A surfboard is a long floating deck used to ride or surf the waves. The design of the surfboard is such that a person using the surfboard can make the board traverse on the surface of a wave. Some skill, training and, of course, adequate waves are required in order to surf perfectly and for extended periods of time. Surfing was invented in Hawaii, USA. Early surfboards were made from wood, were about 15 feet long and were very heavy. Surfboards today come in a wide variety of designs and include beginner boards, intermediate boards and professional boards.
Modern surfboards are made from a variety of durable and buoyant materials, including balsa wood, aluminium and sandwich type epoxy boards. Some boards are hollow which allow extra buoyancy and dry transportation. Surfboards can also be made from polyurethane or polystyrene foam and are coated with layers of epoxy resin or fibreglass. Modern surfboards are strong and can easily withstand the weight of a person as he or she surfs the waves.
A typical surfboard has a “nose” at the front and a platform, known as the “deck”, on which the surfer stands. The surface of the surfboard which comes in contact with the water is smooth and has lateral fins located at the rear end. Surfboards used by beginners might have softer fins for better balance. The sides of the surfboard are called “rails”. On the surfboard, towards the rear, is an indentation which is called a “leash cup”. The leash cup is attached to a bar, onto which a rope can be tied. This rope is called a “leash”. The leash can be tied to the surfer’s leg and helps locate the surfboard if the surfer falls into the sea.
Modern surfboards weigh between 4 to 14 lbs and generally vary between 6 to 8.5 feet in length. Longer surfboards have more buoyancy. However, greater skill is required to change directions. Smaller boards are more manoeuvrable but lack buoyancy in rough waves. The surfer’s weight has a bearing upon how much buoyancy is needed and how long or heavy the board should be.
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