The anatomy of a surfboard
Surfboards are complex hydrodynamic objects. They are made for riding waves and traditionally range from 5-to-13 feet, depending on whether they’re shortboards or longboards and guns. Because there are multiple forces acting on them, surfboards have different shapes for different ocean and wind conditions. The core materials involved surfboard shaping have evolved dramatically from the […]
Surfboards are complex hydrodynamic objects. They are made for riding waves and traditionally range from 5-to-13 feet, depending on whether they’re shortboards or longboards and guns. Because there are multiple forces acting on them, surfboards have different shapes for different ocean and wind conditions. The core materials involved surfboard shaping have evolved dramatically from the time they were made of wood, until today’s high-tech components. An experienced shaper transforms a blank into a brand new surfboard in roughly two hours. While he is working, the craftsman keeps in mind four major forces with strong impacts on his product: buoyancy, gravity, drag and lift.
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