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Surfboard
A surfboard is a narrow plank 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 hee nalu'' in the Hawaiian language, and were usually made of wood from local trees, such as koa. They were often over 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. Unlike soft top surfboards, hard top surfboards are also covered with layers of fiberglass cloth, polyester or epoxy resin. The result is a light and strong surfboard that is buoyant and maneuverable. Recent developments in surfboard technology have included the use of carbon fiber and kevlar composites, as well as experimentation in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Surfing
Surfing is a surface water sport in which an individual, a surfer (or two in tandem surfing), uses a board to ride on the forward section, or face, of a moving wave of water, which usually carries the surfer towards the shore. Waves suitable for surfing are primarily found on ocean shores, but can also be found as standing waves in the open ocean, in lakes, in rivers in the form of a tidal bore, or wave pools. Surfing includes all forms of wave-riding using a board, regardless of the stance. There are several types of boards. The Moche of Peru would often surf on reed craft, while the native peoples of the Pacific surfed waves on alaia, paipo, and other such watercraft. Ancient cultures often surfed on their belly and knees, while modern-day surfing is most often ''stand-up surfing'', in which a surfer rides a wave while standing on a surfboard. Another prominent form of surfing is body boarding, where a surfer rides the wave on a bodyboard, either lying on thei ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Surfboard Fins
A surfboard fin or skeg is a hydrofoil mounted at the tail of a surfboard or similar board to improve directional stability and control through foot-steering. Fins can provide lateral lift opposed to the water and stabilize the board's trajectory, allowing the surfer to control direction by varying their side-to-side weight distribution. The introduction of fins in the 1930s revolutionized surfing and board design. Surfboard fins may be arrayed in different numbers and configurations, and many different shapes, sizes, and materials are and have been made and used. History Traditional Hawaiian surfboards had no fins. On these boards, some amount of control could be achieved through convex hulls and the surfer dragging a foot in the water. A common problem with these early boards was "sliding ass", in which the tail would slip sideways, usually causing a wipeout. The first fixed fin was introduced by surfing pioneer Tom Blake in 1935. In Waikiki, Blake attached a long, dee ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Surfboard Fin
A surfboard fin or skeg is a hydrofoil mounted at the tail of a surfboard or similar board to improve directional stability and control through foot-steering. Fins can provide lift (force), lateral lift opposed to the water and stabilize the board's trajectory, allowing the surfer to control direction by varying their side-to-side weight distribution. The introduction of fins in the 1930s revolutionized surfing and board design. Surfboard fins may be arrayed in different numbers and configurations, and many different shapes, sizes, and materials are and have been made and used. History Traditional Hawaiian surfboards had no fins. On these boards, some amount of control could be achieved through convex hulls and the surfer dragging a foot in the water. A common problem with these early boards was "sliding ass", in which the tail would slip sideways, usually causing a wipeout (surfing), wipeout. The first fixed fin was introduced by surfing pioneer Tom Blake (surfer), Tom Blake i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Surfwax
Surfboard wax (also known as surfwax) is a formulation of natural and/or synthetic wax for application to the deck of a surfboard, bodyboard, or skimboard, to keep the surfer from slipping off the board when paddling out or riding a wave. It is also used to increase grip on the paddle of a surf kayak or dragon boat. Surfboard wax is generally composed of a mixture of paraffin, beeswax or other hard waxes; petroleum jelly can also be added to create a softer wax. Often scents like coconut or bubblegum are added. There are natural alternatives which contain only organic substances (e.gSurf Organic like beeswax, vegetable oils (such as coconut or hemp oil), pine resin, tree pulp and natural essential oils. There are surfboard wax formulations designed for various climates and water temperatures. Removal A plastic scraper (typically found on the back of a wax comb) can be used to remove surfboard wax in large chunks. Residual wax that has not been removed by scraping can be removed ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tom Blake (surfer)
Thomas Edward Blake (March 8, 1902 – May 5, 1994) was an American athlete, inventor, and writer, widely considered to be one of the most influential surfers in history, and a key figure in transforming surfing from a regional Hawaiian specialty to a nationally popular sport. Assessing Blake's significance, sociologist Kristin Lawler wrote that :Tom Blake is a legendary figure; he's considered the founder of California surf culture. He personally innovated most of what's associated with surfers to this day: he was the first to experiment with making better surfboards, revolutionizing board design in the process with lightweight materials and the fin; he was the first to build a waterproof camera housing and inaugurated the tradition of surfers documenting themselves and their friends; and he was the first among countless surfers to come to write a book on the history and pleasures of surfing. In addition, his personal style became the prototypical beachcomber look, still in effect ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Simon Anderson
Simon Anderson (born 7 July 1954) is an Australian competitive surfer, surfboard shaper, and writer. He is credited with the 1980 invention of a three-fin surfboard design, called the "thruster". Early life Anderson grew up in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney with three brothers. His family lived in a house that overlooked Collaroy Beach. In 1977, he won the junior division at the Bells Beach Classic Easter competition and began shaping surfboards in the Sydney suburb of Brookvale, New South Wales, Brookvale. Career In 1977 he won the Bells Beach Classic competition and the Coke Surfabout in Sydney. In October 1980, after seeing a twin fin surfboard with a "trigger point" fin Anderson had the idea for a new version of the existing three fin design which was later dubbed the "thruster". Anderson created a prototype for the "thruster" design and took it on tour with him to Hawaii and California. When he returned to Sydney, he made two more surfboards with similar designs. In ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mark Richards (surfer)
Mark Richards (born 7 March 1957), known as MR, is an Australian surfer who became a four-time world champion (1979–1982). Youth Mark Richards was born and raised in Newcastle, son of Ray and Val Richards, both keen beachgoers. They worked at the Wire Rope Works, Ray Richards as an accountant, but he wanted more than that career could offer and started a business selling second-hand cars at a time when new cars were too expensive for most people. Together they set up a showroom at the front of Hunter St and lived in an apartment above it. In the late 1950s Ray saw the new balsa and fibreglass mailbu surfboards, which Greg Noll and other visiting Californians had brought with them in 1956. The new boards were shorter and more manoeuvrable than the solid timber boards used until then. He bought himself one, and when he saw how much it impressed people he made a decision to branch into selling them too, buying from early manufacturers in Sydney. So the business came a combina ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
George Greenough
George Hamilton Perkins Greenough (born November 6, 1941) is an influential surfer, known during the 1960s and 1970s for his work in film, and in surfboard design, fin characteristics, and other creations for the aquatic medium. The contributions of Greenough, along with Bob McTavish, to the development of short boards resulted in a number advances in surfboard shaping and other surfing technology. Personal life George Greenough was born in Santa Barbara, California, to Hamilton Perkins Greenough and Helen Marie Greenough, née Jensen. George’s father, Hamilton Perkins Greenough, spent part of his career as a shipwright, building wooden picket boats for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Contrary to what many people have written, George Greenough is not a direct descendant of the famous American sculptor, Horatio Greenough, but they are half second cousins four times removed. George underwent open-heart surgery at age ten and became known as an unconventional "character", "... ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Woody Brown (surfer)
Woodbridge "Woody" Parker Brown (1912–2008) was an American surfer and watercraft designer best known for inventing the modern catamaran. He was also instrumental in promoting the growth of surfing in the mainland United States; among his accomplishment in surfboard shaping was an early fin design. Early life Woodbridge Brown was born into a wealthy family of Wall Street brokers on January 5, 1912, in New York City. By the time of the Wall Street Crash of 1929 he had rejected the trappings of this life, though still benefited from its connections. At this time, he had moved out of the family home and was sleeping on hangar floors, helping with chores with early aviators such as Charles Lindbergh, whom he waved off on his historic 1927 flight to Paris. Aviation Inspired by Lindbergh, he bought a glider for $25 and towed it to California with his new four-year-old stepdaughter Jenny and wife Betty Sellon, a widowed daughter of a retired army officer with a distaste for the gli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acacia Koa
''Acacia koa'', commonly known as koa, is a species of Flowering plant, flowering tree in the Family (biology), family Fabaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is the second most common tree. The highest populations are on Hawaii (island), Hawaii, Maui and Oahu, Oahu. Name The name ''koa'' in the Hawaiian language ultimately comes from Proto-Austronesian language, Proto-Austronesian *''teRas'' meaning "core" or "ironwood"; many names referring to certain ironwood or heartwood species in Southeast Asia and Oceania such as ''Vitex parviflora'' (''tugás'' in Cebuano language, Cebuano), ''Eusideroxylon zwageri'' (''togas'' in Tombonuwo language, Tombonuwo), and ''Intsia bijuga'' (''dort'' in Palauan language, Palauan) descend from this root. The Hawaiian Acacia koa is closely related to a common tree in Taiwan called ''Acacia confusa''. The two species also share a very similar appearance. ''Koa'' also means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior. Description ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tunnel Fin
A tunnel fin is a type of surfboard fin used on surfboards, especially heavy longboards and longboard guns. The weight and length of these boards make it easier to control the fore and aft angle of the tunnel. As the name suggests, it is shaped like a tunnel. Tunnel fins were first used by Richard Deese and Bob Bolen (also known as the Greek) in California during the late sixties and continue to be developed by shapers today. Background The Tunnel fin is based on the principle of the annular wing with the lowest drag and highest lift fin configuration possible. It has no drag inducing fin tips, this is important as it means that rail to rail turning movements are drag-free and effortless. Tunnel fins have the ability to enhance hydrodynamics by slightly twisting the water flow into a vortex as it passes through the tunnel, preventing random turbulence in its wake. The tunnel fin has a large amount of horizontal lift utilizing the hydrofoil principle providing better lift-t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
