Surfboard Geometry and Design Image Source:

Latest Technology Board Riding Source:

 Types of Surfboards  Choosing a Surfboard  Parts of a Surfboard  Surfboard Fins  Fin Configurations  Making Surfboards by Hand  Computer Design and Manufacture Surfboard Geometry and Design

Types of Surfboards Image Source:

The Shortboard Image Purchased by Passy World from Dreamstime.com High Performance, Sharp Nose, Thin Rail Edges, Highly Curved Deck, Three or Four Underside Fins

The Fish Images Source: Google Images Shorter, Wider, and Flatter than the Shortboard; works well in small mushy surf.

The Longboard Image Source: Oldest design, Rounded Nose, Long and Wide, Great for small waves and Beginner Surfers.

The Longboard Source: Brazilian Surfers Nose Riding on Longboards.

The Funboard Image Source: Google Images Smaller than Longboard, thick and long giving Buoyancy volume, paddling power, and stability.

The Gun Image Source: Special Board for Huge Waves. Very Long for Paddling Speed. Designed for very High Speeds and Control.

The Hybrid Image Source: The typical hybrid is a larger and wider version of either the Shortboard or the Fish. Great for medium size days.

Other Types / SUP Images Source: Google Images The Stand Up Paddle Board “SUP” gives four times the Paddling power of a normal surfboard. Tow-In Boards with Jet-Skis used for Big Wave entries.

Choosing a Surfboard Image Source: Detailed Sizing Charts are used for the Type of Board you need for your height, weight, and surfing style.

Parts of a Surfboard Image Source: Changing the Geometrical Shape of each part significantly changes acceleration, stability, hold, and manoeuverability. Fins

The Nose Image Source: Pointy - dropping into big waves, and paddling in chop Round - easier to paddle, glide, and plane on the surface.

The Rocker Image Source: Rocker is the curving upwards of the deck (nose and tail) Fish and Longboard (small waves) have minimal rocker.

The Stringer Image Source: Google Images Stringer - stiffener placed down the middle of the board to strengthen the core and add rigidity.

The Rails Image Source: The “Rail” edges of the surfboard are rounded (“soft”) on Longboards for stability and tracking, but go to a right Angle (“hard”) shape where they meet the bottom of Shortboards to give acceleration and tight turning. Squared off bottom “Hard” Rail profile along the edge of a Fish Board from Nose to Tail.

Tail Shapes Image Source: Round / Pin – stable in big surf, smooth round turns Squash / Square – more lift, plane, pivot, loose sharp turns Swallow / Angular – Quick water release for mushy waves

Surfboard Fins Image Source: Fins are required to turn the board, stop sideways slipping, and hold the board onto the face of the wave.

Surfboard Fins Tutorial Source: There are many Fin Types, Shapes, and Arrangements.

Fin Characteristics Source: There are key measurements which define each fin type.

Foils on Fins Image Source: Fin Profile called “Foil” critically affects turning, hold on the wave face, drive acceleration, and stability.

Foils on Fins Information Source: There are four common Fin Profiles or “Foils”

Foils on Fins Image Source: Drive, (Speed), Pivot (turning) and Hold/Release

Foils on Fins Original Image Source:

Flex and Cant on Fins Original Images Source: Google Images

Detailed Fin Measurements Image Source: htttp://wavegrinder.com

Bulbous Bullet Fin Image Source: htttp://bulletfins.com Fin Base Profile pushes up a “Bulbous Wave” at 180 degrees to the fin cutting wave to create cancellation.

Evolution of Fin Technology Source: The incredible acrobatic surfing we see today is due to the evolution of Fins over the last ten years.

FCS Fins Australia Images Source: htttp://fcs.com.au FCS Fins Australia are world leaders in Fin Technology, and continue to create exciting new products.

Fin Configurations Images Source: Google Images Depending on Surfboard Type, there can be 1 to 4 fins used. (Five fin boxes under the board allows for Tri or Quad).

Bottom Contour Image Source: Bottom contours influence how water travels under the surfboard, and assists lift, planing and manoeuverability.

Surfboard Deck Image Source: htttp://vimeocdn.com Decks are either flat or domed and slippery fibreglass needs thick wax or rubber grips applied to it.

Making Surfboards Image Source: htttp://vimeocdn.com “Shapers” turn a foam blank into a proper surfboard using cutting and measuring tools, sanders, fibreglass, and resins.

Making Surfboards Image Source: htttp://hollowboards.com An order form and detailed plan is used to measure and make each surfboard to the customer’s requirements.

Handmade Surfboards Source: “Shapers” and “Glassers” hand make custom surfboards.

Handmade Surfboards Image Source: “Shapers” use special measuring tools.

Computer Design and Manufacture Image Source: Modern Surfboards are mass produced using computerised design / scanning equipment as well as shaping machines.

Computer Design and Manufacture Image Source: A “real” Surfboard is made by a master shaper and then Scanned to store all of its 3D Geometrical characteristics.

Computer Design and Manufacture Images Source: The Board can be customised and then automatically cut out and fully shaped using computer controlled machinery.

Hybrid Design Images Source: Google Images This design wouldn’t “Float” as a Surfboard, and makes q difficult guitar to dance around with, but is interesting.

Mathematics of Surfing Complete details of all material covered in this presentation can be found in the “Mathematics of Oceans” lesson on the Passy’s World of Mathematics Website: