Surf Boards
Thursday, February 18th, 2010Surf Boards
Surfing As A Sport Of Kings
Surf boards and surfing have come a long way since they first gained popularity in the mid 1800's.
Originally the sport of royalty, surfing has actually been around since the 6th Century but in its modern day form it gained status as a lifestyle symbol around the 1860's. It is thought to have originally made its way to Hawaii from the Polynesian Islands around the middle of the 18th Century.
Two Hawaiian princes studying in the US showed their surfing skills to the locals in North America and the sport took off from there. Their surf boards would have been primitively moulded from solid wood, sanded with granulated coral and stained with bark or charcoal before being finished with glossy nut oil. Problems with original surf boards like this were that they weighed close to 150lbs and acted like sponges once in the water.
Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic swimmer from Hawaii, demonstrated his skills on a surf board while on a visit to Australia in 1865. This went down a storm with Australian's who have always been famed for their love of the outdoor life, and the style of surf boarding now known to the Western world was born.
The surf board has evolved over the years from the original solid redwood plank, through composite wood, lightweight balsa wood and fibreglass to today's virtually perfect design constructed from polyurethane foam and fibreglass.
Very few changes have been made to the make-up of the board since mass production began in the late 1950's. In the beginning, long boards of up to 16' were popular but not so manoeuvrable. Shorter boards enjoyed a surge, being built around 6' and 8lbs lighter. These were much faster and easier to navigate than the more cumbersome 16 footer.
Minor changes have been made to surf boards over the years but mostly ones that are optional. Some lift has been added to the nose and fins were also added for stability. Although you can now buy surf boards with fixed fins, it is more common place to buy attachable fins. This gives the surfer the option to experiment with where fins are placed depending on the type of wave they are riding.
Surfing has now advanced to a point where different waves and different riding styles call for a different type of board to gain the maximum speed and agility, thus the maximum adrenaline rush. Choices consist of double concave bottom, vee bottom, rounded square tail and swallow tail as well as different lengths.
One of the best inventions that all surfers rave about is the surf board leash. A simple device where the board can be strapped to the surfers ankle but it is one that makes the life of a surfer so much simpler. Before this, he/she would have had to wade into shore to retrieve the board after every wave.
Custom paint jobs on surf boards are big business with some very extreme designs that you can either pay a surf shop to apply for you or, if you are feeling artistic, purchase some spray paints or water based paint pens and get creative yourself. Covered with a protective clear top coat these designs will last a long time but can always be sanded back and re-done if you get bored.
Sex wax is a surfers product, not anything like it sounds! It is a wax that can be applied to the board where you would normally put your feet and hands to prevent slipping. However, some surfers prefer to use deck grip as an alternative. This is a stick on pad that removes the need for constant waxing.
Initially a sport for men, surfing has taken off worldwide and has a large female following. Not just as groupies for the surfer dude's but now as serious competitors themselves. It has also spawned a whole fashion scene for men and women, from wetsuits and beachwear to hats, hoodies and shoes. It has also brought about a sound financial business in hair care, particularly for the women who don't like to constantly have surfers hair.
About the Author
Surfing expert Catherine Harvey looks at the way surf boards have changed through the years. To find out more please visit http://www.transsurf.co.uk/
 |
 vintage hobie surfboard longboard 10 ft BARN FIND 60s  US $380.00
|
 Authentic Jacks Surfboard shop sign from 1988 US $300.00
|
 5 11 Geoff McCoy Lazor Zap Surfboard Tuf Lite US $202.50
|
 6 10 Channel Islands Surfboard Mongrel Model Firewire US $289.99
|
 Dewey Weber surfboards surfing sticker surfer decal US $6.00
|
 ole surfboards surfing surfer vintage sticker decal US $6.00
|
 Dewey Weber surfboards surfing sticker decal surfer US $6.00
|
 Vintage Yater surfer surfing sticker decal surfboard US $6.00
|
 510 Channel Islands Retro Fish Surfboard Brand New US $420.00
|
 SPYDER 9 FOOT LONGBOARD SURFBOARD 9 GREAT CONDITION US $163.50
|
 Lincoln City surf shop surfboard Sticker decal oregon US $4.00
|
 Surf Board Ocean Gear custom long board 7 4 US $225.00
|
 VINTAGE GORDIE SURFBOARD STICKER LONGBOARD US $4.00
|
 Nuuhiwa Dyno surfboard vintage sticker decal surfing US $6.00
|
 lincoln city surfshop surfboards surf sticker oregon US $6.00
|
 Quiet Flight Surfboard Summer Squash 61 US $300.00
|
 lincoln city surfshop woody wagon surfboard sign Oregon US $29.00
|
 WOODY`S LONGBOARD OF HAWAII US $6.00
|
 WOW VINTAGE MICHAEL SEARLE SHARK SURF BOARD COLORFUL US $9.99
|
 BEAR SURFBOARDS SURF SURFBOARD BEACH S S SM L XL 2X US $18.49
|
 AL MERRICK CHANNEL ISLANDS SURFBOARD 63 W FCS FINS US $157.50
|
 Plans for 8 Hollow Wood Longboard Surfboard w Instruct US $10.00
|
 TOES NOSE HAWAIIAN SURF SHIRT XXL 2XL Surfboards Print US $29.78
|
 Donald Takayama 910 DT 2 Longboard Surfboard US $560.00
|
 Surfboard longboard rack black holds 5 wall mount US $42.00
|
 Harbour Surfboard Longboard fin skeg 95 Blue US $30.00
|
 Surfing With The Duke BIG Old surfboard Art Print US $49.99
|
 62 Neil Cormack MADDOG Thruster surfboardLeggycover US $144.85
|
 Surfboard NEW 76 Mini Mal Minimal surf poxy Fins US $136.70
|
 BILLABONG 63 VW PICKUP SURF BUS CUSTOM 1 24 CODE 3 US $45.22
|
 Vintage 6 Thruster Surfboard Brazil Shaped Rare Good US $144.85
|
 Quiksilver 62 Surfboard US $500.00
|
 Surfing with the Duke Old surfboard Art Print US $24.99
|
 RARE RANDY LEWIS ONEILL 60 QUAD 1983 DEC SURFBOARD US $100.00
|
 3 6 WOOD SURF SURFER SURFING BEACH SURFBOARDS W FIN US $.99
|
 64 Xanadu surfboard EXCELLENT CONDITION SAVE$$$$$ US $325.00
|
 SURFBOARD wall mount display hanger rack BLK LOST US $15.98
|
 AL MERRICK 63 SURFBOARD WITH GLASS ON FINS NR US $44.99
|
 surf board 7 6 gun US $50.00
|
 SURFING ACTION V2N6 Dec1969 Mike Doyle Huntington Beach US $2.95
|
 Custom HIC surfboard US $300.00
|
 New Da Kine Surfboard Traction pad JORDY SMITH US $10.00
|
 VINTAGE RICK BECKER TWIN WOODEN FINS FISH 1978SURFBOARD US $100.00
|
 Bing Rick surfboards surfing vintage sticker decal US $6.00
|
 5 SURF stickers surfing skate FOX board beach volcom US $3.44
|
 Donald Takayama surfing surfboard longboard tee shirt US $20.00
|
 Plans for 92 Hollow Wooden Longboard w How To Guide US $10.00
|
 Tuflite 2 Surftech STRETCH 63 quad US $102.50
|
 2 VINTAGE SURF BOARD PATCHES Z GORDON SMITH US $23.28
|
 Surf Board Lighthouse Woody Beach Scene Tin Sign 1277 US $7.18
|
 Volcom BS surf surfboard poster new US $.99
|
 FCS surf surfboard fins K fin 21 set new US $20.49
|
 SURF BOARD FLECKS BRAND USED 83 INCHES US $99.99
|
 SURF BOARD HORNITOS CUSTOM BOARD WITH FINS 79 US $149.99
|
 Vintage Style GREG NOLL SURFBOARDS Sticker US $5.99
|
 Rare WARDY SURFBOARDS Sticker US $12.99
|
 JACKS SURFBOARDS Sticker Surf US $6.99
|
 Rare SURF RIDER Hawaiian Music LP Record SIGNED Surfing US $12.99
|
 Rare OLYMPIC SURFBOARDS Sticker US $9.99
|
 SHARK WARNING Tin Sign Surfing Beach Surfboard Decor US $4.01
|
 |
New 6' Foamie Board Surfboard Surfing Surf Board Perfect for beginners List Price: $94.95 Sale Price: $84.95 Average Rating:   |
|
You are viewing a Brand New 2010 Release 6' Surfboard. We just purchased over 200 of these boards directly from the manufacture. This board is guaranteed to be of the highest quality or your money back no questions asked... |
 |
New 48" Fiberglass Skimboard Skim Board Surf Ocean Body Board List Price: $64.99 Sale Price: $64.99 |
|
You are viewing a Brand New 2009 Release 48" Fiberglass Skim board. We just purchased over 200 of these boards directly from the manufacture. Buy from us and save big! Over 50% off retail. Fiberglass with foam core skim board High Quality Skim board Professionally handcrafted Nose and tail rocker for maximum speed and spin tricks Contoured shape for increased maneuverability Dimensions: 48" Length X 20" Width Suggested weight limit is 160lbs Brand New in Retail Packaging Retails for $199... |
 |
New 6' Foamie Board Surfboard Surfing Surf Board Perfect for beginners List Price: $94.95 Sale Price: $84.95 Average Rating:  |
|
You are viewing a Brand New 2010 Release 6' Surfboard. We just purchased over 200 of these boards directly from the manufacture. This board is guaranteed to be of the highest quality or your money back no questions asked... |
 |
Wham-O Boogie Ripster Surfboard Sale Price: $34.75 |
|
Wham-O boogie ripster surfboard 40 feet EVA surfboard; Durable phuzion core; single removable fin; surfboard inspired graphics |
 |
Wham-O Boogie Ripster Pro Surfboard Sale Price: $38.10 |
|
Surfboard Inspired Graphics |
 |
Yo Baby Kick Flipper Indoor/Outdoor Snow Surf and Skate Practice Training Board w/DVD - Purple Sale Price: $14.99 |
|
With Its Revolutionary Award Winning Design, the Purple Yo Baby Kick Flipper Practice and Training Board by GarageCo Toys, Provides A Fun, Safe Way To Learn All The Hottest Snow, Surf and Skate Boarding Moves, Without Ever Having To Get Cold Or Wet... |
 |
Black Panther 37 Inch Body Board Boogie Surf Sale Price: $16.99 |
|
This 37 inch long body board is perfect for those just starting out! Made of foam, with a nylon covering, featuring a black panther print, the body board has a 10 inch wide nose, a 13 inch wide tail, and is 18 inches at its widest, so it has lots of surface area to allow you to carve the waves... |
 |
Blue Hibiscus Flowers 37 Inch Body Board Boogie Surf Sale Price: $26.99 |
|
This 37 inch long body board is perfect for those just starting out! Made of foam, with a nylon covering, featuring a blue and white hibiscus print, the body board has a 10 inch wide nose, a 13 inch wide tail, and is 18 inches at its widest, so it has lots of surface area to allow you to carve the waves... |
 |
Blue Hibiscus Flowers 33 Inch Body Board Boogie Surf Sale Price: $23.99 |
|
This 33 inch long body board is perfect for those just starting out! Made of foam, with a nylon covering, featuring a blue and white hibiscus print, the body board has an 8 inch wide nose, a 13 inch wide tail, and is 17 1/2 inches at its widest, so it has lots of surface area to allow you to carve the waves... |