Surfboard Materials

The materials used to create surfboards have been responsible for the most recent advancements in surfboard building. No longer are surfboards mainly being produced with polyurethane foam cores and an outer shell of fiberglass cloth and polyester resins. Here are the main options:

Glassing (Fiberglass & polyester resins)
Fiberglass & polyester resin is the standard option for shaping surfboards and has been the proven material since the 50's.

The following are the general options for glassing:

  • Light - for performance, mainly used for competition surfboards;
  • Medium - The standard for production surfboards, for the all round surfer;
  • Heavy - Extra strength, less prone to dinging;
Finishing:
  • Wet Rub - Matt (standard finish);
  • Polish - Gloss (give the surfboards a shine);
Epoxy
Epoxy is a type of resin (liquid chemical) it is not foam or fiberglass. Epoxy surfboards tend to be stronger, more resilient to dinging and much lighter than standard surfboards (polyester). Epoxy is more difficult for shapers to work with and that translates to the price tag, although many surfers see it as a trade off as epoxy surfboards generally have a longer life span. Epoxy offers surfers increased drive off the bottom of the wave, this is accomplished by a slight flexing action (similar to a snowboard).

Carbon Fibre
The latest surfboard technology. Carbon Fibre surfboards are completely hollow (no foam required). The high temperature fibre placement process gives the carbon fibre surfboards the highest strength to weight ratio available today, again this translates to the price tag. Similar to Epoxy board the Carbon Fibre boards will gain speed through turns thanks to the flexing of the surfboard.

Balsa (Wood)
Balsa wood was first used as early as the 1930s and is still being used to this present day. Generally balsa is the heaviest of the materials, but is still very popular with longboard surfboard shapers.