If a common person considers his surfboard, he means whether the wax on it is in the right condition. New layer? Crest?
We usually don’t think whether the upper part of the surfboard can be different and whether it influences its work. However, it does.
In someone’s opinion, designers are busy enough with trying to adjust shapes for common parts of the surfboard such as a strip alongside the board or the shape of its nose.
However, some fellows are ready to work on the deck shape changes as well. They propose variants of how to receive firmer decks that are thinner, easier, and more sensitive.
Notwithstanding that there had been lots of shape-changing options giving inventors more opportunities for volume handling, most people hadn’t paid any attention to them.
But everything changed when Kelly Slatter (the world-known professional surfer now) won the most popular surf competition in the world called Pineline Masters in 2008 using quite a short surfboard, 5 ’11’ ‘ (1.8 m) long only.
This event made everyone look at the shapes of surfboards in a different way. Many approaches appeared for clearing the deck from the foam without volume loss.
Lately, we have seen the new variants of shapes that are miles away from traditional ones.
Chris Gallagher, the surfboard designer, has invented one of the most interesting deck shapes called the “step deck”. There is a noticeable crossing of the rails and the special stand where you can keep your foot while making a step.
He affirms that such a surfboard pulls better, has excellent speed, and is easier to be controlled. He also says that the deck firmness and absence of incline help a surfboard to conquer waves more successfully.
There is also a so-called “D-flat” shape deck invented by Steve Boysen. He’s the owner and founder of the SB Surfboards label.
As it’s mentioned in the report on Transworldsurf.com, we can see the removal of the sphere-shaped part from the middle of the surfboard to the sides.
This surfboard shape is slimmer, has more incline and, as a result, provides a more dynamic feeling. It’s not as risky as on the surfboards we used to surf, though the surfboard can be broken in the center due to the lack of firmness.
There are different variants of deck shaping. It’s interesting to know that there are people who can make so many different kinds of deck shapes.
All we need is to choose which shape we like.
So, the main reason for the appearance of different shapes in the upper part of the surfboard is removing foam without losing the volume. Diverse variants of deck shapes put forward a variety of volume and rails regulation modes.
Let us get acquainted with the following types of decks which are the most popular these days.
The first one is the dome deck.
This shape gives more volume moved to the middle and less to the rails. The latter are slimmer to weaken the flotation.
Such a kind of shape makes it easier for a surfer to control a surfboard.
The other variant is the flat deck.
The rails are sharper and more squarish with less plumpness. The upper part of the deck is flat with an additional volume on the sides.
It’s invented with a more raised incline for a hotter feeling.
The lowest part of this deck shape is quite unsteady and can be easily broken. If the edges are too massive, this will prevent a surfer from water-logging them when it’s wanted.
The last shape we will talk about today is the step deck. It has slimmer rails. Volume and firmness are added.
It’s a stronger surfboard with better rowing characteristics. It gives an unforgettable opportunity to hit the waves and fly through the air.
