Surfboards
have come a long way over the many years since their inception. In fact, the
entire surfing industry has come a very long way, bringing the entire collection
of surf
gear with it.
Let’s take a look back via the might and power of Wikipedia:
A surfboard is an
elongated platform used in surfing. Surfboards are relatively light, but are
strong enough to support an individual standing on them while riding an ocean
wave. They were invented in ancient Hawaii, where they were known as papa he'e
nalu in the Hawaiian language, they were usually made of wood from local trees,
such as koa, and were often over 15 feet (5 m) in length and extremely heavy. Major
advances over the years include the addition of one or more fins (skegs) on the
bottom rear of the board to improve directional stability, and numerous improvements
in materials and shape.
Modern surfboards are
made of polyurethane or polystyrene foam covered with layers of fiberglass
cloth, and polyester or epoxy resin. The result is a light and strong surfboard
that is buoyant and maneuverable. The Polystyrene surfboard was invented by Reginald
Sainsbury of Wilcove, Torpoint in the early 1960s whilst working for the Poron
Insulation company, Millbrook, Cornwall who were looking to expand into the
leisure industry. Recent developments in surfboard technology have included the
use of carbon fiber and kevlar composites, as well as experimentation in
biodegradable and ecologically friendly resins made from organic sources. Each
year, approximately 400,000 surfboards are manufactured.
Great Surfing Quotes
"My passion for surfing was more than my fear of sharks." - Bethany Hamilton
"Surfing is attitude dancing." - Gerry Lopez
"Surfing to me is like playing music. You play different melodies with different boards." - Skip Frye
"Surfing's one of the few sports that you look ahead to see what's behind." - Laird Hamilton
"There are a million ways to surf, and as long as you're smiling you're doing it right." - Unknown Author
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