We’re always looking for our next magic board, but let’s face it, experimenting isn’t cheap. To increase the odds of picking up a stick that you’ll actually love, we reached out to several board manufacturers for their advice on finding the unique combination elements that will suit your surfing.
Find the right foam and stringer
“The species of wood in a stringer and the layup of the stringer will change the strength and stiffness of your board. There are many options available to shapers to get their desired characteristics to suit the shape and construction.
“The foam type, density, and flexural properties will affect both the feeling under your feet, as well as the compressional strength and how well it supports the load of your laminate. If your foam is soft, it will compress easily and not support the laminate from buckling. Foam that is more rigid will hold up against compressions and support the load of the laminate, but if it is too rigid or dense it will feel hard and dead under your feet, which is the easiest way to tell. Choosing the right foam to work with the construction of your laminate will result in a board that is durable, and feels great when you ride it.”—Hayden Cox, Hayden Surfboards
