Epoxy surf board? pros vs cons?

Question

im a very noob surfer and would like to know the pros and cons of an epoxy board? vs the usual fiberglass? if im not mistaken. i live in LA and would also like recommendations on where to get a board and wet suit. thanks.

Answer 1

Rez gave a very technical answer but I'm not sure that's the answer a "noob surfer" is really interested in, I dont think.

So here is my take noob...

Pros-

*lightweight and stiffer than standard fiberglass boards which results in a more responsive/maneuverable board.

*more ding resistant, makes it longer lasting.

*generally proven/tested shapes that are replicated exactly.

Cons-

*expensive, a Channel Islands Tuflite Flyer is almost $700

*dings suck water - they say that it is a closed cell foam and that water does not seep through BUT from personal experience and friends have seen it suck in WAY more water than fiberglass boards.

*stiffness of board does not do well in choppier conditions.

I love them as my all around shortboard and even some longboards.  However my bigger wave boards 6'8" and up are still fiberglass...

Answer 2

So many new technologies to choose from now.  Here are the basics:

Polyurethane: Your typical surfboard material.  Hand shaped foam cores are covered with traditional fiberglass and polyester laminate.  Since the Clark Foam incedent, new blank manufactureers producing superier products than before.  These technology won't be dying anytime soon.

Polysterene: Boards are hand shaped and glasses using epoxy resin.  Made much like Polyurethane boards - the core is Polysterene.  It's lighter and stronger than polyurethane.

EPS or Expanded Polysterene Foam: Think Tuflite construction.  It's made from the same stuff in your styrofoam cup believe it or not - probably the most popular "epoxy" board sold right now.  With a properly shaped EPS board, it will ride better than a regular board.  Some say it feels too corky or stiff - then that shaper needs to shorten the stringer and use different laminate mateterial.  If it feels to corky, thin the board out.

Carbon: Don't buy unless  you are super rich.  I still can't justify a 1200 board w/o ever riding one first. :)

There are more technologies out there but this coveres the basics.

At this point I wouldn't be focusing on material at this stage unless your are environmentally concious.  Newer technologies tend to be more envirenemnt friendly than older technologies.

By the time you ARE ready to choose based on this criteria, there will be many more options available.  With the closing of Clark Foam, we've been seeing a lot of new and somewhat confusing technologies arising but it's all good as far as I'm concerened.  

I still have a few of my boards custom shaped by local shapers but I'm not against trying new technologies out.  If it's better for the world, surfs better, and is stronger and lighter  - why not?

Oh yeah, if you are just starting out and and are on a budget - your best bet is craigslist.org.

Answer 3

If your just starting out I would not recommend an epoxy. Real epoxy boards are really expensive and the cheap epoxy ones are c**p. I think the cheap ones are just a regular board covered with epoxy. Why bother? Get a good custom board; they're worth the investment if you plan to really become a surfer.

Where to get a board and wetsuit? Find any surfshop. Just think about the kind of surfing you want to do. Longboarder, for just cruising the wave, power surfing, where you just shred the wave(Yeah!); hippy fish surfer, etc. Ask yourself this: What inspires you to surf?

Answer 4

Rez's answer is really good, but I thought I'd add just a few words, partially because I disagree with Guy O.  I don't think epoxy would necisarily be a bad first board.  A new polyurethane board is about $550 nowadays, and epoxies are no more than $600... not that much more.  A first board should be used anyway.

Material choice is so personal, and as a beginner you don't feel a difference between flex or weight anyway, so why not get something that is stronger?  If you could find a used tuflite fish I think that would be THE perfect learning board.

That said, for the particulars on the pros and cons of different materials, Rez has the answers.