you’re thinking of taking up the popular hobby of surfing, one of the first things you’ll need to think about is what kind of surfboard to choose. Modern surfboards range in length from 5 to 12 feet, but length isn’t the only consideration to keep in mind.

There are many different surfboard designs, each with their own purpose, advantages, and disadvantages. The three main surfboard categories are soft surfboards, longboards, and shortboards. Soft boards are recommended for beginners, as they are comfortable and very stable. The softer foam reduces the chance of injury when falling off the board. Most soft surfboards are made with foam coated with fiberglass, and measure between nine and ten feet long to assist you with balance and stability.

The longboard is typically the board of choice for intermediate surfers. This board is made entirely of fiberglass, making it much more rigid and harder than the soft surfboard. In ancient times, this style of surfboard would have been carved from a solid tree trunk, and weighed up to 150 pounds. These boards range in size from nine to twelve feet.

Finally, experienced surfers may move on to shortboards, which are fast and maneuverable. They are also difficult to balance on, making them frustrating for beginning surfers. Short surfboards are recommended for those who are ready to start learning tricks or joining surf competitions.

The shape of the surfboard can have an even more dramatic affect on the rideability of the board. The outline of the board determines turning speed and how the board will handle in the water. Within the three main types of surfboard, there are dozens of shape variations that have come and gone over the years.

The most popular surfboard shape for beginners is the ‘egg,’ which has a rounded profile and tail shape. This board is ideal for catching smaller waves. It won’t let you perform the tricks you see in surfing competitions, but it’s a good starter board for those looking to have a lot of fun on the surf. Another popular surfboard shape, known as the Fish, was created in the 1970s and made instantly popular by pro surfer Tom Curren. Shorter than the Egg, this board is designed for surfing smaller waves.

Most longboards, also known as Mal boards, typically have a single fin and a large rounded nose. This surfboard can often be seen in Malibu, where it is used to catch the biggest waves. An offshoot of the longboard, the Mini Mal is shaped like the Mal, but only measures seven to nine feet long. This change in length allows the board to be much more maneuverable. Many of these boards have three fins rather than the single fin of the Mal. The Gun is another mid- to long- surfboard, measuring 7 to 12 feet. Popular on beaches known for big waves, such as Waimea Bay, this board is shaped like a shortboard, but has the length of a longboard or Mini Mal.

Surfing is a sport that can be enjoyed at virtually any age and can quickly become a lifestyle or a way of life. Whether you live on the beach in California, or daydream about laying out on the white sands of Hawaii, summer makes thousands of people think of the time-honored tradition of surfing.

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Article Source: Rene Thompson

Types-of-Surfboards&id=4076185

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March 30, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Tony Gowen

There was a time when surfboards were made of wood and the surf spot line ups were empty. From those days forward surfboard builders went in search of lighter materials to improve the performance. The answers came in the form of polyester resin that originally hardened in the sun but later was modified to a catalyst in order to control the process of hardening better.

Today not too much has changed in the mainstream of surfing although new resins and core foams have entered the scene, many people agree there is no reasonably priced alternative which means it looks like good old polyester resin will be around awhile longer. When it comes to fixing your surfboard the basic elements remain the same too. Strangely enough resins were originally Sun powered and in the past few years it made a comeback in the repair world. I prefer it for the simplicity factor and that it eliminates that nasty catalyst necessary to harden conventional resin.

Here is what you need to fix your board:

Resin: Sun activated type when possible 100 grit Sandpaper, just enough to rough up the area and remove any loose particles fiberglass cloth to cover dings bigger than half inch or 1.25 centimeters. If the ding is deep some foam filler is good to keep the repair light.

Then Working in the shade: Clean, dry and lightly rough up with sand paper the surrounding repair area. Apply a filler if needed and allow to harden before applying the final coat. If fiberglass cloth is needed apply a light pre-coat of resin, then the fiberglass. Then thoroughly apply resin to saturate the cloth filling the ding to original volume.

Some things to consider If you are using sun activated resin it’s best to work in the shade and then move the repair to the sun for hardening.

A helpful trick of the trade is included in many repair kits - clear plastic! When the final layer of resin is in place the plastic is layered over it firmly to smooth the resin during the hardening process! Smoothy sheets can save you from extra sanding since they often result in a perfect finish! I recently came across a repair kit that has all the goods needed to get results like I mentioned above. It’s called Phix Doctor, but what I liked most about it was that it uses earth friendly packaging resulting in 80% less CO2 emissions than conventional repair kits. This means Surfboard repairs have gotten easier thanks to sun powered resin and earth friendlier too!

http://phixdoctor.net/

Article Source: Tony Gowen
Surfboard Ding Repair Gets Easier and Environmentally Friendlier

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March 25, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Cameron Branston

Surfing is a sport that has ancient roots and was always close to nature. When the native Polynesian races needed to cut a kona tree for the purpose of making an olo board, a ceremony was organized as to ask for forgiveness for this act.

Surfers are usually quite involved and active with environmental issues but the surf industry that moves more than 7.2 billions dollar a year has a strong carbon print.

Nowadays surf boards are made from modern components, all issued from the petrochemical industry. Most of these products have a strong environmental impact from the foam blanks, to the fiberglass, the resin and even wax.

To this point, surf industry has not found a way to produce a 100% eco-friendly surf boards but there is ways to manufacture them in a less toxic manner.

The first point concerns the foam blank itself. To this point, blanks are made from the mixing of various chemicals, including the very carcinogenic Toluene disocyanate which react to each other by expanding. Surf industry is now using more and more polyurethane surf blanks which is a bit less toxic than polystyrene. About 40% of a surf foam blanks end up in landfills. A southern California company now recycles old and wasted blanks to create new ones, with the same characteristics as the classic ones. Also some researches are done on working with biodegradable natural components such as crushed agave cacti to produce blanks that can be hand shaped the traditional way. Balsa wood boards are also a solution, as long as the balsa is farmed in a sustainable way. Look at what Australia is doing, I click.

Once a surf board blank is shaped, it has to be laminated with layers of fiberglass and resin to make it durable. Fiberglass manufacturing is a toxic industry but could be easily avoided with the use of bamboo to laminate the boards. Bamboo is easily grown and does not harm the soils. Its mechanical characteristics make it great for laminating surf boards, as it keeps some flexibility and is actually more resistant to impact then the traditional laminating process. A Hawaiian surf board shaper has been using it with success for more than a decade.

Another toxic material used is resin. To this point, there is no escape to using it. Polystyrene blanks need to be laminated with polystyrene resin. When using a polyurethane blank, it is epoxy resin that is needed. This epoxy resin gives out 50 times less VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) than the classic polyester and is less carcinogenic. Surf boards manufactured with epoxy are much more resistant then polyester hence making it a more eco-friendly product with this increase in durability. A bio-epoxy resin is now also used but it only has 30% of bio components. A lot of research is also made on a 100% soya based resin fine for the laminating.

For more info on surfing click.

There is a lot of solution for a greener surf industry but effort have to be made from the base of the industry itself, the shapers and also by the surfers that have may have to consider to put an extra dollar to get a sustainable product.

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Article Source: Cameron Branston

Surfing and the Environment: How Shaping Boards Can Make a Difference

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