ENTROPY RESINS: How Does A Surfboard Shaper Design Boards To Inspire Surfers?
Over the years, the industry has undergone evolution, significantly altering board designs and sourcing bio-based materials like resin.
Located on the stunning Welsh coast, JP Surfboards has crafted numerous boards over time. They have led the way in constructing adaptive boards for individuals with disabilities
How are Adaptive Boards Made?
The first adaptive board build came from Surfability, the first adaptive and inclusive surf school in Wales. With the build requirements differing from your standard board, it began with templating by hand rather than using the CNC machine in particular because of the sheer size of the board required for this build.
Considerations for the Build
Taking into account weight adjustments, and the thickness of the board, these characteristics were going to prove a crucial part of the build for the board to perform optimally in the water.
With the board looking to be around 12ft long, 34 inches wide and 6 inches thick with slight adjustments, the board needed to incorporate two surfers, so having a longer board was really important. For additional strength, the surfboard shaper added a stringer, along with a much thicker board than your standard, for the board to keep afloat and take any wave.
Materials and Shaping Process
Working on the best methods, JP Surfboards sourced bio-based materials including Entropy Resins for wet laying the board, an important part of the shaping process. We used a high-density foam for durability. We have proven this foam to be of lightweight material, which is beneficial considering the weight the board needs to support, especially with the addition of a seat
With the build complete, it was ready to take to the water. What a great way to honour the inspiring surfers taking to the water with their new board than to do so on camera! Children In Need featured the board heading to the water with its new owners for the first time.
JP Surfboards’ Contributions
Many people, including paraplegics and individuals with partial use of their legs, now use these boards. The creators tailor each board to the individual and their needs for getting on the water.
Not all of John’s customers need a seat added to their board. However, when adding a seat, it’s essential to distribute the weight properly. This ensures the surfer enjoys a smooth and thrilling ride on the waves without any instability.
With the amazing work, John and JP Surfboard do to bring surfing to those disadvantaged, some surfers have now taken their passion for surfboarding to competitive levels competing internationally in events such as the ISA Adaptive Surfboard World Games.
How Does Attending a Surfboard Shaping Symposium Benefit Surfboard Shapers?
John and his son Tom attended the 2022 surfboard symposium getting stuck in with a carbon fibre board build and mastering the art of vacuum bagging using Entropy Resins.
The symposium proved very valuable to the surfboard shapers who attended sharing their expertise and common scenarios, “We are experiencing the same similar problems” says John, “it’s in our business what we do, we tend to share our problems, if we didn’t share info we wouldn’t learn as much.” Attending the symposium, One technique that now means John can expand his business further to make or repair automotive parts, and marine parts “now jobs come in, now we can do that no problem” John mentions.
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