How to Keep a Homemade Longboard From Snapping

Creating a longboard at home is a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a professionally manufactured board. Using a homemade longboard poses certain risks in the water, just like any other surfboard. Damage to surfboards usually occurs from the lip of the wave. When the surfboard is hit by the lip, the board is put under pressure, causing it to snap. Although snapping a board is inevitable, some proper surfing techniques will make your homemade longboard last longer in the waves.

Instructions

    • 1

      Familiarize yourself with the location prior to surfing. Locate piers, rocks, cliffs and anything else that could cause damage to your longboard. Look for rip currents in the water. If you are unfamiliar with rip currents, ask the lifeguard on duty about current conditions.

    • 2

      Learn the "eskimo roll," and practice it when paddling out to the waves. When approaching a wave, paddle hard, then flip the board upside down and hold it down underwater with your weight. Come back to the surface when the wave has passed. This technique helps avoid exposing the longboard to the lip of the wave.

    • 3

      Avoid leaving your board behind when you wipe out. Instead of kicking your board away or diving into the water, lie down on your board with a straightened body. This technique prevents the board from being exposed to the pressure from the lip of the wave.

    • 4

      Control your board after the wipeout. Locate the board as quickly as possible. Grab the nose with one arm, and hold it through approaching waves.