No matter what type of surfing person you are – a professional surfer or a common backpacker who wants to experience something new. One day, you will find yourself thinking about some type of extreme activity.
I am talking about surfing, about this extreme sport and that it is so alluring. To become a part of the surf cast, you will need not only a swimming suit, but you have to acquire some type of equipment.
That is where the rock bottom appears – in the surfboard. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with numerous types of surfboards and their finishes.
This fact can definitely mess with your head. However, don’t get panicking.
This guide will soothe your suffering and help you to make a suitable choice of board finish.
The process of surfboard creation is quite complicated. Each step is fascinating. But today we want to delve into the finishing phase.
Let’s regard the finish. Once the fiberglass is laminated, a shaper moves to the next stage – the type of item finish. Sanded finish surfboards are usually created by using 60 grit and 100 C sandpaper.
It more or less fills in the gaps left in the board after the lamination phase. It is a must-do step for any item of this type.
The glossed finish is made by applying the type of final resin layer after the sanding. It fills any surface imperfections left by the 100 C sandpaper.
An additional layer of resin causes it to harden completely. It makes the surfboard half-glossy.
If you want to have a type of full gloss finish, a shaper should polish your board with a power buff.
Sandy: pros and cons
First and foremost, sanded finish surfboards are lighter than their opponents because they aren’t polished by an additional layer of resin. This type is cheaper and faster to produce.
The absence of extra resin empowers a surfboard to perform better in the water because it remains as watertight as possible. That is the reason why many professional sportsmen choose this type of polish.
The first disadvantage of a sanded finish is that within a little period, it can start taking on water, and it becomes heavier.
It means that it is more likely to have damages and dents. Your surfboard won’t be with you as long as you may want it.
One more disadvantage of this type is that the sanded finish surfboard is more sensitive to diminutive garbage in the ocean and it is often difficult to get rid of it.
Glossy: pros and cons
This type of finish adds your surfboard an extra-protection against any dings and helps to avert the water absorption your board finish could face over the years.
It will not only add weight to your surfboard of approximately one and a half pounds but will increase your expense due to the type of additional coat resin and extra work.
A glossed finish surfboard will be $75 more expensive.
One more advantage is an aesthetically pleasing look. The colors of the finish will remain bright and it will not deteriorate with time as sanded surfboards usually do.
As a rule, such boards are used by the beginners or travelers to take some nice pictures with a type of perfect glossed finish board.
Applying the information above, we can highlight the advantages of different types of finishes relying on the following criterion:
| Duration of use | Weight of the board | Look of the board | Price | Service | Performance | |
| Sandy | + | + | + | |||
| Glossy | + | + | + |
The choice of finish is up to you. The type of surfboard you will choose cannot be right or wrong.
However, this guide will help you understand better the world of surfing and be prepared next time you decide to buy a new surfboard. Moreover, you can ask local surfers for advice to decide which type of surfboard – glossy or sandy – will suit you the most.
All in all, only 10% of your success in the water depends on the surfboard. Your professional skills formation is determined by your desire and devotion.
