Surfers Footprint

As a surfer, I am responsible for carrying my surfboard to and from the ocean. Whether I carry it under my arm, on top of my head or in a bag slung over my shoulder, my surfboard seems to get heavier the longer I walk. I often get asked, "How much does a surfboard weigh?" I did some research, contacted a bunch of companies and provided a summary below. In surfing, an average short board weighs 6-7 pounds and an average long board weighs 15-16 pounds. Surfboard weights can vary significantly and will depend on the size of the board, construction materials and accessories. If you would like specific information on different board weights, I have created a couple of tables below with different brands, models and their weights. I contacted dozens of the top surfboard companies and provided the actual weight of 30 different surfboards below. Average Surfboard Weights ModelLengthWeightFirewire Baked Potato (Timbertek)5'5"7 lbsFirewire Cymatic (EPS)5'10"6 lbsFirewire Seaside (EPS)5'10"6 lbsChannel Islands Rocket Wide (PU)5'10"6.3 lbsHayden Shapes Hypto Crypto (FutureFlex)5'10"6 lbsRusty Slayer (PU)5'115.7 lbsRusty Smoothie (Torsion Spring)6'0 6 lbs7S SuperFish (PU)6'68 lbsChannel Islands - CI Mid (PU)7'010.5 lbsWalden Deviled Egg (PU)7'09 lbsGSI Modern Love Child (PU)7'2"11.22 lbsIsle Big Guy Fish (EPS)7'2"10.13 lbsWalden Mega Magic (EPS)9'016 lbsStewart CMP (EPS)9'2"14-15 lbsStewart CMP (PU)9'2"16 lbsRobert August Wingnut (PU)9'2"17 lbs Average Soft Top (Foam) Surfboard Weights ModelLengthWeightChannel Islands Bethany Hamilton (Soft Top)5'6"4.8 lbsCalifornia Board Company Sushi (Soft Top)5'8"6.5 lbsSoftech Bomber5'1012 lbs MF x DHD Twin FCS11 (Soft Top)6'0"7.93 lbsCatch Surf/Lost Round Nose Fish (Soft Top)6'5"9 lbsTakayama Scorpion 2 (Soft Top)7'0"11.24 lbsSouth Bay Verve (Soft Top)8'0"15 lbsGerry Lopez (Soft Top)8'0"13.5 lbs Wavestorm Classic (Soft Top)8'0"12.5 lbs Catch Surf Log (Soft Top)8'0"13.6 lbsCalifornia Board Company Bear Series (Soft Top)8'0"13.5 lbsCalifornia Board Company Bear Series (Soft Top)9'0"15 lbsNSP Soft School (Soft Top)9'2"19.82 lbs What Affects the Weight of a Surfboard? 1. Size The size of a surfboard, including the length, width and thickness will impact the total weight. Longer, wider and thicker surfboards have a bigger foam core which will increase the surface area of the board. More foam will also lead to an increase in buoyancy. Even if a surfboard isn't that heavy, wide boards can be challenging for people with shorter arms because it's hard to carry the board under your arm. You will often see surf schools advising people to double up to help carry the larger boards, with one person in the front and one person in the back. When I was younger, I would just drag my surfboard across the beach because it was too heavy to carry long distances. I don't necessarily recommend that strategy but carrying surfboards is just part of the sport. 2. Construction Materials The construction materials used to make a surfboard will impact its weight. Today, there are many different types of materials used in surfboard construction and it's hard to keep up with all the new designs. The first step is to determine if the outer shell of the surfboard is hard or soft. Hard Surfboards Hard surfboards are the most common type of surfboard. Surfboards in this category are made from an inner foam core wrapped in an outer shell of cloth and resin. When I grew up surfing, there were two different types of hard surfboard construction; fiberglass (also referred to as Poly or PU) or Epoxy (also referred to as EPS). The benefits of the two different foams were as follows: Polyurethane (PU) - higher density, better flexibility, but compresses easierPolystyrene (EPS) - Lightweight, more buoyant, stronger Today, there are several different types of surfboard construction and pros and cons for each. Soft Top Surfboards Soft surfboards, most commonly referred to as Soft Top (or Foam) surfboards, have exploded in popularity in recent years due to their versatility for beginners and experienced surfers. Soft Top surfboards have a foam core but the top layer (called the deck) is wrapped in foam as well. The foam deck is durable and less prone to dents or damage than traditional surfboards. 3. Accessories Accessories are anything that you attach to your surfboard, including, fins, leashes, traction pads, camera mounts, waterproof cameras and stickers. All of these items will add weight to your surfboard. Each accessory may not weigh very much on their own but the combined weight can add up. I keep it pretty simple and when I get a new short board I will add fins, a rear traction pad and a leash. When I get a new mid-length, soft top or long boards, I will install fins and a leash. Why Does a Surfboard Get Heavier Over Time? I have found that my surfboards seem to get heavier over time. There are several reasons why surfboards get heavier and I will discuss the most common below. 1. Water Logged When surfboards are first constructed they are water tight. As a surfboard becomes damaged with small cracks and dings, the outer shell is no longer waterproof. The number one reason why surfboards get heavier over time is because they become damaged and water soaks into the inner foam core. It is really hard to get all the water out of a surfboard once it becomes water logged. You can tell if a surfboard has taken on water because the outer glassing will become discolored or may start to separate from the inner foam core. My oldest surfboard has turned a yellow color and become really heavy. As well, the deck surface has bubbled up and separated from from the inner foam core. Over many years, the board has taken on water and there isn't anything that can be done at this point. 2. Repairs When a surfboard becomes damaged it is a good practice to dry it out and fix it right away. For most bigger dings, where the hard shell of fiberglass or epoxy has been cracked, material will need to be filled in the area to create a strong repair. The material used to fill the damaged area will most likely weigh more than the original construction materials. Although the repair will only add a very small amount of weight to your surfboard, multiple repairs to your board will make the board heavier than when it was first constructed. 3. Wax Wax is used to provide traction on your surfboard. Most surfers will apply wax every session or two and the wax layer will become thicker throughout the year. I will typically remove the older wax layer every six months and start with a fresh application. Some surfers keep the same wax on their surfboard for many years. A thick layer of wax will provide traction and even a bit of protection for your board but it will also add weight. Conclusion Even though this post is about surfboard weight, it isn't the only factor that determines whether a surfboard is good or not. Most surfers I know don't pay much attention to weight at all. They are more focused on surfboard dimensions and feel. It might sound funny but a common method when shopping for a surfboard is to hold it under your arm and use your senses to "feel" if it's the right board for you. Trust yourself! If you are curious about the weight of wetsuits, click on the link to check out my post titled, Wetsuit Weight: How Heavy Does a Surfing Wetsuit Make You?

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