What types of Construction do You Like to Surf?

Introduced only a couple of decades ago, epoxy resin is a relatively new trend in the surfboard industry. Traditionally, surfboards have been treated with polyester resin; however, many shapers are now turning to epoxy for its incredible strength and durability. This article talks about the differences between polyester and epoxy resins, the types of boards made using epoxy, the foam options for epoxy construction, as well as its benefits and problems. Traditional vs. Epoxy Construction The typical modern surfboard is made using polyurethane foam and polyester resin. While this combination

proved successful as the standard for many years, the industry couldn’t turn its back to the benefits of epoxy resin and has begun to embrace the idea. To begin with, epoxy resin is a healthier alternative to polyester. When working with polyester resin, glassers must wear masks to ensure that the harmful chemicals won’t damage their respiratory system. For years, manufacturers have struggled to come up with a method of making surfboards that would be less destructive, both to their health and the environment. It seems that epoxy might fit the bill. Epoxy emits 50-75% fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds) than polyester resin, which means a decrease in harmful chemicals in the shop and the environment in general. In fact, epoxy is a common household item, safe to use without a mask and with only moderate ventilation. Also epoxy is lighter than polyester. Under most circumstances, resin makes up a large part of a completed board’s overall weight. Not only is epoxy lighter than polyester, but less is needed per coat. This ends up meaning a lighter surfboard – a big plus for most surfers. The biggest bonus However is the durability and strength of epoxy boards.

Epoxy-Compatible Foams

As discussed above, most surfboards are made with polyurethane foam as their core. Polyurethane (PU) foam has many benefits that have made it a front-running choice for so long: it is very easy to handle and shape, it is inexpensive, and it can be found in several shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, making PU foam requires the use of highly toxic materials, not to mention that it is also highly susceptible to water damage during storage. PU is the most common type of foam used in surfboard construction (it was the only type sold by former blank giant Clark Foam for over 40 years). However shapers are more and more using polystyrene foam, an alternative foam that is lighter weight and not as chemically harmful to those who handle it. The foam technology has been around a while but was not able to be applied to surf boards because it was not compatible with Polyester resin. Now with the introduction of epoxy resin it is quickly becoming the new standard. Polystyrene foam comes in two varieties – expanded and extruded – each compatible with epoxy resin, and each with its own positives and drawbacks. EXPANDED (beaded foam, Styrofoam) Expanded, or beaded, foam (EPS) is a relatively inexpensive and incredibly lightweight surfboard core. Manufacturers produce sheets of EPS by feeding tiny polystyrene spheres into a machine, then introducing steam coupled with a trace amount of pentane gas to expand the beads and mold them to one another. The end result is an open cell foam, meaning that is very water absorbent. To combat this issue, shapers who use EPS foam must add extra layers of fiberglass and epoxy resin to prevent any dings from penetrating deep enough to reach the foam.

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-Continued Pop-out boards are made using EPS foam, because the beads can be formed into specific molds. The soft outer portion of a pop-out is an ideal match for the EPS foam, keeping dings to a minimum and preventing leaks from entering the foam core. However, very few hand shapers use EPS foam, because it is difficult to work with and nearly impossible to fine-tune with shaping tools (the beads retain their spherical shapes so well that any sanding causes whole chunks of foam to fall off, leaving the edges jagged). EPS foam is cheap, light and can be molded into various shapes and sizes. However, in addition to being highly moisture absorbing, beaded foam has a few other noteworthy drawbacks: EPS foam blanks have poor flex patterns and they are more susceptible to dents caused by compression. Again, the extra layers of fiberglass and resin work to prevent these problems from affecting the finished board.

EXTRUDED (closed cell) Extruded foam (XTR) is made using expensive machinery and computers. The machines melt polystyrene crystals down, using additives and a blowing agent to essentially deflate and combine all of the ingredients together. The result is a fluid that expands as it cools, forming solid blocks of XTR foam. The foam is closed cell, so it blocks out moisture – a big plus in the watery world of surfing. The process of making XTR foam is time-consuming and costly. The price of the foam itself, coupled with the fact that most XTR epoxy boards are hand-shaped, does unfortunately lead to a more expensive finished board – but one with several benefits for discerning surfers. Not only is the foam core moisture-wicking and stronger than other types of foam, it is also extremely resistant to dings and compression-caused dents. XTR foam also has a good flex pattern, so it’s responsive on the water. The problem with closed cell foam is two-fold. First, as mentioned above, it is expensive. You will almost always pay more for an XTR board than one made from EPS. Second, there have been reports of bubbles and delamination in the decks of some closed cell boards, caused by gas build-up between the foam, fiberglass and resin layers. However, some companies (such as Channel Islands) have made huge developments in XTR-constructed boards, finding ways to allow the gases to escape without compromising the

integrity of the surfboard. SUMMARY From a practical standpoint, Epoxy boards are amazing. They are much more buoyant

than PU boards, meaning you can ride shorter boards which can in turn enhance performance. This also means one is able to paddle easier with Epoxy boards, which also increases performance as well as the number of waves you can catch and the ability to surf mushier waves. These all lead to an enhancement of fun, which is what it is all about. They are also very durable and maintain their integrity a lot longer than PU boards. However, from a personal standpoint, this surfer has to lean towards PU boards. The feel and flex of a PU board is a feeling that will stick with you. Epoxy boards are great but can have a “corky” feeling to them that can take some getting used to. Also, chop and windy conditions are the Achilles heel for Epoxy boards, and we all know perfect, glassy waves aren’t a 24/7 presence…not by a long shot. So, in conclusion, both technologies present strong reasons for purchasing them. So what is the verdict? Get the board that you have the most fun on and makes you the happiest, because in the end, it doesn’t matter if you are surfing the hood of a car, as long as you are stoked. - http://www.tactics.com/ I have to agree…I like PU better then epoxy. I feel like I don't get the drive (momentum) on an EPS. But with many advances like Hydroflex with Epoxy resin and PU Foam and Proctor surfboards constructions that is EPS but it feels like a PU you can now get the best of both strength and flex like a regular board. - David @ Hawaiian South Shore

Channel Island XTR construction

Straw Hat T-shirts are butter soft easy to care for and unlike other soft cotton tees they don’t stink. Have you noticed your soft cotton tees trap the smell and no matter what you do you can’t get rid of the smell?

I have the same problem with some of my other tees, but the Straw Hat tee don't trap the smell. Check out some of the New Straw hat tees. News Flash….right now we are working on Made in Hawaii Aloha Shirts. These Aloha shirts will be a modern fit so you can look good at work or out with your family or friends.

The Hypto Krypto is the most versatile board in the Haydenshapes range. It has a high amount of volume under the chest which enables it to paddle like a dream. The way you surf the Hypto Krypto is on the open face, where you draw fast flowing lines.

The outline resembles an old school twin fin in the nose, yet it draws back to a tight rounded pin tail. The wider straighter outline up front will give you plenty of speed, yet the round pin tail allows you to turn tight in the pocket. The rocker is flat throughout, although there is a little extra lift in the entry, which helps when taking off late or turning in the steeper sections of the wave. The design of the rocker is focused around speed! You will find you will make sections that you never expect to make. The foil has plenty of volume around the chest and center area of the board, yet it refines out to a thinner, pinched rail to keep the board connected to the wave. The concave runs from a rolled vee in the entry to a slight single blending into a vee double out the tail which gives the board great speed and control from rail to rail. You will enjoy riding it from small average conditions to clean long barreling point breaks.

Hayden Future fin

What Can you Do with Citrus Kool-Aid? Not sure if you knew but I served in the Navy for a while overseas. When serving on a ship we are consistently cleaning and I learn a couple of things to get the job done. One of the things I was really surprised at was how they cleaned brass fittings, like fire hose fittings. They would make a bucket of Kool-aid and soak the fitting over night. The Next day the brass is very shinny like its new!! That got me thinking what else can Kool aide clean. I’ve also been told that it cleans toilet bowels but just make sure check out the ingredients in orange... it's the citric acid that helps to clean your bowl! All

you have to do is sprinkle the contents of the package in before you head to bed, swirl it around with a toilet bowl brush, and let it sit over night. The acid in the drink mix will go to work cleaning away tough stains and build up if you don't have the best water conditions. To Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty) dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to. Before you take my advice on these cleaning tips please know you are responsible for your own cleaning methods. So if you are going to use it on your toilet or dishwasher your responsible for your own actions.

Perfectly Comfortable & Durable Easy to Clean, Antimicrobial, Non-absorbent & Non-slip material

Proudly Made in the U.S.A ECO-FRIENDLY OKA b. shoes are recyclable! When it's time to retire your well loved OKA b. shoes, you can take them to any recycling facility that accepts items labeled as #3 under the International Universal Recycling Code. Alternatively, OKA b.'s can be sent back to our factory where we will happily recycle them into new pairs.

ERGONOMIC FOOTBED The therapeutic principles of reflexology guide the footbed design of all OKA b. shoes. Our enhanced massage beads, arch support and sculpted heel cup will pamper your every step!

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OKA b. shoes are slip-resistant, providing stability

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How do you wax your Surfboard?

I usually wax my board by using the X pattern you see on the last picture. I’ve found it to work the best, the wax seems to have more of a rough surface. The first circular pattern to me seems like the wax gets smeared on and doesn’t have as much grip. The second picture of going in one direction it seems to work ok but if you follow that with a perpendicular direction the wax tends to make nice bumps on the board giving you some extra grip. Check out what the guys at surf science say about what area to wax your board. I tend to wax that optional grip area, so when I do duck dive I don’t slip and end up doing a face planting.

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Hawaiian South Shore

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Your Surf Authority Hawaiian South Shore 320 Ward Ave. 112 Honolulu Hi NOW OPEN SUNDAYs 10-6