Surfboard Construction Types

What is the difference between surfboard blank types?

There are plenty of different Surfboard Construction Types on the market, but what is the difference between them? We've compiled an extensive list of construction types that are available to select on Boardcave through our different manufacturers. Different surfboard blank types can affect the way your board performs so it's important to understand the difference between each one before you buy.

Check out our Australian shapers to find which manufacturers use different blank types during their surfboard construction process and use the patented Board Engine to find the right surfboard for you today.

PU (Fibreglass)

Polyurethane (PU) construction uses an industry standard foam combined with a wooden stringer that is more dense then Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), providing a smoother ride with additional flex.

PE (Epoxy)

Polyurethane Foam with Epoxy Resin is an upgraded version of your traditional PU board with a high grade wooden stringer and laminated using fibreglass cloth and an exclusive epoxy resin. It is proven to be 5 times stronger with a lively flex pattern, also helping reduce yellowing over time. Please Note, Epoxy surfboards can take up to 4 weeks longer to manufacture.

EPS (Epoxy)

EPS foam is lighter and more durable then traditional PU. Epoxy resin is stronger and less prone to dings and pressure dents. Please Note, Epoxy surfboards can take up to 4 weeks longer to manufacture

EPS (Epoxy) & Carbon Wrap

The Carbon Wrap focuses on the flex pattern of a surfboard, allowing for additional stiffness through the nose of the board. However, with the carbon spaced out between the feet, it gives the tail extra spring with quick response and more force.

FutureFlex

FutureFlex is a parabolic carbon fibre frame, that is constructed within the board. Designed to maximise speed and drive, whilst maintaining a flex pattern for smooth release and flow. The structural design of the frame minimises twisting of the board, which results in a board that is less likely to snap and crease. Please note, Futureflex does take longer to manufacture.

201 EPS Epoxy

201 standard EPS epoxy technology consists of a lightweight EPS blank with a timber stringer, epoxy resin and a slight blue tint, keeping the board whiter for longer. Please Note, Epoxy surfboards can take up to 4 weeks longer to manufacture.

SPC Construction

SPC Construction uses a polyurethane blank (PU) combined with Black Carbon rails and no traditional central wooden stringer. High quality polyester resins are used in the laminating process and the rails are embedded with a premium carbon material known as the parabolic rail. This unique process is proven to produce longer lasting durable surfboards. The parabolic carbon rails allow the boards to flex faster and true, creating an S dynamic alive feeling.

Velvet Steel Carbon Wrap

New light weight, strong and multi flex carbon wrap construction by Misfit Shapes, offering extra flex and response for stringerless boards.

SUPERflex

The SUPERflex technology has no stringer with a carbon fibre net across the bottom of the board and carbon fibre rails for a lightweight lively feely. SUPERflex has a unique flex pattern that offers quick release for high performance surfing.

Rusty EPS

The Rusty EPS Black Diamond construction combines a stringerless EPS core, unique Carbon Fibre reinforced rails and bottom with Epoxy resins. The reinforcement combines a 1 ounce diagonal strand with Nylon bi-axial vertical and horizontal strands. This combination creates a light, strong board with a lively flex pattern.

201 Tri-Flex

201 Tri-Flex consists of carbon fibre rods inlayed along the EPS foam deck, acting as the boards stringer, providing strength, while carbon rods inlaid around the foams bottom rails allow for twist and flex.

GeoBlank Tech

GeoBlank Tech construction delivers a lightweight , strong, responsive core with amazing POP. Positive load and release outcomes deliver a high performance flex variable through the core. Stringerless EPS foam with a honeycomb pattern for strength. This construction can increase manufacturing time.

PU & Carbon Strip

As mentioned above, PU foam is more dense than EPS, providing a smoother ride with additional flex. This construction options also includes a carbon strip on the bottom stringer of the board for additional strength.

PU & Carbon Tail

This lightweight PU blank is more dense than EPS, providing a smoother ride with additional flex. This construction option also includes carbon tail reinforcement for additional strength.

Magic Fibre

Magic Fibre is exclusive to Eye Symmetry Surfboards and uses a stringerless EPS construction with an aramid fabric wrapping across the deck and over the rails and two carbon strips on the bottom for added strength and less pressure dints. Magic Fibre boards are very light and strong.

Belly Channels (PU)

This option adds belly channels to the existing Polyurethane (PU) construction which uses an industry standard foam combined with a wooden stringer that is more dense then Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), providing a smoother ride with additional flex.

Linear Flex Technology (LFT)

LFT incorporates the use of Epoxy Resins and EPS foam cores to optimise flex and improve performance. This is combined with an internal 18mm wide Nose to Tail Aerospace Composite Springer HD to further optimise flex increasing performance.

Future Shapes Technology (FST)

FST combines the iconic Parabolic Balsa Rail controlling flex and preventing rail dings with a high density aerospace composite foam finished with a fibreglass and epoxy resin. This construction creates an extremely high performance and durable surfboard.

Epoxicore (DHD)

EpoxiCore is a construction method used by DHD Surfboards to offer superior weight distribution to improve rail performance and reduce the speed "chatter". is the result of addressing the positive attributes of both traditional fibreglass and epoxy construction.

To learn more on the benefits, see the DHD Epoxicore article.

X-Core Reactor

X-Core Reactor has unique arching uni-directional carbon fibre stringers the x-core reactor provides optimal flex in both nose and tail which creates speed and drive while maintaining the board's strength and integrity underfoot. The premium grade EPS foam core is cut using the patented arching formula and laminated back together with the choice of high or low mesh military grade carbon fibre. READ MORE.

Still have questions?

If you didn't get the answer you're looking for, review our related article on PU or EPS, Which is best? or ask an expert:

Click Here To Ask An Expert