Surfboard Buoyancy Testing

Surfboard buoyancy testing was introduced as a way to give surfers a better idea of the board they were purchasing. Curtis Courian developed the concept of a testing method to determine buoyancy measurements and then created a chart to help rate boards. This was to help surfers match their height and weight to the optimal board buoyancy.

  1. The Impetus

    • Many surfers would suggest that no two boards feel the same. Even surfboards that are the same length and width can yield entirely different performances. One significant reason for this is the difference in buoyancy. Before buoyancy testing, there was no way to quantify this measure. By giving each board a buoyancy rating, surfers can better choose the appropriate board for their height, weight, experience level and preference.

    The Testing Method

    • Curtis Courian submitted a patent for a testing method to determine board buoyancy. It involves a water tank in which the board is submerged. A gauge measures the amount of force required to completely submerge the board as it is pressed down with a foot lever. The board is attached to the force gauge with a nylon strap. A locking strut is used to hold the board in the submerged position while a reading is taken.

    The Benefit

    • The benefit of surfboard manufacturers adopting the buoyancy rating is that the consumer has a better idea of the performance of the board he is purchasing. It can be hard to distinguish between boards of the exact same dimensions because they can behave differently. Curtis Courian and his surfboard buoyancy testing company found that there is a direct relationship between a surfer's height and weight and the optimal buoyancy in a board. If not matched appropriately, his performance can be hindered.

    Reasons for Variability Among Boards

    • There are several reasons that boards of the same dimension can have different buoyancies. The main factor is the material the boards are made out of. Boards constructed from epoxy composite will have a different buoyancy than those formed out of hollow carbon fiber. In addition to this, although machines have taken over the majority of the steps of reproducing surfboards, some parts of the process must still be completed by hand. This often causes differences between boards manufactured to be the same.