(Newswire.net — April 11, 2018) — Surfing has had an interesting journey so far! It has gone through a significant evolution right from the days of the Waikiki Beach Boys to the present. Today, we see an advanced face of surfing and surfboards. Other than being a billion-dollar industry, the sport is known for its aesthetically designed surfboards. The glossy pages of magazines feature expert and amateur surfers showing off their stylish surfboards. What most people do not know is how much these boards have changed over time. Here, we are going to take a look at the evolution of surfboards and how it has impacted the sport.
Surfing offers a sense of adventure and thrill, heightened by beautiful waves. This sport is all about speed. Askthe pro surfers, and you will hear how they love this speed as a way to interact with nature. It is more than just an adrenaline rush. For surfers, a surfboard is a symbolic representation of all these aspects
that has sustained over centuries. The modifications in its design have been growing at a rapidpace, thanks to the new age technology and materials. It plays a crucial role in enhancing the whole experience. Though the sport has not changed much, the surfboard has, adding to the enjoyment and excitement.
Changes: then and now
Almost a century back, surfboards used to be slightly more than finished and even logs.Duke Kahanamoku is considered to be the father of new age surfing. Also, apart from being an expert and legendary surfer, Duke was also an Olympic swimmer. He was the one to introduce surfing to the US mainland. He was known to ride the redwood surfboards that could undertake a surfer weighing 100lbs, and the board was 12 feet long.
However, with the arrival of the 20th century, the design had changed completely. The surfboards were created out of solid and thick wood, and they weighed around 150 pounds, which is almost like the table in your dining room. For some surfers, this change was an overwhelming one. To make this 20th-century surfboard smooth, makers sanded it with coral. After that, the board was stained with charcoal and bark and finally with a layer of glossy nut oil.
In the recent times, a standard surfboard is composed of lightweight and water-resistant polymers, fiberglass and other kinds of synthetic chemicals.
The advent of shortboards
Check out the cover of “The Endless Summer,” and you will know why it inspired many to try surfing, get obsessed with the different kinds of surfboards, or experiment with radical moves. The film also enticed the adventure-seeking riders to opt forshortboardsto enjoy sharp turns. The film was screened before the shortboard revolution, which was prevalent between 1967 and 1970. Post this revolution, these surfboards weighed only 13lbs and was 6 to 7 feet long.
Today in the 21st century, we have several types of surfboards such as the big wave boards. The Gun surfboard is an exclusive type that has a length of 6.6 feet to 10 feet. Its thickness is more than the average shortbread. With this increased length, a rider can catch bigger surfs easily. Stability is the core strength of these boards. The Guns comprise of a wide board and thin tails and noses which lead to smooth movement. Back in 1960’s, there were the big wave riders! Today, our new age technology haspaved the path for enjoying big wave surfing easily.
The era of inflatable paddle boards
Another 21st-century trend that has changed the evolution of surfing is the arrival of paddle surfing on the scene. The first paddle boards were basically oversized surfboards, constructed in the same way with similar shaping features and material layers. Advances in material technology paved the way for inflatable paddle boards which solve the transport problem and let surfers access remote areas. Inflatable paddle boards from Earth River SUP can be used to surf waves and also can be paddled for touring on flat days.
More developments on the way
Today, exciting developments have occurred in the rail curve of the surfboards. There are several types of rail curve available for multiple surfing capacities. For instance, a straight-cut rail helps to take a quick turn. On the other hand, the curved rail eases the down the twists and is apt for beginners. When it comes to the underside, the shapes get cut for redirecting water flow. There is also the double-concave bottom surfboard design that smartly moves water via two small depressions, which facilitates easy management and a smooth ride. Furthermore, a V-bottom provides a V-shape at the center, making mounting vertical waves easy.
In addition to that, the new age designers today have introduced advanced fish boards for riding flat and short waves. There is also the longboard gun that blends in the lightweight element of the shortboard and a long board’s length. Big waves become easy to surf with this, mainly when you are engaged in tow-in surfing.
Surfboards have gone through massive changes over the last 20 years, bringing several types and kinds to the fore! Each model has a niche surfer group to it. Moreover, as surfers graduate in their wave-tackling skills, they will have access to more unique and innovative surfboard designs to select from. The demand for tasteful, sleek and classy surfboards will propel designers to keep coming with advanced models in the future.