What is the difference between epoxy and foam surfboards

They are also a lot more flexible, something that has yet to fully be matched with EPS foam. Most poly boards will be more fragile then epoxy because epoxy material is harder than poly. Epoxy boards, on the other hand, are much lighter, making them the perfect board for airs or quick turns. Epoxy boards also tend to be a better option for beginners as they are lighter, float better, and are more difficult to ding.

EPS foam is also more environmentally friendly than polyurethane because it can be recycled and re-purposed. There is no wrong or right choice when selecting a surfboard—do your research and decide what is the best fit for you.

Before investing in a board of your own, consider renting or demoing to find your best fit. If you are a beginner surfer or just need some more progressive tips but are scared to use a hard surfboard go check out why Foam Surfboards are our number one board to use! We have a wide fleet of boards to choose from and are happy to answer any questions you might have. Poly or epoxy, the choice is yours.

The other type is Polyester resin, which is used on PU surfboards. In Clark Foam, the largest blank manufacturer in the world, closed down suddenly. This caused a rupture in the surfboard foam business, and many people started manufacturing their own. As smaller establishments started upping their production scales and fulfilling the demand, so there was a small gap for epoxy surfboards to fill the emerging space.

Epoxy surfboards comprise an expanded polystyrene Styrofoam ESP foam core, coated with an epoxy resin, the only resin compatible with this foam blank. Fiberglass surfboards are also known as PU surfboards, the regular boards that most surfers grew up with.

These surfboards comprise a polyurethane inner, which is then wrapped in fiberglass cloth and sealed with a polyester resin. There are many differences between the handling characteristics of an epoxy surfboard vs a PU surfboard. A PU surfboard has more flex but is easier to ding. It can also snap back into shape better than a PU board, which tends to form cracks and delamination lines when put under stress.

Epoxy boards are so much lighter, so they are excellent for high-performance surfers. They also have more float irrespective of volume and tend to fly over flat sections of waves. They are great small wave boards.

Having said that, PU surfboards sit lower in the water, with a lesser density. Many surfers prefer this and prefer to sink a rail as opposed to feeling disengaged with the water. On the other hand, not many people have the option to have many boards for all conditions. Competent older school surfers definitely prefer to turn off a rail and feel connected to the water and the wave. One of the most significant differences between Epoxy foam and the PU blanks is that the PU has a different density, while the epoxy is consistent.

Take away too much foam off the top, and you run the risk of producing a board with a soft deck, easily damaged underfoot. Although EPS surfboards might not be the weapon of choice for ultra-steep and fast-breaking waves, they definitely perform well in mushier, small, or medium-size surf. As time went by, surfboard manufacturers started exploring its potential, especially for the high-performance market.

This advanced foam alternative offers increased flex memory, high responsiveness, high buoyancy, and outstanding lightness. Let's examine the advantages and disadvantages of epoxy surfboards when comparing two identical models with similar dimensions. Epoxy resin is up to 33 percent stronger than the standard resin used in polyurethane-fiberglass surfboards;.

An EPS board is easier to paddle and will enter a wave faster than a standard fiberglass surfboard;. A polystyrene foam-based surfboard is lighter than a traditional polyurethane foam-based surfboard;. It's the ideal surfboard for older surfers or surfers who are out of shape and still getting back to the waves after a long period off;.

When it comes to waterlogging, the epoxy surfboard's outer shell is more resistant to cracks and fissures. It is not indestructible, but it is pliable, tough, and handles dings better;.

It doesn't deform in the foot placement area like a PU board because the deck is dense and strong;. Building an EPS surfboard uses fewer chemicals and is more environmentally friendly than a standard polyurethane board;.

An epoxy resin surfboard with a polystyrene core is the best choice for wave pools because freshwater is less buoyant than saltwater;. An EPS board offers more buoyancy, is harder to duck dive, and might be too light for some surfers;.

The process of building an epoxy surfboard involves more technology than human touch and is often mass-produced, so customization options are not always possible;. Do you need a ding repair? If so, it might be harder to find someone who can fix your damaged epoxy surfboard;. An EPS surfboard has less flex and memory than PU surfboards, resulting in a stiffer and rigid feel and making it more difficult to turn;.